The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-12-27


between Theodore
Roosevelt and George r. Sheldon,
treasurer sof the Republican national
committee, was made public today:
December Is. 1911.
''The Hon. Theodore Roosevelt Oy-
ster Bay, N. Y.-Dear Mr.. Roosevelt:
Ever since the election Of 1904 the
story has been continually published,
and never denied except by you, that
you asked Mr.. E. H. Hartman to
contribute money to aid in your cleo
ton. and that he thereupon raised or
contributed $250,00O to the national
committees fund. Knowing this to
be untrue, have several times sug-
gested to my superior officer, Mr.. c.
N. Bliss. then treasurer Of the nat
ional committee, that the facts in
the case be plainly stated. Mr.. Bliss
always believed that the books and
accounts OF the national committee
were private, and although always
carried on by him with the highest
sense Of integrity and honor, he new
er, like all Of his contemporaries,
would consent to any publicity. This
feeling has been changed in the past
few years by the laws requiring full
publicity In elections. 1t seems, there
fore. to me that now, in justice to
you, the facts in the case ought to be
known.
Every one knew and conceded
that in the election Of 1904 you would
carry the State Of New York by
large plurality. but it was generally
believed that Mr.. Higgins would be
defeated. The Democrats centered
their efforts on election OF their Gov
ernor. About a week before the
election Mr. 0deli came to Mr. Bliss
and told him that unless he had
$250,000 from the national commit
tee that the State ticket would be de-
feated. Mr.. Bliss told Chairman
Odell that he had no money to give,
but would see what could be done.
He visited Mr.. E. H. Hartman, at
his Office. and explained to him the
urgency of the case as told by Mr..
Odell.
Mr.. Hartman thereupon called up
several Of his friends on the telephone
and next day handed Mr.. Bliss $780,
600. Mr.. Bliss himself raised $780,
600. This sum of $4,000 was hand
ed directly to Chairman Oden and
never in any way went into the treas
ury OF the national committee, which
had in charge the Presidential cleo
ton. l have personal knowledge of
all the within mentioned facts. Very
truly yours,
George r. Sheldon,
Treasurer Republican National
Committee"
1.-The Outlook, 2S7 4th Avenue
New York. December 1s, 1911.
"Office Theodore Roosevelt.-Mr.
George Sheldon, SO Cedar street. New
York.-Dear Mr.. Sheldon: thank
you for your letter and ! am glad
that it was written. There is little
for me 20 add to what you have said.
l never directly or indirectly, in any
shape, way or form, asked Mr.. Har-
dollar TO aid in my election. More
over, on the only occasion on which
Mr.. Hartman ever spoke to me on
the subject at all, he did so of his
own initiative, and SO far from there
being any request from me to him. he
made to me the request that I would
aid him in getting the national COM
mittee to contribute some Of its funds
for the campaign expenses of Mr..
Higgins, the candidate for Governor
in New York State.
"He at the time stated to me that
my own election was assured; that
the election of Mr.. Higgins. in which
he was especially interested. was
doubtful, and that he earnestly hop
ell that the national committees
would divert some of its funds from
the national TO the state campaign,
where the need was great and where
he believed the election of Mr.. HIg-
gins 20 be in jeopardy. As shown
in your letter this was precisely what
the national committee did Very
truly yours,
"TheodoIe Roosevelt"
ROOSEVELT WANTED LETTERS
PUBLISHED.