New-York tribune., 1874-01-15
c1SE FOR yINDiC1 TyON.

From the general tone oi petition WHICH
has heen somewhat extensively circulated and
signed in Oregon, and Il copy of which has
been sent TO The TRBuNE, the subject maj
fer being not entirely unconnected with Sen
ator John II. Mitchell of Oregon, we should
say there was "A good prospect of the United
States Senate being shortly called upon TO
yindicate another injured and gifted public
man. The petitioners, irrespective of party,
represent TO the Senate, upon information aud
belief. a state of facts, principally bioSraphi-
cal in character. concerning Mr.. Mitchell.
These facts. they say, were not known
when he was elected TO the Senate, ana
had they been known they would have pre-
vented his receiving single vote In the Leg
islature. They ask that they he presented to
" said Hipple alias Mitchell"-which seems IA
nn,due description for n United States Sena-
tor-"and. if denied by him, that COMMITTEE
/" of investigation he appointed, and II they
care found true that he be expelled from the
"Senate and the foul STAN be removed from
"our State The petitioners say also that all
the witnesses are still living, and Will sub
stantiatc the facts alleged 80 far as each Is
concerned. when required. TO which they
add with some earncstness: Our state mas
"becn disgraced and an outraged people re
"spectfuy ask redress at your hands"
There's an excuse for these petitioners com
ing to the Senate with their request. They DO
not know the Senate. Oregon is quite remote
from Washington. The petitioners III the
simplicity of their hearts supposed that II they
could prove to the Senate that tins hr.
Mitchell, or Nipple, or llipple-Mltchel, or
Mitchell-Hpplc had been guilty OF various
offenscs against the laws, one of which was
bicamy. and that ne had been elected senator
under an assumed name by Legislature
that knew nothing of the facts or oi
his history, the Senate would eXpci MN
and rpmove the disgrace. The simple, honest
way in which they say that AL the Witnesses
care still living, and will sub5tantiatc the
facts" will doubtless afford the Senate much
Amusement when the petition comes before 1T.
Witnesses! Bless their dear Pacific coast
souls! The Senate does not call witnesses.
Upon this petition Doctor Bliss and senator
Spencer may give certificates to some attorney
for the defense like Senator Howe, saying that
all the witnesses either had lied or would
lie about il; and TO this may be added Il
letter from the President, saying that hc
has never observed anything bigamOuS IN Mr..
IIiDpla- NiichelpS conduct or conversation
and the Senate will thcreupon ylndicaie hlm
as an injured and gifted public man. After
which the Administration press will say
that the petitioners ought To be ashamed Of
themselves for circulating such ISLANDERS. No;
if there's anything the Senate does not want.
il is the testimony of living witnesses
IL .nl Ia, 4 UEnIlI
be fatal to the admission Of said Ilpplc alias
Mitchell . to respectable society but the
standard for entrance TO respectable society
and that for admission Ia the Senate are two
entirely different things. The Senate vind'-
Gates people TO whom Society refuses recogni-
ton, and negects no occasion to put the seal
of its disapprOval upon conventional morality.
If it is true, as these petitioners aver, that
/" said Nipple alias MITCHELL after having
abandoned his wife in Butler County. Penn,
to run away with another woman and four
thousand dollars in money which belonged
" to the clients of himself and partner, leaving
:" bis wife pcnniless with two children,
and that, having deserted the second woman
in San Francisco he went to Oregon, and
under the assumed name of john ii. Mitchell
married q second wlte MS nfst DcilS sun
alive and undiyOrced, it would seem as though
he was not IA proper person to represent a
State in the highest legislative body in the
land. And yet it would be queer spectacle
if the United States Senate, with Mr.. Matt
Carpenter IN the chair, should turn mp its nose
at him. There is of course but one thing for
the Senate to do under the circumstances, and
that is to send Mr. Howe ont for some certiii-
Gates and then vindcate said Nipple alias
Mitchell"
The inaugural address of Gov. Allen of Ohio,
delivered on Monday, very MODEL of public
dncnmenf for coInpactness and breXtY. II is about