Oklahoma State Register. (Guthrie, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 12, 1907 Page: 1 of 8
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SIXTEENTH YEAR NO M
GUTHRIE, OKLA., 1th' °P kSl)AV, SEPTEMBER 12. 11)07.
#1.00 PER YEAR
Vote For Frantz and Save the State From Corporation Robbery By Haskell the Wall veet Gambler!
— . •>
Haskell's Connection With Standaid
■ Shown By the Records.
From the Oklahoma Post:
The political sensation of the year was sprung at convention
hall Monday night, when former attorney genaral J. M. Sheets, of
Ohio, charged that C. N. Haskell, Democratic candidate for gov-
ernor, was one of three men who offered a bribe of £400,000 to
Attorney General Monnett early in 1899 to cease prosecuting the
procedings in contempt against the Standard Oil company and con-
stituent oil companies against whom suits were pending in the
supreme court of Ohio, and in proof and support of his statement
read from the annual report of Attorney General Monnett for the
years 1896-1899 now on file among the supreme court records of
Ohio. '
According to Attorney General Monnett the other two men
aie Frank Rockefeller, of Cleveland, Ohio, brother of John Rock-
efeller, and Charles B. Squires, formerly ot Cleveland and now of
New York City.
When General Sheets picked up the court record and began
reading, a hush fell over the large audience. And when Charles
N, Haskell's name was read as one of the three men who conspir
ed to bribe the chief law officer of the state in behalf of the Stand-
ard Oil Trust. a calm and silence fell over the crowd that was
ominous.
Furthermore, it was brought out that altogether 8500,000 was
to be spent by the Standard Oil company in an effort to put an
efid to the prosecutions and that of this amount 8100,000 was to
go to Haskell and Squires for services rendered as "go-betweens."
Although an investigation brought on by the court failed to con-
nect the Standard Oil Company with the bribery charge, the fact
that Attorney General Monnett was approached by three men and
offered a bribe remains undisputed and a part of the records of the
court ot Ohio. Whether these men were speaking authoritatively
when they offered the bribe Judge Sheets did not pretend to say,
belt he offered in support of his statements court records which, he
said, spoke for themselves.
General Sheets at this juncture alluded to the threat that had
been made by a morning newspaper and by some of Mr. Haskell's
friends that Attorney General Monnett would be sent to Oklaho-
ma by the Democrats to reply to Mr. Sheets, and said that Mr.
Monnett was an honest man, and that no one knows better than
Mr Haskell that Monnett is not wanted by Haskell in this cam-
paign.
The charge that Sheets, while attorney general, had dismissed
the prosecutions against the Standard Oil company made by Has-
kell and hi# Democratic newspaper ally in Oklahoma City was also
proven falft' by the court records of Ohio. These records show
that the court stood two to three for a period of six months and
that it was finally upon the courts own initiative that the suits then
pending against the company were dropped and that the Attorney
General Sheets had nothing whatsoever to do with dismissing the
suits.
Another important feature ot the speech was the large num
ber of judgments obtained against Haskell, copies of which were
read by Mr. Sheets. These judgments if added together repre-
ented considerably mire thin 8100,000.
Every time a judgment would be read and the court record
produced the people would laugh and recall a statement made by
the Muskogee candidate for governor to the effect that he would
give S5 for every dollar represented bv judgments issued against
him.
Mr. Haskell's wild cat corporation methods were also laid bare
by the able Ohioan, whose every word impressed the 3,000 people
who had gathered to hear the true life and record ot C. N. Has-
kell.
The great many railroad projects promoted by the Muskogean
were each laid bare and dwelt upon in characteristic fashion.
Judge Sheets also referred to how Haskell had purchased 880,
000 worth of rails from the Sauth Chicago company, a number of
veai i ago and began to lay the rails through the city of Ottawa,
Ohio on Sunday and actually violated a restraining order issued
because of his operations in front of the residences ot well known,
citizens of the town.
The rails were unloaded at the depot without even paying the
freight and nearly half of the rails had been laid through the city
before the South Chicago company demanded possession ot the re-
maining rails for non-payment.
The inside history of the Detroit, Lima and Northern railroad
was also shown up in 110 advantageous light. This was another of
Mr. Haskell's roads which he promoted, and which he was under
contract to build.
