The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-10-02

{ question Of it and ask whether any
one will accuse such men as YOU, Gov
ernor Hughes and Mr.. Taft Of being
influenced by contributions. That is
not the question. If it is found that
a party to a suit has given sum OF
money to one of the jurors the court
does not stop to inquire whether or
not the puror is an incorruptible man.
or whether in accepting the money he
explicitly stated that it was accepted
with the understanding that he was
under no obligations to consider it In
making up his verdict. The court
would hold that the giving Of money
by any interested party or the receiv-
ing Of money was a contempt OF
court and an interference with the
administration of justice. Public Of
ficials occupy much the same position
as jurors. They are constantly call
ed upon to decide questions between
the favor-seeking corporations on the
one hand and the people on the other,
and there is very general impression
that officials of these favor-seeking
corporations do not put up large sums
Of money from purely patriotic mo-
tives. Mr. Havemyer' testified before
a senate committee some years ago
that the Sugar Trust made it busi-
ness to contribute to campaign funds,
and that it was its custom to give
to the party in power in the State.
Absolves Roosevelt, Taft and Hughes
."I do not mean to say that Mr..
Hughes was influenced by the contri-
buttons made to him by the trust
magnates whose names we're given in
the after-election report. [ 90 not
mean to say that you we're influenced
by the contributions collected by Mr..
Hartman, neither do [ mean to say
that Mr.. Taft will be influenced
by the contributions that are being
made to his fund by the trust mag
mates; but I do mean to say that the
American people have right to know
what contributions are being made :;
that they may judge for themselves
the motive Of the givers and the obi
CATION imposed upon those who re-
ceive. The reflection upon the peo-
pie involved in your charge that they
would misuse the knowledge which
publicity would give is unworthy Of
one who has been elevated to so high
an office by the votes Of the people,
and T venture the assertion that you
cannot procure from Mr.. Taft an en-
dorsement of your defence. He is now
before the people; he is offering him.
self as candidate for the presi-
dency; he dare not tell the people to
whom he appeals that they have not
sense enough to form just and cor
rect opinion as to the purpose which
leads parties interested in special leg
islation ito make big contributions.
You fear that we would misrepresent
the motives of those who are contri-
buting to the Republican campaign
fund, and cast an unjust suspicion
upon Republican candidates if the
names and amounts we're made known
before the election. Your argument,
if sound, would prevent publication
after the election, for why should an
Funjust suspicion be cast upon Off
eials after the election any more than
before? Does not the secrecy before
the election increase this suspicion
We are going to give you an oppor-
tunity to misrepresent the, motives OF
those who give to our campaign fund,
and to arouse all the suspicion you
cam; we are going to prove to the
people that we are making fight for
the whole people and not for those
who have been enjoying privileges
and favors at the hands Of the gov
ernment, and We expect that the hon.
est sentiment of the country will re-
buke the party whose convention re-
fused to endorse any kind Of public
ity and whose candidates are not
willing that the people should know
until after the polls are closed what
predatory interests have been active
in support Of the Republican party.
With great respect, etc., yours truly.
"W. J. Bryan"