New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-17
New Yorker Admits Giving at
Least $250,0O0 to Cam
paign Fund for 1904.
DOESN'T REMEMBER TOTAL
Tells Senators He Expected No
Reward, No Favors and No
Special Legislation for
Any Interest.
from The Tribune Bureau. ]


addition to some smaller sums given at
various times. was not too high. He
could not remember the exact figures.
Beyond his own contributions Mr., Bel
mont's memory was very uncertain He,
like the other managers Of the Demo
cratic campaign who have been sum-
moned before the committee, expressed
the oIsnion that Charles Hall. assistant
treasurer of the national committee,
would know something about the indi-
vidual contributions. but Mr.. Hail cannot
be found by the committee and his where
about are unknown TO the Democratic
leaders who have testified
William r. Sheehan, member OF the ex-
ecutive committee in 1904, will appear be-
fore the committee on Thursday.
The extent TO which Mr.. Belmont pro-
ducAd cash TO pay the deficits facing the
Democratic campaign managers almost
startled the Senators. Senator Jones,
who questioned Mr.. Belmont asked II
| his contribution amounted to as much
| as $4,000. Mr.. Belmont thought It was
! more.
Astonished at the Figure.
1
! Belmont each time making the Same re-
ply. At length Senator Jones, apparently
thinking 1t would save time TO start at
a high figure and go down. asked II 1t
we're as much as S25o000. To the amaze
Inent of everybody Mr.. Belmont said he
was willing TO have the estimate stand
though he could not remember accurately
Mr.. Belmont told the Senators of one
contribution from a man representing a
corporation which he said was refused
ay his committee in 1904 1t was offered
by the late Henry Havemeyer, the sugar
king, and was declined because 1t was
thought undesirable. The contribution
was $4,000. he thought,
The Senators wanted to know how Mr..
Belmont came to give $2SoOoO TO the Par
ker campaign. He explained that he had
contributed when deficits occurred.
',My habit has been" said he, that II
feel responsible for anything my obliga-
ton is not measured in dollars and
cents"
Mr.. Belmont told first Of advancing
$4,000 to the Democratic National Com
mittee. He said he had been reimbursed
$4,000
that way" he explained. They ask for
advances and then begin to raise funds,
later they reimbursed me. so that the
balance Of $500 only was contribution"
Generally Gave Cash.
Did you contribute by cash or checkr'
Senator Jones asked.
VERY often by cash" Mr.. Belmont re-
piled.
And check" queried Senator Paynter'
Seldom by check. cannot remember
the exact amount, but arm satisfied with
an estimate Of $4,000"
Senator Jones asked Mr.. Belmont how
much he contributed in addition TO the
1000 given 70 the national campaign.
The witness replied he always contributed
10 the campaign in his own locality and
10 the state campaign. He was not able
to tell how much that made in addition
70 the $4,000.
DO you care to give any reasons why
you contributed SO large sum- IN
CURED Senator Jones.
'I was very active in the nomination
began Mr.. Belmont, "and had been
nalocted TO serve on the committee. and
when funds did not come In just con-
+ributed. ! never intended to make any
such contribution. but when deficits
arose contributed"
Mr.. Belmont was asked II he had any
understanding OF reward from Judge
Parker, the Presidential candidate.
From the very outset Judge Parker
was a free and independent man, and
remained co." was his answer.
Did you expect any favors?"
ION the contrary. Judge Parker I'M
derstood from me that there "oulo De
nothing I could accept was very much
interested in the campaign and contlput-
ed purely as a Democrat
Nor did you expect to have any special
legtslation?" Senator Paynter suggested.
'None whatever. There was no inter
ct with which I was connected that
could he helped by special legislation
Before your day you had the example
OF q father who was a liberal campaign
contributor, did you not?" inquired Sen
ator Paynter.
'-I did / remember as boy attending
the convention of 1858"
mr. Belmont was unable TO give an &C
curate estimate Of the total OF the funds
at the disposal Of the Democratic com
naittee In 1904. When Senator Clapp asked
n Il were 100000 he guessed" 1t was
not more than 10000 or 10000.
II never asked for the specific amount,
added Mr.. Belmont. You see, these
things are not conducted like business
concern. Keeping accounts is expensive,
and doubt If any committee ever did 1t
before 1t was under obligation TO do So"
Mr.. Belmont produced a memorandum
showing that on March Is 1905, SAT 80 was
turned over to him as the remnant Of the
Democratic war funds. He had then been
selected as treasurer Of the national COM
mittee He distributed $2S, leaving $40 80.
which he turned over on January IS, 1865,
TO w. II. OBrien, treasurer, for the Presi-
dental light.
After telling Of the Havemeyer con-
tribution which was returned Mr. Bel
mont recalled that he had asked Morton
F. Plant for contribution and got
probably $3.50"
Did you solicit money from your
friends and acquaintance? asked Sem
stor Clapp.
Some; yes"
Mr.. Belmont mentioned Mr.. Freedman,
one OF my directors on the INTERIOR
ough". Delaney Nicoll and Mr.. Auer.
bach as men whom he had asked to con-
tribute. He said Wall Street gave little.
who was the most active in raising
funds?" the chairman asked.