The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-10-06
THE INTERESTS" IN 1904.

supposed that the Morgan interests we're opposed to
him, and that he never knew Of Mr.. Morga1s contrib
uting to his campaign that year until Mr. Morgan
himself told IT in testimony Thursday, he recalled
many memories to a review Of political conditions in
1904
What Colonel Roosevelt then presumed to be the
attitude Of the so-called interests, exactly what
the vast majority Of people supposed. And, broadly.
it was the fact The truth about the alignment in
that fight has been obscured by the bitterness and
the calumnious charges that have been banded ever
since, beginning with the accusations which Judge
Parker voiced but failed to substanate, in the clos
ing days Of the campaign The facts when even
casually recounted and reviewed. completely justify
his surprise at learning that Mr.. Morgan had con-
tributed for him.
First, let it be remembered that despite his
promise Of following out the Mckinley program Mr..
Roosevelt aroused the enmiy Of the big business
politicians and business interests. When the time
was approaching for the 1904 pre-convention fight,
Hanna was the candidate Of these disafected ele-
mepts He was supposed to have, and did have, the
backing Of those same elements in the Republican
party that in 1912 stole nomination. They expected
and intended to nominate Hanna. Their fight was
formally opened at the 1908 State convention in
Ohio, where it was planned to withhold any indorse-
ment of Roosevelt for 1904. When Roosevelt
learned of he was his Western tour and prompt
ly countered by sending the famous Walla Walla dis
patch, saying that this was as good a. time as any
to have his friends and enemies line up, show their
colors and start the fight That telegram was enough
Its challenge broke the power Of opposition and
Ohio did ndorse Roosevelt.
II became apparent that there was no chance to
defeat Roosevelt for the Republican nomination.
Senator Hanna died. Roosevelts strength with the
country was overpowering. Then the interests
turned to the Democracy as they did this year when
they believed Roosevelt would be nominated by the
Republicans -
The result was the lavshly financed campaign
for Parkers nomination. Mr. Bryan has testified
amply the extent Of that backing by the interests
which put Parker over at ST. Louis. Messrs. Belmont,
Ryan, and their associates lined up for Parker.
They did nominate him, and they tried desperately
to elect him.
Every man whose political recollection goes back
to 1904, will recall without difficulty the general un-
derstanding that the big powers Of business and
finance we're behind Parker. Mr.. Roosevelt had
estranged, as he supposed and as everybody else
supposed, the Morgan interest by his beginning and
vigorous prosecution Of the Northern PaciRc-Great
NorthernB Burlington merger dissolution suit. He had
interposed in most unprecedented manner to end
the anthracite strike, and he understood just as the
whole country understood that Mr.. Morgan resented
that action.
At that time, too, he had had preliminary brush
with the Standard Oil interests, which had greatly
angered them. They had been insistent in opposing
the creation Of the Bureau Of Corporations, and had
sent urgent kilograms to a number Of Senators,
opposing it. President Roosevelt got hold Of some
of these, and published them. This aroused gen.
eral public resentment against such interference,
made men fear to vote as the Standard interests had
demanded, and forced the passage Of the measure.
That was the status of relations between Roose-
welt and the large Interests" at the opening Of the
1904 fight. The interests" we're universally under
stood to be against Roosevelt, and we're just as uni
versafy understood to have brought about the nomi
nation Of Parker q.
Now, what was their real attitude? Cornelius N
Bliss had been treasurer of the Republican commit
tee in 1896 and 1900. He occupied the same posi-
ton in 1904. The testimony shows that the fund he
raised in the latter year was only fraction of that
which was raised for Mckinley in the two earlier
years. 1t is testified that the great financial con-
Germs Of New York gave to the Mckinley campaigns
with practical unanimty, but fnat in 1904 only few
of them gave to the Roosevelt campaign.
Big business, as fact, was divided in 1904 Most
OF it was for Parker More Of it was for Parker,
early in the campaign, when there belief that he
had chance, than later, when it became apparent
that nothing could stem the popular tide toward
Roosevelt. Big Business loves winner and when
it got its eye on the winner it accepted the inevitable
and some Of its elements lined up for him.
BY doing so, they hoped-as the Penrose-Arch-
bold testimony makes clear-to placate the man
whom at first they had purposed to beat In this they
did not succeed and hence the real grievance. They
hoped that contributions to a campaign that 60
ing to win anyhow would induce more amiable
attitude toward them. They found, after the election
that their hopes vain. Mr.. Roosevelt proceeded