The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-11
SENATOR MITCBELL'S ORDEAL.
The Charges Of Dishonesty and Bigamy
Against the Senator from Oregon.
His Alleged Abandonment Of His First Wife in
Destitute Condition. Comments on the
Probable Action of the Senate-Ssn-
ator Mitchelps Downfall Prob
able Gain to the Democratic

WASHINGTON, June 0, 1879
Senator Mitchell, OF Oregon, and the serious
charges against him are topics OF very general dis
cussion here. The people OF the Pacific Coast are
particularly excited on the subject as not only his
standing as q man OF honor and character
are involved, but also his status in the
Senate, for the question arises-should the
alleged statements prove true-will he be
allowed to retain his seat The Legislature OF
Oregon does not meet again for nearly two
years. Mitchell was elected as republican and
took his seat last 4th OF March, consequently he
has before him the full term OF six years. Should
he be expelled the Governor OF the State would
have the appointment OF a successor to 1n the
vacancy thus created until an election could he
held by the Legislature. Governor Grover Ii =
democrat. and consequently would appoint one OF
his own party friends to the position, so that the
question is not alone personal to his frends but
may have an influence In national politics.
THE CHARGES
are that Senator Mitchell IL passing under an al
sumed name, his proper name being John Nipple
by which ne has always been known in Pennsylva-
MIA, his native State. 1t Is further said that some
five or Six years ago he abandoned his wife and
family and fled the State. taking of with him $4,000
which had been entrusted to him by his law part
nsr, Judge Thompson, to deposit in a bank at Pitts
burg; that his family, thus abandoned, were LETT
80 destitute Jndt HIS WIG nau 10 SOCK meulal GU
pioyment to support herself and Child and at one
time had to be supported by public charity
judge Thompson, his late law partner, is a man
of prominence in Pennsylvania. In the last Presi-
Dental canvass he was Grant elector. 1t is I'M
derstood that, on being written to the subject,
in his reply he states that the new Senator from
Oregon was law student with him, and after
wards his partner. His name then was John
Mitchell Nipple. That when very young he made
AN UNFORTUNATE MARRIAGE,
which caused him so much unhappness as to In.
duce him to leave home, and he supposes his change
of name was to prevent being traced and followed
by his wife. The money part Of the story is that
when he made this sudden determination he was
at Pittsburg on business and had funds in his pos
session belonging to the arm which he used to de-
fray the expenses Of his Pacific Coast journey, but
that in lieu thereof he forwarded to his partner title
deeds to property SUFFICIENT as he deemed to make
good tine amount thus taken. His Pennsylvania
wife was divorced from him years ago, and since
hts sojourn in oregon he had been married to u
daughter OF welknown citizen of that state.
There comes up in this the question whether this
Oregon marriage was subsequent to the Pennsyl-
vania divorce. not
HE HAS COMMITTED BIGAMY,
and the children by the latter vile egltimate.
He has teegraphed here from Oregon that he has
a full and complete defence to all the charges
brought against him, and asks suspension oil public
opinion until he can be heard. His friends feel
confident that he will be able to prove that, what
family affairs, yet when the truth Is made known
there will be nothing against MIN which cannot be
character as man or materially interfere with
his influence as Senator. II the statement of the
Senator Mitchell, which has been recently pub
lshed, should prove to be substantially true, 1t Is
said by residents OF that State that public senti-
ment there on this charge alone will force him to
resign, and that, in all probability. he will be
PROCEEDED AGAINST CRiMINALLY
present acknowledged wife having been married
to him In 1862, though the divorce from the FIRST
Thought here, even by those VINO at the outstart
were confident OF his ability to clear up his record
against him. His friends ask for him lair piay and
tnat ne shall not be condemned without the fullest
bearing: It is reported that he will return East
immediately for the purpose OF having the whole
history OF his early life In Pennsylvania made public
and substantated by reliable citizens of that state
out OF which have grown the scandals against him.
TO what extent the Senate can take cognizance
Of its members socia auestIa eeos o 81 one
commented on. Certain 1t is, however.
such acts could exert no gss o.
either in the deliberations Of the national coun-
Gus or obtain recognition in any recommendations
various executive departments. He would be SO
osTRAcIsED BOTH SOCIALLY AND POLITICALLY.
had been elected to- represent. 1t shows how
quickly dead mems shoes are sought afrer to be
cusson as to who will be Mcbes ~ in
case he should be forced to resign. Grover the
present Governor, it Is understood Is an anxious
seeker for Senatorial honors. AS he has the APP
pointing power to I'LL the place temporarily until
the meeting OF the State Legislature, some two
years hence, 1t is presumed that he Will not be
likely to confer the appointment on any who
may DE formidable rival to his own aspirations,
should the next Legislature happen to be anti
administration, as those well posted In affairs OF
that section claim will most likely be the case. Of
the democratic leaders. Nesmith, the former we'll
known Senator, is the most popular, and has the
strongest probability OF success. or course
Grover would not be apt to add to his chances
by giving him the interregnum appointment, so he
Will be passed by for some one who will make
A CONVENIENT DEAD HEAD
FOR the time being; and who, gratltied with year
of distinction IN having once been a Senator will
relapse again into obscurity without any struggle
for continued lease OF Senatorial life. But all this
Is counting the chickens politically, before they are
Matched. 1t is, many say. devoutedlv to be hoped
for, that John Nipple Mitchell, or John Mitchell
Nipple, which ever his name may be, will be able to
prove that he has done nothing to forfeit the esteem
OF his brother Senators OF the respect OF the people
or the state he represents. There was at the past
session, SO much obloquy cast upon the Senate by
the Investigations OF bribery and corruption In the
election OF certain Senator's, that fresh scandal,
brought against another member, would have q
to bring our highest deiberative body
into dsiavor and very seriously weaken the public
respect In which, till OF very late years, 1t has been
held.