A Pretty Scandal.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 14, 30 September 1908, Page 9

A Pretty Scandal.

President Roosevelt, in the course of a speech on September 22, attacked Senator Foraker and Mr. C. N. Haskell (Governor of the State of Oklahoma and Treasurer of the Democratic National Fund)- for bitterly opposing all reforms proposed by the Government. Tbe President added: “Mr. Hearst’s exposures strikingly justify the Administration’s actions, and cast a curious sidelight on Mr. Bryan’s friends’ attacks on the Government.’’ Mr. Bryan declares that Mr. Haskell, in his capacity as the treasurer of the Democratic National Fund, is willing to appear before any tribunal President Roosevelt names. Mr. Bryan is willing that he should do so, and declares that he must oust Haskell from his office as treasurer if the President, after investigation, supports Mr. W. R. Hearst’s areusation that he is the servile tool of the Standard Oil Trust. Mr. C. H. Haskell, president of the Democratic National Fund, in an interview concerning the President’s allegations, has given Mr. Roosevelt the lie direct. President Roosevelt, in reply to Mr. Bryan’s challenge, declares that Mr. 0. H. Haskell, Governor of the State of Oklahoma and treasurer of the Democratic National Fund, is a disgrace to the nation, and is totally unfit to hold a public position. He cites his former record as a company promoter in Wall-street, and describes him as a corrupt official and a tool of the Standard Oil Trust. The Democrats profess tremendous indignation at President Roosevelt’s persistent interference with the election, and declare that the gentleman he wishes to succeed him (Mr. Taft) is only “Roosevelt’s tame cat, or Man Friday.” The New York “Evening Post” complains of President Roosevelt’s undignified attitude in plunging into an ignoble election row. The Standard Oil Trust state that the letters that Mr. Hearst published regarding payments alleged to have been made to certain politicians were, with many others, stolen. Mr, W. R. Hearst has published additional letters in his newspapers showing that eminent Republican and Democratic politicians tendered their legislative services to financial corporations upon the basis of financial support. The disclosures have evoked frantic expressions of public disgust. Senator Foraker, -who was first accused, declared that Mr. W. H. Taft (the Republican candidate for the Presidency) consorted with Standard Oil magnates, and that President Roosevelt’s conduct since the charges were made indicated that he had a guilty conscience. The Democrats accuse Mr. Cornelius Bliss (treasurer of the Republican National party), on behalf of Mr. Cortelyou (ehairman of the Republican National Committee) of levying a contribution of £20,000 upon Mr. Henry H. Rogers and Mr. John Dustin Archbold, representing the Standard Oil Trust, on the understanding that the administration of the anti-Trust Act would be less harsh towards that corporation. The Democrats admit that President Roosevelt directed the committee to return the money, but declare that the money was spent nevertheless, and a little later the Standard Oil Company was requested to furnish £50,000 more. Mr. Rogers declined to accede to the request, intimating that the company had never revceivcd back the £20,000, and ho accused Mr. Roosevelt of knowing that that sum was not only accepted but was used. Governor- Haskell has resigned the treasurership of the Democratic National Committee and the Governorship of Oklahoma. He denies that his resignation amounts to an admission that the accusations made by President Roosevelt and Mr. Hearst, that he is the creature of the Standard Oil Trust, are correct.