The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-10-05


man matter.
Il call your attention especially to the
letter of October IL. 1904" he began,
(which contains the phrase practical
men. which has been accepted by men
who themselves evidently identify prac-
improper significance. My consistent
effort in politics has been to secure the
triumphs OF the practical man who IL
also an idealist and a decent man. my
effort in politics has been to build up a
party Of practical men who shall be men
of the highest standard of integrity
Though i most abhor vicious man, |
dislike almost equally. because l regard
as almost equally noxious, the man who,
however good his ideals, IL impractical
and can do nothing decent in politics
because he is impractical, and whenever
an effort is made to show that the word
practical implies in the user some i'm
proper motive ! always regard 1t as a
severe moral reflection on the character
OF tho man who makes the accusation
or Implication"
This was the first time the Colonel had
ever given an explanation Of his famous
practical men" letter. The letter runs
as follows. being dated October IA. 1904:
A suggestion has come to me in round
about way that you do not think It wise
to como on to see me In these closing weeks
of the campa zn. but that you are reluctant
to refuse mas much as l have asked you.
Now. my dear sir. you and ! are practical
men. and yor are on the ground and know
tho conditions better than do.
Remember" added Mr.. Roosevelt
"that the word practical there had refer
ence to, and could only have reference to,
Hartman & being reluctant to refuse to
visit me for fear my feelings would be
hurt as had asked him to come" Sc.
Then Mr.. Roosevelt read another sen-
tenoe from the letter:
II you think there Is any danger OF your
visit to me causing trouble. or If you think
there is nothing special | should be in
formed about. or no matter in which !
could give aid
Il call your attention" Mr.. Roosevelt
inter rjected again, "to the fact that there
is not hint or suggestion of my getting
aid. but it was as to whether | could give
aid.
Again the witness resumed the letter
where he had left off,
why of course give up the visit for the
time being. and then few weeks hence
that is, after the election--before ! write
my message shall get you to come down TO
discuss certain Government matters not
connected with the campaign.
you will see." said the Colonel his
voice vibrating. that that letter is abso-
lutely incompatible with any theory
that l was asking Mr.. Hartman to come
down in my own interests or that | in
tended to make any kind of request for
that had nothing TO ask of him and that
all ] cared to see him about | could see
him about just as well after the election.
No Reference TO Hartman Aid.
.In Mr. Harriman's subsequent letters
to me and in his previous letters TO me
and my letters 10 him as laid before your
committee you can see that there is
never a reference to my getting aid from
him in any shape or way.
Il had written that letter to Mr.. Harri-
man. and presume after he had received
II. because il was six days later. on Octo-
ber 20. Mr.. Hartman tclegraphed Mr.
Loeb TO call him up on the telephone
Mr. Loeb came 10 me and told me Mr.
Hartman wished To see me about the
State campaign in New York. that il was
running badly, that he believed that Mir
Higgins. the Republican candidate for
Governor, would be defeated if some
thing was not done. and that he wished
10 see me.
Through Mr.. Loeb ! made the ap-
pointment with lTr. Hartman. This
was made al Mr.. lIarrinan's request. "A
request made by teleGraphsand telephone
TO Mr.. Loeb Mr. Loeb was present
during either all or most of the inter
view. There was no possibility of any
misunderstanding during that interview
no possibility. ! mention that fact
because | have seen we'll meaning but
rather flabby persons say there may have
, been misunderstanding between Mr.
| Hartman and myself There was not
and there was no room tor a misunder-
standing. Mr., Hartman had the con
versation with me1that | have detailed
| in my letter to the committee
| BY this time Mr. Roosevelt had become
thoroughly aroused. Perspiration was
! streaming down his face and the stenog-
raphcrs were suffering from cramps
Mr. Roosevelt paused to wipe the steam
| from his glasses and mop mis- brow.
Hartman the seeker, He says.
AT that time, n fortnight before the
election, he continued, every one knew
that the national campaign In New York
was in such a state that | was certain
to carry New York There was n doubt
whether Higgins could or not. Mr.
Hartman was close To Mr.. Odell, who
was managing MIR liiggins's campaign
Mr.. Hartman stated in substance to mo
that he had 10 have moro money for that
campaign and that ] would have to ask
Cortelyou or Bliss to help him out. because
they were not helping him out. and after
some conversation with him | turned 10
either MIR, Bliss or Mr., Cortelyou, forget
which, and state what MIR Hartman had
said and ask If il would not bc possible
To help MIR. Hartman out. Hartman
| had stated that he had borne so much
of the expense that he could not bear any
more and must receive some help, and Mr.
Loeb called up either MIR. Bliss or MIR.
Cortelyou and ] subsequently, called up
! one or the other ] think the answer
that received in each case was that they
would see what could be done
Il wish to call attention 10 the fact. "
continued Col. Roosevelt. that Judge
| Duell, who was assistant treasurer to
Mr.. Bliss. and Mr., Sheldon, who had some
connection with Mr. Bliss's committee
both of thcm have testified to your com
mittce and that Mr. Bliss in a statement
in the Nen York H'rGid, all lstatccNpliCit "
that the money waS not raised 10y Mr.
Hartman for the national campaign that
| it was raised through Mr. Bliss to holu
out Mr.. Hartman in tho State campaign
I Col Roosevelt continued To show con
siderable feeling over the Hartman CON
tribution charge He banged his fiat
on the arm of the chair and declared tnai
| his lottcrS alone showed there was not a
shred Of truth in MIR, Harrman's y state
mcnt.
/ Il never asked Mr.. Hartman, direct "
or indirectly, for u dollar 10 help in that
or any other campaign in which | waI
con nCerned," declared the witness
Col Roosevelt added that Mr.. Harri-
man told him the National Committee
| that Mr.. Hartman wanted To obtain foI
/ . h.. ant tt,., ,ti,