The Washington times., 1912-09-03
COLONEL ROoSEvELTS ANSWER TO
PENROSE'S CHARGES.

Mr. Roosevelt's promised statement in answer to
the Penrose and Archbold testimony concerning
campaign contributions has been made public. 1t is
long. 1t was printed on holiday when people were
less inclined than usual to devote time to a study
of an issue of this The chances are, therefore,
that the letter will not be widely read as it would
otherwise be.
There is another reason why the controversy be-
tween Colonel Roosevelt and his enemies on this
point will not be as eagerly followed as might be
expected. People have largely made up their minds
about it one way or the other.
The charge against him is that he either had al
hand in a plot to backmail the Standard Oil, or,
knowing the plot in progress, that he purposely
refraned from active participation in it so that he
could profess ignorance in event Of exposure.
This, in brief, is the disreputable thing Colonel
Roosevelt is accused Of doing
1t is true that even Mr.. Archbold admits that,
when the time came to ask favors in return for the
campaign contribution so far from getting consdera-
ton from the Roosevelt Administration, the Stand
ard Oil Company was subjected to severe attacks.
But this is explained the ground that the Admin
istration was provoked because more money not
forthcomng
Those who believe that Colonel Roosevelt could
be guilty of such abominabe conduct the strength
of the Penrose-Archbold testimony-testimony which
plainly proves they could talk and think about politi
cal blackmal as if it were ordinary incident Of
political life-w not be convinced by anything he
says to the contrary. On the other hand, the thous
ands in and out Of the Progressive party who have
followed Colonel Roosevelts course and who long
ago made up their minds that, matter what other
faults he may have, ne is free from the suspicion
of being personally dishonest or politically corrupt,
do not need this letter to refute the Standard Oil
charges.
II the charges were to be submitted to the sort
of tests that ordinarily applied, one would think
the statement of Mr.. Bliss--the accuracy of which
is attested by the New York Herad-woud be suf-
fcient to relieve Mr. Roosevelt of completely in much
that was done in the way of raising money. Mr.
Bliss said:
His orders in regard to campaign contributions were
ignored, it recognized that this was something
about which he must not interfere, and brooked no
interference.
But, of course, those who don't wish to be CON-
vinced will merely say that Mr.. Roosevelts ignorance
of what was done was part of the game to let him
escape responsibility.
1t is worth while, however, for those who are
still weighing the evidence to bear in mind that those
who are seeking to injure Colonel Roosevelt make
little of the fact that corporations contributed to his
campaign fund. At that time corporations contrib
uted lavshly to the campaign funds of both parties
1t was the customary thing and the law did not for
bid it. The whole falls to the ground unless
there is belief in a corrupt alliance between Colonel
Roosevelt and these corporations.
Shorn of its irrelevant trimmings, this is what the
attack on the Progressive leader means. Those who
are making it are not quite bold enough to say
actly what they getting at but unless they can
read into the matter base motive their assault is
futile
One interesting fact in Colonel Roosevelts letter
is the promise that there will shortly be made public
full account of all the money spent in the late
Presidential primary in his behalf. We shall then
see what truth there is in the charge so stouty main
tanned that the enthusiasm for the former President
at that time was manufactured, bought by the money
of wealthy advocates of Colonel Roosevelts nomina-
| ton