The affairs of this road became so badly tangled under Has-
kell's management that an expert accountant was called in to ex-
amine the books for irregularities. Stockholders had become sus-
picious of the man Haskell. W. H. Fuller, of South McAlester, I.
T., was employed to go over the books. Fuller reported to the
stockholders as follows:
As previously stated, I have been engaged as a public accoun-
tant for over twelve years, during which time I have examined the
books and records of many railroad companies, but 1 have never
seen any records which were kept with such evident intention to
deceive and defraud as those of the Detroit, Lima Northern Rail-
way company, under the administration af Mr. Haskell.''
Mr. Sheets substantiated every statement with documentary
proof, even to the ccpies of the judgments. He made no accusa-
tion, used no vituperation, but simply gave the history of Ilaskells
twenty years promotion of railroads, service for Standard Oil and
Wall street operation. If the speech could be in every voters
hands it would have a most profound influence because of its fair-
ness, moderation and convincing array of facts
mm'
/x
O
A VOTE FOR FRANTZ
Is a Vote For Good State Government-
Indian Territory
Strong for Frantz.
Atoka Indian Citizen: Judged by
the profound impression made upon
the minds of a large audience, the Re-
publican mass meeting at the Zephyr-
dome Tuesday evening, at which Gov-
ernor Frank Frantz was the central
figure, was a m03t decided success.
There was the most excellent atten-
tion. interrupted only by frequent and
hearty applause, during the entire even-
ing. Dr. L S. Wiliour, Chairman of
the County Committee, presided at the
meeting, and did it in - way to mai.~
all proud of him, being manly in his
earing, happy in his introductions,
clear in his utterance.
Hon. L G. Disney was first present-
ed by Dr. Wiliour, and in a few brief
words, eloquently introduced the chief
speaker of the evening. Governor
Frank Frantz.
Lack of space prevents us from re-
porting the speech of the Governor in
detail, but we are happy to say that it
disappointed his enemies and more than
Pleased his friends. Free from all mud-
slinging and dirt-throwing, lofty and
commanding in its tone, an affirmative
discussion of issues and principles, the
address showed Frantz to be master of
the situation, beyond all doubt, so far
as fitness for the position is concerned.
He showed that the Republican party
not only favored statehood but is in a
far better position than the Democracy.
He made clear to all intelligent hearers
that his administration of public affairs
in the past had been far more just to
the people and more successful in se-
curing due taxes from the corporations
than had the services of his opponents.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of be-
ing a personal friend of President
Roosevelt, hardly a thing to be asham
ed of, or to be hindrance in the task of
securing statehood for Oklahoma.
In short, his speech was so master-
ful that our Democratic friends, who
had hired a stenographer to attend the
meeting and take down Governor
Frantz's speech in order to publish it,
decided afterwards that it was not
worth while to publish said speech— I
that is they could find nothing in the
address with which they could success-
fully find fault, or which they could
answer.
After the speech of Governor Frantz,
followed by some enjoyable music, J.
E. Cosgrove, our candidate for county
representative, wittily introduced Hon.
Silas H. Reid, candidate for attorney
general, but owing to tne condition of
Mr. Reid's voice, and much to the dis-
appointment of the audience, he was
obliged to ask to be excused from-
speaking.
N. G. Turk, nominated for lieuten-
ant governor, was then introduced and
though stating in plain homespun fash-
ion that he was no orator but a farmer
and stock-raiser, gave a short talk
which created a good impression as to
his straightforward and conscientious
ability.
The meeting as a whole made glad
the hearts of Republicans and it was
of the kind that makes friends and
wins votes. Judging from political
weither indications in this county suc-
cess will be with the ticket of the pro-
gressive element-the party of accom-
plishments. Also the party of state-
hood with honor and equity.
Cotteral On the Judicary
Ethics of Oklahoma
The State Register is able to produce
the greater portion of the address of At-
torney John H Cotteral, nomine© for
justice of tlie supreme court, from the
Third district, delivered on a speaking
tour in the Indian territory. Mr. Cot-
teral said in part:
"ti may well be regarded as a settled
rule of propriety that candidates for
judiciary honors should not take part
111 the discussion of the issue in a po-
litical campaign which are liable to be
the subject of inquiry before the courts.
I subscribe to this rule and am in ac-
cord with flhat conception of their
proper attitude in the present campaign.
