Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-07-27
"DICK To DICK" Denounced
BY PRESIDENT TAFT IN HIS
Message TODAY TO THE SENATE

nit it, not only for the reason that 1t
| is not now on the files of the depart
ment, but for the reason that it never
was on the files of the department, at
least as an authentic document. Who
is really responsible for it's wicked
fabrication if it ever existed, or Tor
the viciously false statement made as
to it's authenticity, is immaterlal for
the purpose of this communication.
The purport OF the postscript is, and
the intention of the fabricatOr was,
to make Mr.. Richard S. Ryan testify
through it's words to the public that
although | was at first opposed in the
public interest to granting the elm
ination which he requested, neverthe-
less through the undue influence of
my brother, Mr.. Charles P. Taft, and
the disclosure of the real persons in
interest, was induced improperly
and for the promotion of their pri-
vate gain, to make the order.
Utterly Unfounded.
stronger evidence of the falsity
and maliciously slanderous character
of the alleged postscript could not be
had. Its only significance is the light
it throws on the bitterness and venom
of some of those who take active part
in every discussion of Alaskan issues.
The intensity of their desire to be-
smirch all who invest in that district,
and all who are officially connected
with it's administration, operates upon
the minds of weak or depraved human
instruments and prompts the fabrica-
ton of such false testimony as this
postscript. l dislike to dwell upon
this feature of the case, but it is so
full Of lesson that ought to be taken
to the heart of every patriotic citizen
that l can not pass it over in silence.
when l made this order l was
aware that the condition of public
opinion in reference to investments in
Alaska, famed by charges of fraud.
some we'll founded and others of an
historical and unjust or false char
acter-would lead to an attack upon
it and to the questioning of my mo-
tives in signing it. l remarked this
when l made the order, and l was not
mistaken. But public officer, when
he conceives 1T his duty to take af-
firmative action in the public interest,
has no more right to allow fear of un-
just criticism and attack to hinder him
frof taking that action than he would
to allow personal and dishonest mo-
tives to affect him. 1t is easy in cases
like this to take the course which
timidity prompts, and to do nothing,
but such a. course does not inure to
the public veal.
ION the other hand, the acrimony
of spirit and the intense malice that
have been engendered in respect of
the administration of the government
in Alaska and in the consideration of
measures proposed for her relief and
the wanton recklessness and eager
ness with which attempts have made
to besmirch the characters of high Of
ficials having to do with the Alaskan
government, and even of persons not
in public life, present condition that
calls for condemnation and requires
that the public be warned of the de-
fertilization that has been produced by
the historical suspicious Of good PEG.
pie and the INSCRIPTIONS and corrupt
Misrepresentation of the wicked. The
helpless state to which the credulity
Of some and the malevolent scandal
mongering of others have brought the
people of Alaska in their struggle for
its development, ought to give the pub
lie pause, for until juster and fairer
view be taken investment in Alaska,
which is necessary to it's development,
will be impossible, and honest admin
istrators and legislators will be de-
tered from the advocacy and putting