Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1912 — TELLS OF 1904 FUND [ARTICLE]

TELLS OF 1904 FUND

AID TO ROOSEVELT IS PUT AT $1,900,000. George B. Cortelyou, Former Chainman of Republican Committee, Gives Estimate of Contributions. Washington, July 12.—The Republican national committee In 1904 raised 11,900,000 for the Roosevelt presidential campaign, according to testimony given by George B. Cortelyou, then chairman of the national committee, to the senate committee Investigating campaign contributions. He denied knowledge of any contributions from the coal, steel or beef trusts or from the railroads. All contributions, he sdfti, were received under a rule that no pledge or promise was attached to them. He told of the rejection of one contribution under this rule. “A wealthy man came to headquarters,” said Cortelyou, “with an offer to contribute something like $15,000 or $20,000. As he was not con nected with any big business we were glad to get It. However, in turning it over he remarked that he hoped that he might be considered some time for a diplomatic post and in that event he would have the good will of the chairman of the committee. I told him that he had, probably been misinformed as to how these things were done and while I did not want him to misunderstand, we could not accept the contribution.” Toward the conclusion of his tes•Jmony Cortelyou recalled that An Jlrew Carnegie contributed SIO,OOO. Cortelyou said he corresponded directly with Carnegie about his contribution. About $95,000 was left in the treasury at the end of the camgain, Cortelyou' said. Cortelyou said he desired to take full responsibility for the campaign. He denied that he was selected as chairman because as former secretary j of the department of commerce and ■tabor he would be in a position to inake corporations contribute.