"if any justification be needed for the
appearance of the aspirants for the
bench at public meetings at this time
it is found in the lack of acquaintance
>11 the part of the voters with the vari-
ous nominees for office, whom thi vot-
ers are entitled to know, but that fact
does not in my judgment warrant the
slightest transgression of the rule
which I have mentioned, and which ad-
mits of no exceptions.
"Many features ot trie proposed con-
stitution fall within this class of forbid-
den subjects and this leads me direct-
ly to the question, whether those candi-
dates who were delegates In the consti-
tutional convention, three of whom
have been nominated for the supreme
bench—a majority of the court, ani
stand committed to fixed views not only
of the meaning but of the validity of
the provisions of the constitution, good
bad or indifferent, and have expounded
and construed them in political argument
are free to properly judge and deter-
mine the questions which may arise
and be presented to the courts? The In-
terests of the people will be variously
Involved, some under one provision and
some under another, and many questions
of remedies and contracts and proper-
ty right will be at stake, and it seems to
me that the people of this state are en-
titled to have their causes decided and
their right adjuricated after they have
been fully presented and not before that
time.
"The question may not appear serious
at first blush, but a little reflection will
make deai its importance. A system
of laws whether embodied In a consti-
tution or In legislative enactments which"
in its range covers and regulates thb
entire affairs of the citizens of a state
is bound to be before the courts for in-
terpretation. it is impossible to enu-
merate or even suggest the manifold
controversies in which the people will
be concernd that will inevitably be in
litigation. Not knowing what your atti-
tude may be. nor where your interests
may Ii«-, it is satisfactory to you that
the law which shall regulate your rights
be d«*> l;.red and expounded before a i'uiJ
presentation in court?
it may be that a candidate may form
and commit himself t-> certain opinions
relative to the effect and. operation of
constitutional subjects and, Impelled by
his ambition to obtain support and pop-
ularity may Interpret the meaning an l
Import then of before the people, and
then later, when confronted 'with the
reasoning and authorities of counsel at
the forums provided by law, may b<3
able to reconsider and retract ills con-
victions and public utterances, In ac-
cordance with established principles and
precedents, and substitute his judicial
views for his political notions.
"He may be able to d-o this, much as
the judge reformed his ideas of buslne3J
when, after retiring from the bench, he
engaged In the banking business. As the
story goes a young man presented
a draft at the bank to be
cashed. The judge readily agreed that
the draft was all right, but demanded
proof that the young man was the per-
son named In the draft, whereupon two
men wero brought In, but arfter ques-
tioning them closely, the judge still In-
sisted on a further showing of his iden-
tity. At this, the youhg man remonstrat-
ed, and reminded the judge that he had
seen him while on the bench hang men
with les evdence before. "Oh, yes,"
said the judge, ''that's so, I was then on
the bench, but I am in the banking
business now and I have to be careful!"
"fiut It is the simple lesson of experi-
ence that we should select men for Ju-
dicial stations Who come to the bencli
Here is Two and Two, the Voters
Can Put Together Themselves.
There has always been a mystery where Haskell got his money
to run his single-handed, purely personal campaign, with not only
disregard but scorn of all the leaders of the democratic party.
If it took over lifty thousand for Cruce to run for governor and
be defeated, it took more for Haskell to be nominated.
Haskell had unlimited resources and hurled defiance in the
primary election at any and all democratic leaders, intending
crushing them unmercifully to earth.
it took power behind his back and unlimited money to hav
met every emergency since then, both of which have never been
in evidence. Haskell seems never to be in lack of money, though
he is running his campaign purposely detached from other demo-
cratic leaders so he will not have to share his power, with them.
Now does it not seem possible?
' Kx-Attorney Sheets shows that Haskell was once in the em-
ploy of the Standard Oil. Once a Standard Oil, always a Standard
Oil.
John Rockefeller's method ot hoodwinking the public while by
his system is robbing the people, has always been through the
churches. He is a very pious Sunday school man. By this method
he puts the public to sleep months ?head while the Standard Oil
creeps in in the night and steals the oil, gas and coal franchises.
The Standard Oil has the Indian Territory partly cap-
tured, there are independent oil lines fighting it. A future
governor could serve the Standard Oil and help it swallow all com-
petitors in its giant maw, or choke it off and give the people a
chance.
