The sun., 1912-07-01
CLARK BRANDS BRYAN
CHARGE AS INFAMOUS


I would consider myself obligated" to those
whom he mentions and that ! would be
under the control OF those influences.
IL would be unbeconing in one holding
| my present official position to express the
| Indignation which ! feel at these vcled
| aspersions upon my character.
| l will say only this. that | an,iashamed
| and humiliated as never bcfor. in my life
| that one who has known me and my acts
for quarter OF century could find il in
his heart to impugn my integrity before
| Thousands of my fellow citizens. As n
Democrat. moreover. jealous of my party $
| reputation and anxious for it's success.
| regret more than l can tell that political or
personal eNigencies should have induced
| such an assault from such a source upon
a Democratic Speaker of the House OF
Representatives.
have never spoken with any one of the
gentlemen TO whom MIR. Bryan refers except
Mr.. Belmont. once at meeting of the Civic
Federation. Neither directly nor indirectly
have l solicited their support. Can Mr..
Bryan say as much for himself? Four
years ago the same Mr.. Murphy was
chairman Of the New York delegation al
Denver but | have never heard that he
spurned the support then rendered him:
on the contrary. has he not sought the aid
Of all New York's Democrats in every one
OF his campaigns? And had not some of
those mentioned by him contributed of
their money and their time in his politica
interests. with his full knowledge and
consent?
But it is not my purpose TO convict Mr.
Bryan of inconsistency. nor have ! any
desire to contrast his conduct with mine.
even though il he possible To do 40 to my
own advantage. ] seek only to make
clear the fact that his sole ground for op-
posing me now rests upon demand that
! refuse to accept support in "A national
convention which he has not only welcomed
but solicited for himself.
! know no reason why ] should insult
the ninety delegates from New York by
refusing to accept their votes. And know
OF no reason why | should try to destroy
the prospects of the Democratic party by
presumptuous and insolent behavior. Some
men seem 10 think that they may win ad-
vantage by such thinIy veiled appeals to
envy and malice | do not believe as they
do. but if | did would not so debase myself
for a thousand Presdencies.
I know that ! do not need to say this to
you. all who know me. 1t distrcsses me
be, ond measure that ! should have been
forced into a position where it seems neces-
sary to say il to anybody.
My integrity has never before been uues-
toned. for the simple reason that never
once during the seventeen years have
served in Congress have ! been subjected
to the test of tempt alton through wrongful
influence in any form. hut whether ! shall
become your designated candidate for
President or not I am your Speaker at a
time when your party il in the crucible Of
scrutiny and | cannot. in duty. permit
these aspersons to pass unheeded.
As Speaker of the House of Re presenta-
tives, as a lifelong Democrat, proud OF my
party. as an American ma. ] pronounce
Mr.. Bryans implied accusations both false
aud infamous.
II ! am speaking the truth with respect
TO this matter, II follows necessarily that
the reasons advanced by Mr.. Bryan for