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NOVEMBER 6, 1908
The Commoner,
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ROCKEFELLER TAKES A HAND
Tho following, telegrams tell the story of
the clqslng h Pure. of tho campaign:
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER'S STATEMENT
New York, October 30. A statement from
John D. Rockefeller announcing that he intends
to vote for William H. Taft for president next
Tuesday, and telling why he will do so and why
he thinks Mr. Taft should be elected, was given
out from the Standard Oil company's office hero
last night. Tho statement follows:
"It seems to me at this time, when the ques
tion is put directly to any American citizen
which candidate he will support by his vote for
the presidency he should be manly enough to
answer it just as directly. I therefore say that
I expect to vote for William H. Taft. If for
no other reason I support Mr. Taft because on
comparing him personally with Mr. Bryan, his
chief opponent, I find the balance of fitness and
temperament entirely on his side. The. election
of Mr. Taft will, I believe, make for law and
order and stability of business. He is not a
man I judge to adventure with rash experiments
to impede a return to prosperity by advocating
measures subversive of industrial progress. The
question of candidates seems to me peculiarly
a' personal one in this campaign, as the leading
orators on both sides have not succeeded in
drawing party lines, as based on platforms, with
any great clearness. I do, however, support the
general republican position on the tariff and tho
currency. I have always been- a republican. I
feel the more impelled to answer this question
because it can not be said that the present ad
ministration has in any way whatever favored
the special .interest to which my life has been
devoted.. --That.however, does not excuse me
from publishing -my- opinion-and doing what I
consider my duty- aB a citizen." . ".
1
MR. BRYAN'S STATEMENT:
Napoleon, O., October 30. William . J.
Bryan gave out a statement here today com
menting upon the declarations of John D. Rocke
feller, '"iriade- in New York .. yesterday that he
would vote for Taft. Mr. Bryan said he was
riPt surprised at the declarations of Mr. Rocke
feller as the. Standard Oil company and the re
publican party have been so closely related tliat
many of their interests are identical. 7 .
Mr. Bryan's statement follows:
"The morning papers publish a' statement
from Mr. 'Rockefeller giving his reason .for sup
porting Mr. Taft. He. says: 'If for 'no other
reason I support Mr. Taft because on." comparing
him personally with Mr. Bryan, his Chief oppo
nent, I find the balance of fitness and tempera
ment entirely on his side. Tho election of Mr.
Taft will, I believe, make for law and order and
stability of business. He is not a man inclined
to rash experiments or to impede a return of
prosperity by advocating measures as subver
sive of industrial progress.'
"There are several things about this state
ment that deserve attention. The first clause
says if for no other reason, but there is already
reason. He is for Mr. Taft because Mr. Taft
is for him. Ho is for Mr. Taft because Mr. Taft
is in sympathy with the trusts. Mr. Taft has
been making speeches for many weeks and he
has not yet dwelt upon the Iniquities of the
trusts or pointed out the injustice done to the
American people by them. No wonder Mr.
Rockefeller is for Mr. Taft.
"Again Mr. Rockefeller says Mr. Taft's elec
tion will make for law and order. This is false.
Mr. Rockefeller's corporation is the most no
torious law-breaker in the United States and
he is for Mr. Taft because he does not want the
law enforced. If he thought that Mr. Taft
would enforce the law against the Standard Oil
company and favored the enactment of more
stringent laws against the Standard Oil com
pany, as I do, he would not be for Mr.' Taft.
Mr. Rockefeller also says that Mr. Taft's elec
tion will make for the stability of business.
What kind gf business? Stability in the trust
business is what he means. He thinks that Mr.
Taft's election will enable the trusts to get a
tighter strangle grasp upon the American people
and put their extortion" upon a more permanent
foundation. fie says that Mr. Taft is not a mim
inclined to rash experiments. He might have
omitted the1 word 'rash for Mr. Taft. is not only
in favor of any kind of experiments in the way
of radical 'legislation. He does not propose
remedies. Ho simply glories in tho past and
wants to leave conditions as they are.
Mr. Rockefeller says that Mr. Taft would
not advocate measures subversive of industrial
progress. But what is industrial progress? Is
it industrial progress to allow one corporation
to swallow up or bankrupt all of the, other cor
porations and then hold the country at its
mercy? Is it industrial progress to destroy in
dustrial progress and establish a despotism
monopoly?
"The democrats have reason to be grateful
to Mr. Rockefeller for tearing the mask off the
republican campaign nnd revealing the duplicity
that has characterized it. Instead of openly at
tacking the side of monopoly the republican or
ganization has kept up a pretenso of reform and
Mr, Roosevelt rushed into tho arena and allowed
the charge that the trusts were opposed to Mr.
Taft to stand I challenged him to name one
trust officer that was supporting mo and he
not being able to find an official named a St.
Louis attorney who In one case represented
the president of a branch of tho Standard Oil
company.
"Mr. Roosevelt, in his eagerness to relievo
tho republican candidate of tho odium of trust
support, accepted this as proof that tho Standard
Oil company was supporting me. Now, Mr.
Rockefeller, head of the Standard Oil company,
comes out openly in support of Mr. .Taft and
gives reasons that lay bare tho false pretenses
upon which tho republican campaign has been
conducted. If the republican party were honest
it would announce that having made arrange
ments with the trusts for the funds to finance
the campaign and having pledged the republican
party to protect the trusts from punishment, it
would release the rank and flip pf thp republican
party from further support of tho republican
ticket. t .
"The republican party can not serve w'o
.masters. Its real master has now stepped, forth
and asserted his claim to the' party's seryiccfJ.
