The Calumet news., 1912-09-30
PROTECTED CAMPAIGN DONORS
Records as Put in Evidence Show
Little of Real Value, Books
Being Destroyed
HEARINGS ARE RESUMED TODAY

Washingtn, Sept. 30.-The Senate
subcommittee renewal Of the inves-
tigation of presidential campaign con-
tributions today. marked the begin
ming of hearings that are expected To
bring many leading hnanciers. politi-
clans and candidates TO the witness
stand in the next two months.
Ormsby McHarg, contest manager
for Roosevelt at the Chicago conven-
tion, who organized the south for the
Colonel, was present when the COM
mittec convened. His story of the pre-
convention campaign. and contests ne
managed for Taft in the 1908 cam
paign, is expected tot be the chief tes-
timony.
Cornelius n. Bliss. Jr.. was the first
witness. He said he was executor
of his fathers estate.
Have you found any papers bearing
on the campaign funds handled by
your father? asked Chairman Clapp,
He said the records did not show
any contribution by John ID. Archbold
or the Standard oil co. Members OF
the committee examined the records.
which were placed in jevidence by
Bliss. No names OF contributors TO
the 1907 campaign fund apeared in the
records
Bliss read his fathers letter Of re-
signation TO Harry S. New. The letter
set forth that the late Mrs. Bliss held
confidential the names Of contributors
and the amount Of their contributions.
"In the last four presidential cam
paigns in which I acted as treasurer
persistently refused TO make these
reports public" the letter read. "be-
cause I regard the relations OF cam
paign contributions TO the party's COM
mittee confidential believe the right
to refuse to make public these con-
tributions as sacred as the right of
man 10 secret ballot at election"
The letter added that the Republl
can committees receipts in 1900 were
"trihe below three millions. in 1896,
three and one-half- millions. and 1892.
one million, six hundred thousand.
Roosevelt Taft Letters.
The witness said he discovered
three other letters of a personal and
more or less intimate nature" These
were handed to Clapp. one was from
Roosevelt, and another from Taft. as
secretary of war. The committee
suspended the inquiry a few minutes
while the members read the letters
privately. The letters were then
placed in the record as exhibits. They
were not read aloud and the contents
were not divulged.
Bliss said he had no other docu-
ment and no recollection OF any con-
versations with his father which
would throw any light on the sub
jects under investigation.
Later. however. the contents Of the
two letters became known. The Taft
letter was written May G. 1904. and
urged the late MIR, Bliss to take the
championship, saying Roosevelt was
most anxious" for it. adding that as
chairman Bliss would Secure the con-
fdence Of those from whom contribu-
tions may be expected" The letter
from Roosevelt. dated the same. also
urged him to take the place.
Substantial portions Of the three let
ters to Mr.. Bliss We're finally made
public. Two were of no particular in
terest The third dated March II.
1906. written by Roosevelt from the
white house to Bliss. made specific
denial he ever had been Influenced for
or against any persons or interests as
the result OF contributions to the 1904
campaign.
The witness said his father had told
him he had allowed the books In the
treasurers Office OF the national COM
mittee TO be destroyed. because he, the
elder Bliss. believed the records use
less. They contained the names and
amounts OF the contributors. Since
his fathers death he had destroyed a
great many papers left by the elder
Bliss
Il know nothing 7 destroyed could
assist this committee declared the
witness.
A s-examination failed TO shake
(Continued on Pace Five.)