Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-24
RoosEvELT's STATEMENT.
Continued from Page one.)

Gel Roosevelt's statement follows
In the first place, | wish to call at
tention to the fact that even if Mr.
Archbolds statements are true. they
amount only to saying. so far as | am
concerned, that Mr. Bliss told him /
had knowledge of and approved a re-
quest for 100000 from the Standard
Oil Co., which was granted, and a
further request for $150,000 which was
not granted. This is a pure hearsay
statement, and even if made in good
faith would be utterly valueless.
Not only did l never know anything
OF such a request being made, but
my published letters and kilograms
show that when the rumor that there
had been a contribution reached me.
| acted at once, reiterating my de-
nand again and again that the money
should be Immediately returned if Il
had been given and being assured by
Mr.. Cortelyou that the money had
not been received and would not be
| received. Therefore, even on the as
sumption that Mr.. Archbold is telling
the truth. his testimony, so far as
am concerned, consists of the repeti-
ton Of hearsay assertions which were
instantly disproyed by the produc-
tion of my letters and kilograms, |
/ wish to reiterate that until Mr.. Pen
rose made his speech, 1 never had
heard it suggested that Mr.. Archbold
lad contributed to the campaign or
be the means through which any con-
tributions had been made.
But I do rot for one moment be-
lieve Mr. Archbold s testimony is
truthful. He apparently possesses such
a moral stand that he does not under :
stand the infamous accusation he is
making against Mr.. Bliss. Mr.. Bliss
is now dead. But during the seven
years that elapsed before Mr.. Bliss
| death after Mr.. Archbold claims he
made the contribution in question, Mr.
Archbold never brought up any state
ment of this kind
He now says that Mr.. Piss warned
| him that he was making a serious
| mistake in not contributing the extra
money and that later on, when the
administration began to deal with the
STANDARD Oil people, Mr.. Bliss said it
would have been different if they had
| done as he asked them.
'"rhis is an assertion that MI Bliss
/ was dttlpti6ltiS iiS HIS W
| the standard Oil into contributing, by
| scarcely yelled threats as to what
| would happen II they did not contrib
ute. and that Mr.. Bliss in effect, told
| them afterwards that If they had con-
trbuted the administration would not
have proceeded against them for vi
| olating the law-for this was all the
administration did.
"This is a wicked assault on a dead
| man whose high standing and probity
| was such that no human being who
| was himself honest would ever impute
evil motives to him. Mr.. Bliss was in
capable of conduct such as Mr.. Arch
| bold imputes to him. And | cannot
| too strongly denounce the baseness of
making such an attack upon an hon
| orable man who is now dead and
| whom Mr.. Archbold never ventured
| to assaiI while living.
| Moreover Mr. Archbold shows per-
| fectly clearly as published reports
| say that his corporation had contri-
buted in order to get value for its
| gift and that the gift was made with
| the expectation of receiving improper
consideration.
| Il do not for one moment believe
| Mr.. Bliss made any such remarks to
| Mr. Archbold as Mr.. Archbold says,
| For example. Mr.. Archbold states that
| he and the late III. III. Rogers visited
me az the White House and that
| then remarked to them that there had
| been some criticism about campaign
| contributions This is a falsehood.
Neither on that occasion nor ON any
| other occasion was one word said
! by me to Mr.. Archbold or by Mr..
| Archbold to me about campaign con-
tributions. Mr. Rogers and Mr.. Arch
| bold called ON that occasion to pro-
test against any government action
being taken against the Standard Oil
| Co.
This was one of 81 number of calls
Mr.. Archbold made on me to try to
| prevent action against the Standard
| Oil co. by the bureau of corporations
under the department of the interior
| and by the department of justice. If
Mr.. Archbold had really believed Mr..