The San Francisco call., 1908-09-23

treasurer Of his national campaign
committee"
And YOU add that "the publica-
ton OF this correspondence not
merely justified in striking fashlon
the action OF the administration,
but also casts a curious sidelight
upon the attacks made upon the
administration both IN the Denver
convention which nominated Mr.
Bryan and in the course OF Mr.
Bryan's campaign.
Your charge is so serious that 1
can not allow il to go unnoticed.
Governor Haskell has denied that he
was ever employed by the Standard
oil company in any capacity, or
was ever connected in any way.
with il. or the transaction upon
which your charge is based.
DEMANDS
INVESTIGATION
Governor Haskell demanded an
investigation at the time the charge
was first made. Offering TO appear
and testify. ard he demands an IN
vestigation now. ] agree with you
that IL Governor Haskell is guilty
as charged, he IS unfit to be con-
nected with the democratic ma
tional committee. and l am sure
that YOU Will agree with me that
II he is innocent he deserves TO be
eSonerated from so damaging an
accusation.
As the selection of Governor
Haskell as chairman OF the COM
mittee on resolutions at Denver
and as treasurer of The democratic
national committee has my ap-
prOval and Endorsement. I feel IL
my duty 10 demand an immediate
investigation OF the charge against
him indorsed by the president OF
the United States.
Your high position. as well as
=
vent your giving sanction and cir
culation 10 such a charge without
proof, and / respectfully request,
therefore. that YOU furnish any
proof which YOU have in your pos
session. II YOU have not proof
request that ou Indicate a method
BY which t.ec truth may be ascer-
tanned. Without consulting Mr.
Haskell / viii agree that he viii
appear for investigation before any
tribunal. public or private. which
YOU may indicate. and l viii fur
ther agree that his connection with
the national committee and with
this campaign shall cease in the
event that the decision OF such
tribunal connects him in any way
with the charge, or in case you,
after an investigation of the facts,
say that you believe him guilty
Of the charges made.
OBJECTS TO
MISREPRESENTATION
As the candidate of the demo-
cratic party 1 shall not permit any
responsible member of the repub-
licSn organization 10 mssrepresent
the attitude Of the democratic par
~ during the campaign. ] have
assisted YOU to the extent OF my
ability in remedial measures which
] deemed for the public good, which
you have undertaken: L have urged
democrats to support such meas
ures and 4 have advocated more
radical measures against private
monopolies than either you or your
associates have been willing to un-
deTtake. The platform of the dem
Ocratic party is clear and specific
on this subject as on other sub
jects. while the platform OF the re-
publican party is uncertain and
The democratic candidate for vice
president. Mr.. Kern. Joined with me
In requesting the democratic na-
tional committee to fix q maximum
OF $4,000 Tor individual contribu-
tions and TO publish before the
election all contributions above
S106, and the committee acted
favOrably upon this request The
republican candidate and the re-
publican national committee pro-
posed no publication before the
election. ] submit that our COM
mittee has given the better evi-
dence of its freedom from connec-
tiOn with or obligation to the pre-
datory interests Our committee
has not knowingly received a dol
lar from any corporation known
as a trust. and IL will not receive
any money from such. IL any
money is contributed by such per-
sons without the knowledge of the
committee il will be returned as
soon as the fact IS discovered.
The democratic party is making
an honest and an honorable fight in
defense of the principles and poll
cies enunciated in its platform, and
It expects. and viii demand. fair
and honorable treatment from
those who are in charge of the re-
publican campaign.
With great respect, etc. Very
truly yours,
WILLIAM J. BRYAN.
Detroit. Mich. Sept. %, 1908.