Haskell, being a Wall street man and knowing how, and hav-
ing been in its service before, has been selected by Standard Oil
as its candidate for governor, and that is the reason you hear him
make a noise against raliroad corporations, but never a word against
Standard Oil.
Rev. Dinwiddie has been on a combine with Haskell and
helped him defeat Cruce, who is a temperance man, for nomination
and is now helping him in the election.
Rev. Dinwiddie has brought suit against those who said that
he gave Haskell $2o,ooo of the prohibition fund for his campaign
purposes. 1 his is probably technically not true. That is not the
way things are done in politics. Hut John Rockefeller contributes
to the national prohibition cause, and since Haskell is just as
much of a champion of constitutional prohibition in this state as
Dinwiddie, there would be nothing wrong for him to receive money
independent of Dinwiddie to help the cause of prohibition and that
money could be furnished Hy Rockefeller just the same as he gives
his church contributions.
And Rev. Dinwiddie nor the National Prohibition organiza-
tion, which he serves, need not necessarily know that Haskell,
when governor, is to protect Standard Oil, for having helped get-
ting him elected through the blind charitable prejudices of a prohi-
bition vote of Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
That can be a secret between Mr. Haskell and the Standard
Oil.
That is the method of secrecy Standard Oil has captured the
whole United States, by helping in church and moral lines with its
stolen millions, while robbing the people blind materially.
Think of this, voters! Ambassador Bryce says the Indian
Territory is a richer field in oil, gas and coal than the Pittsburg
region, and will some day be a greater manufacturing center, and
Standard Oil would give thousands of dollars now to reap millions
thereafter.
And Haskell is a Standard Oil man.
frte from all prejudice engenderd by
partisan debate or political controversy,
whose sentiments and predilections do
not interfere with the doctrine of legal
principles and precedents.
•SIIOUJL/D A DELlvGATK BR A JUDIC-
ARY?
It is a time honored rule that law-mak-
ers should not have the tempation beforo
tliein of creating places of gain and
honor lor themselves for the obvious
reason that If they do, they are liable
to place their private Interests before
the public good, an dthereby diminish
the value of their public services if not
render them absolutely detrimental to
the people. And In determining your vote
upon the candidates, let me suggest
another question, whether It is satisfac-
tory to the people to support those who,
entrusted with the constitution making
power, after creating the various offices
and providing the emoluments thereof,
thereupon devised or concurred in mean.i
by the arrangement of the districts and
the maner of nomination whereby they
might have advantage over others In
seeking the nominations for those offices
And I submit that that It would have
been more in keeping with unselfish
statesmanship and a patriotic discharge
of duty had the delegates been person-
ally disinterested in these matters ant
acted with an eye single to the wel-
fare of their constituents.
THE VOTER HAD LITTLE VOICE
"Acordlngly, I find it proper and con-
sistent to refer you to one of the ex-
amples of the subordination of public to
private interest by the makers of the
constitution, a species of disfranchise-
ment of both political parties, In the
matter of the nomination of the supremo
court Justices. You all very well under-
stand that the supreme court Is a state
court, to which appeals are to be car-
ried from all of the district or trial
courts of the state. Naturally both po-
litical parties over the state were en-
titled to a voice In nominating all of
these supreme court judges, because
they are state officials and are voted
upon at large over the state, the same
as your governor and other state of-
Continued on page 5 colnmn 3.
Noah's Injunction
Against Constitution Nill.
Justice Brewer of the United
States Supreme court to vvhom
application was made for writ of
Supersedeas restraining the re-
districting of certain counties in
Oklahoma, has reserved consider-
ation of the application until the
matter can be brought before the
Supreme Court when it meets
next month.
In the meantime the election
will proceed on September 17th
in accordance with the proclama-
tion of Governor Frantz.
"My action in deferring consi-
deration of the application." said
Justice Brewer tonight," is due
to two questions which have ari-
sen 111 my mind.
One question is whether Mr. M
A. Noah of Woods county, who
submitted as a taxpayer and citi-
zen to bring this petition to me
has the right to submit the suit.
The other is whether this is or
not a political move and one
which the court should decline to
consider at all. My action will
not affect the election which will
go on as the constitutional con-
vention provided and the question
of the right of the convention
to divide counties will come later
before the court.
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Golobie, John. Oklahoma State Register. (Guthrie, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 12, 1907, newspaper, September 12, 1907; Guthrie, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc112563/m1/1/: accessed April 23, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.