No republican need bo decefyed any longer as
to the indissoluble band that binds tho republi
can organization to predatory interests pf tho
country. I will bo noticed that this statement
comes, out top Jate to. bo used by the weekly
newspapers circulated among the masses, but
In-time to bo used in the business centers to in
fluence those business men who look' to th,e big
financiers for advice."
WALTER WELLMAN'S STATEMENT
Walter Wellman, writing in tho Chicago
Record-Herald (rep.) of October 29, said:
"During tho past week or ten days money
has been pouring in upon tho republican national
committee x a golden stream. Tho contribu
tions are coming from heads of large business
concerns, from the big banks, from the chiefs
of corporations, from men of wealth and sub
stance. The explanation is fright. Serenity has
given place to panic. And the men of wealth
have reached for their check books. Fear of
Taft's defeat is no longer felt by the men who
are managing the campaign. If extraordinary
means should be necessary to win they are pre
pared to employ them. In other words, they
will use money to bring victory. Tho practical
politicians hero admit that tho 'floater' class of
which we hear so much in Indiana, is also
known in this state. In this city alone, it is
said, there are 40,000 votes that can be turned
one way or the other with money. Up the state,
sorry to relate, there are said to be 00,000 or
70.000. Not all of them need to bo bought.
Some of them can be 'hired' to bring In tho
voters on election day, in the Indiana style.
The democrats, of course, are making ready to
raise a dreadful howl about a purchased elec
tion. But those of us who know the game know
they would do the same thing If they had tho
money to do It with."
MR. ROOSEVELT'S STATEMENT
Washington, October 30. The following
official statement was Issued from the White
House tonight:
"At tho White House the announcement
of Mr. Rockefeller through ,the press agent of
the Standard Oil company, was regarded with
some amusement in view of what tho adminis
tration has done lb the Standard, Oil company,
and tho bitter hatred borne" "by the Standard
Oil company to tho administration. Jt Is a per
fectly palpable and obvious trick on tho part
of tho Stand' rd Oil people to try to damngo
Taft a trick so palpable that it can deceive no
one." . .
MR. MACK'S STATEMENT
Now York, October 30. Democratic Chair
man Mack, after reading tho statement Issued
tonight at the White House, where it was said
soino amusement was caused by tho announce
ment of Mr. Rockefeller, In view of wlint tho
administration had dono to the Standard Oil
company, said:
"Tho Whlto House statement Is Its own
answer. Tho bargain wan made botweon Taft's
managers and Rockefeller and concerns the pos
sible future administration of Mr. Taft, and not
what the present administration has or has not
done to tho Standard Oil company."
Replying to another printed article I;. which
it was charged that Mr. Rockefeller had been
persuaded to ondorso Taft at tho Instance of the
domocratlc national committee, Mr. Mnck said:
'Tho statement is ridiculous and absurd on tho
face of it and has already been sufficiently nn
swered by mo."
WELCOME
, (From tho Omnha Chancellor)
Tho following little announcement is' a'
gentle reminder that it is well. to cultivate the
habit of welcoming, by'somo Huchcurining mode,
the advent of little ones iiito tho world J "
: 'Dear Friends:
,: J Here I am came to thin beautiful :
: world Sunday afternoon, Juno twenty- :
:. -first nineteen hundred and elxjht weight. :
:. 'nine pounds. Will live with Mr. and :
: 'Mrs.; V.'E,,Wlflon. TJioy call, mo . . ::
Jano Helen. :
: Stromsburg, 'Nebraska. ' :'
:. . . . , . in ,l. ...,;.; A :
") .. th f -Omaha, Juiruu2Stl908.
Miss Jane" Holeri "Wilson, ffr A ,
'StromBburg, Nebraska.!' !'"
- Dear .Little Miss; Wo were Immensely
pleased to recoive your cunning llttlo nolo ap
prising us of your arrival Into "beautiful world"
on last Sunday afternoon tho 21st lust. For a
recital of tho charming stories you might tell
of your sojourn during eons past In the realms
beyond the shadows wo must with patience wait,
but wo wish to compliment you now 'upon tho
excellent judgment used in your choice of abode
"in this beautiful world." You know before
hand that your past culture and high ideals
must require an environment congenial to their
fuller development, and in your discretion you
chose a most charming home. Charming, wo
are sure it is, for though we have not seen it,
we have for some years enjoyed tho acquaint
ance of tho good people who preside over it.
There, we aro sure, an intelligent liberal spirit
prevails, by which your aspiring soul will be
enabled to develop along thoso lines most con
ducive to your true happiness. Again let us
felicitate you upon your happy choice.
To the excellent folks whom you have
chosen as the parents to aid your little footsteps
along life's journey convey our compliments and
esteem. Proud they must be, and grateful too,
that your choice fell upon them, as your guides
and teachers. It was indeed an honor, and
ono they richly deserved.
We hope to prove, dear little one, your
deserving friends and admirers.
LAURIE J. QUINBY
AND FAMILY.
THE THANKSGIVING SEASON
Unhappy Indeed must be the man who, be
cause of politiral disappointment, can not find
something in life for which he can express his
thanks daily, and his especial thank tinnn lb
holiday set apart for that express purpose.
While It is natural that disappointment In pol
itics, like disappointment in love or in business,
qhould create depression, yet there is surely
something, somewhere, which will suffice to
more than equalize the balance if it is but
brought out and properly enjoyed. For ono
thing, If you can not rejoice because your plana
have not been bettered, you can at least rejoice
that things aro no worse.
Cheerfulness is a habit that may be, and
should be, cultivated by every human being. It
will help you to .bear reverses With asmile and
face the future with hope.
1
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