The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-25
ROOSEVELT SCORES HASKELL.
President Replies to Bryan's Chal-
lenge-Says Oklahoma Executive
Unfit for Public Service.

Washington, September 23.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt tonight, following up
on a prolonged conference with men,
bers Of the Cabinet at the White
House, prepared and gave out his re-
ply to W. J. Bryan, the Democratic
candidate, relative to sWm. R..
Hearst's s charges that Governor Has,
kell. treasurer Of the Democratic cam
paign committee. has represented
Standard Oil interests, both in Ohio
and Oklahoma. Mr.. Bryan had de-
manded proof Of the charges, prom
a: ising that in the event Of their sub
sanitation Governor Haskell would
be eliminated from the campaign.
Dismissing the Ohio case, which in
volved an allegation Of attempted
bribery.with the explanation that
he had made no direct charge against
Governor Haskell as regards that
particular instance, President Roose-
welt takes up the matter Of the
Prairie Oil and Gas Company, and
argues that Governor Haskell's ac-
ton in stopping legal proceedings be-
gun by the attorney general Of Okla
homa demonstrates conclusively that
he was controlled by the great cor
poration to which the Oklahoma COM
pany was subsidiary.
After contrasting Mr.. Bryan's de-
fence of Governor Haskell as against
Judge Taft's repudiation of Forak-
er in connection with the Hearst
charges the Ohio senator the presi-
dent proceeds to declare that Cover
nor Haskell's "utter untitness for
association with any man anxious to
appeal to the American people on
moral issue' has been abundantly
shown by other acts Of his as COVER
nor Of Oklahoma. The president con-
demns Governor Haskell's conduct in
connection with various matters as
disgraceful and scandalous, and calls
especial attention to what he describ-
es as ''prostituting to base purposes
the State University"
Fresh Charge Against Haskell.
This fresh charge against the GOV
ernor rests on an article in the Out
look. from which the president quotes,
and which. he says. forces the con-
clusion that governor Haskell is un-
worthy Of any position in public life.
The latter portion Of Mr.. Roose-
velt s deliverance is devoted to crit
icisms of Mr.. Bryan's plea for regu-
lating the trusts. which he character
ICES as a measure that sounds more
radical than any advocated by the
Republicans. but which in practice
would not work. Concluding. Mr..
Roosevelt declares that no law DEFY
ing corporation has anything to fear
from Mr.. Bryan "save what it would
suffer from the general paralysis of
business which would follow Demo-
cratic success.
The president spent almost the en-
tire day in getting the letter in shape.
An hour was given this morning to
making a rough draft Of it, which
was submitted to Secretary Garfield
and Postmaster General Myer, both
Of whom made suggestions as to por-
tons Of the communication. About 3
O'Clock this afternoon all the mem
bers Of the cabinet in the city, Secre-
taries Wilson, Straus, Wright, Met
calf and Garfield and Postmaster
General Myer, met with the president
in the cabinet room at the executive
Offices for a conference on the SUBJ
iect, which lasted until 5 o'clock.
Two hours more was required to make
certain minor changes before Secre-
ta.y Loeb gave it to the press. Deem
ing the reply too long to be sent by
wire. the method Of communication
NJ. BRYAN had employed IN his chal-
lenee to the president. it was for
warded BY mai! to the Democratic
candidate at Lincoln. Neb-