The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-21
Thomas F. Ryan TeStifies Be-
fore the CIapp Committee
Regarding Campaign COntribu-
tfOnS He Made in 1904.
HE WAS OPPOSED TO PARKER
And Was Convinced He Could
Not Be Elected.
Was Merely DESTROYS of Hold
ing the Party Together.

Washington, Oct. 21.-Thomas For
tune Ryan was the first witness to-
day before the senate campaign con-
tribution committee. Others sched-
uIed to testify were George W. Per
kins and Peter Hoban, James A
Campbell. Charles f. DrOworth, Harry
:. Calvert, John H. Nugent, Fl. b.
Nesbitt and Robert Hight, the latter
seven called in connection with the
Flinn-Penrose political controversy IN
Pennsylvania. Mr. Ryan first told the
committee that he shouldered $S5O'0Oo
of the debts of the Democratic ma
tional committee in 1904.
Early in the campaign" he said,
Il gave $4,000 to the fund, although
I was opposed to the nomination OF
Judge Parker. I gave probably $50
600 in smaller contributions. When
the end of the campaign was draw
ing near and it was quite apparent
that Mr.. Parker could not be elect
ed. some of my friends came to me
and told me the campaign would COL
IaDse unless the committee received
financial assistance. L finally agreed
in order to pay the party workers
and preserve the integrity of the par
ty TO furnish $350,000- This made a
the campaign. This was personal
contribution and did not represent
any one except myself. 1 did not give
the money to elect Parker. merely
wanted to preserve the Democratic or
ganization."
In reply to questions concerning
the preconvention campaign of 1912,
Mr. Ryan said he had contributed be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 to Cover
nor HarmOn's campaign and more
tn TTn6PT-
woods.
when I came back from Europe in
1911 I made up my mind that the
prospects of Democratic success were
very bright" he said. Il thought any
Democrat except Mr.. Bryan could be
elected and was willing to aid any
other man. He had led the party 70
defeat three times and L regarded him
as the only cloud on the horizon.
He Favored No One.
II had no special interest in AIRY
one but I had known Governor Har-
mon of Ohio for % years and believed
he would make a good president 1
gave his managers somewhere be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000. Later on
my friend. Senator Bankhead, man
sge.r for Mr. Underwood, came to me
with an argument in favor of a south
ern man for president. That appealed
to me and 1 gave him thirty-odd
thousand dollars. 1 was not asked -
-
have given them assistance If 1t ha6
been requested
Mr.. Ryan said that before Parker's
nomination he was convinced he could
not be elected.
George W. Perkins was the next
witness. He gave his occupation as
retired working man."
Asked as to the campaign of 1904
Mr.. Perkins said that he was asked
by Treasurer Bliss to take a place as
her nj a ltteR
New York to aid in collecting funds
for the campaign Il worked IN New
York. said Mr.. Perkins, with Mr..
Bliss There were similar commit
tees in Philadelphia, Pittsburg, BoS-
ton and Chicago
Mr.. Perkins flatly denied that he
knew of any concerted political action
by the financial interests in Wall
street He said that as he remem-
bered it. he gave $4,000 or $4,000
to the 1904 funds.
whenever Mr.. Bliss would get
short or funds would run low he said
he would make a contribution of So
600 or $40, 900"
Chairman Clapp asked what contri-
buttons Mr. Perkins knew of outside
his own.
''I was connected with the New
York Life Insurance company and 1
know of that cOmpanys constirbu-
tions,' said he.
Justifies His Action.
Mr.. Perkins produced a long state
ment regarding the contributions of
the New York Life Insurance COM
pany which the committee permitted
him to read into the record. The
statement quoted at length from the
testimony of the LATE President Nc
all of the New York Life Insurance
COMPANY before the Armstrong in
vestigating committee to show that the
New York Life contribution was made
to defeat the free 5ilver heresies'' of
w. J. Bryan. 1t was argued that the
money was given to insure the eStab- /
protection of the policy holders of the
company and therefore it was proper
to use the money of the policy holders. |
The witness grew particularly earn
est as concluding the statement he
7 believed at the time and have
always since believed that in this
transaction Mr.. Mccall did exactly [
right that he would nave been un-
true to his trust, weak AMI cowardly, /
.ad he taken any other course.
There is no question that the thor !
oughly unscrupulOuS dasta~cly attacks |
upon Mr.. Mccall by certain portions |
of the sensational press OF che country /
brought about his untimely death; yet, !
it is a most significant fact that in all /
this criticism of both him and me, not |
4 single policy holder. so fer as 1 am 1
1Ware out of the many thousands in 1
ietter or criticism o. complaint of /
what he did, either TO Mr. Mccall or !
myself. Without any Jaw or regula- |
ton to guide us impressed with the /
firmly believing that the Democratic |
party was advocating financial the orieS !
which. ie enacted Ito laws. would /
most seriously affect tae assets of the /
--olio holders. both -dr. Mccall and |
tfd our duty as we saw it,
Mr.. Perkins said for the insurance ]