New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-17
DIETRICH INDICTED.
BRIBERY THE CHARGE.
He Is Sad to Hare Taken 81 800 for
Recommending an 4ppointment.

Omaha, Nov. 16.-The federal grand jury this
evening returned true bills against United States
Senator Charles H. Dietrich and Postmaster
Jacob Fisher, Of Hastings. Neb. charging them
with conspiracy and bribery, in connection with
the appointment OF Fisher to be postmaster.
When the indictments were brought into the
United States District Court. Judge Munger pre-
siding, the court merely accepted the report of
the grand jury. making no remarks on the con-
tents. only giving an order to the clerk for the
filing of the bills.
The indictment against Senator Dietrich
charges that he accepted money and property in
consideration of recommending Fisher for ap-
pointment as postmaster at Hastings The one
against Fisher charges him with making an
agreement with Senator Dietrich by which Fish
er was TO pay Senator Dietrich property and
money to the amount of $1,000 for securing the
appointment.
Senator Dietrich is at present in Washington,
and there was no attorney or other person IN he
city tonight authorized to make a statement for
him.
The last witness called before the grand Jury
was william Dutton. hardwara merchant of
Hastings. who gave his testimony to-day. Ac-
cording to buttons testimony. he acted as in
termediary in all the alleged transactions be-
tween the indicted men. After hearing his evil
dence the grand jury excused the remaining
witnesses who had not testified, and at once pre-
pared its report to Judge Munger. There were
three indictments each against Senator Die
trich and Postmaster Fisher
The jury was composed of twenty members.
nineteen Of whom are said to have voted for the
indictment and one against. The members
came from all parts Of the State. no two of them
living in the same town. The foreman. Frank
E White. Of this city. is secretary of the Grand
Lodge of the Masonic Order of Nebraska The
other members are mostly well known business
and professional men. -Four other cases, said
TO De Of a similar nature. are being tnvesti-
gated by the grand jury. and report on them
is expected soon. All are cases in which post
Offices and postmasters are concerned.
This indictment is said to be the first ever re-
turned against a United States Senator on
charges of this nature and caused intense ex-
citement in official circles here, and in adjoin-
ing towns when II became public
The law under which Senator Dietrich and
Fisher were indicted provides a punishment for
the offences with which they are charged OF
Imprisonment for not more than two years ana
g fine of not more than $4,000
Senator Dietrich was elected by the leg1sla-
f,lre Of 10000 to succeed Senator Allen, who
was appointed by Governor Poynter TO fill the
unexpired term Of the late Senator Hayward
who died before taking his seat. His term ex-
pires March 3. 1905.
Postmaster Fisher was formerly Mayor OF
Hastings. and has been prominent in Republican
politics of Nebraska for several years. He has
been here for some time during the investigation
Of the grand jury. and TO be placed on the
stand to testify to-day. He said tonight: The
indictments against Senator Dietrich and myself
are the result of political persecution. There is
really nothing in the charges. and my friends
will support me in my defence. Men have
pushed this matter who were turned down for
reappointment and have trumped up charges to
set even
Washington. Nov. Ex-senator Dietrich and
MI Rosewater. Editor Of The Omaha Bee,
have arrived here, and tonight all those who
inquired as TO the Indictment of the Senator were
referred TO Mr.. Rosewater, who declared that
the indictments were the result of a political
quarrel Mr.. Rosewater asserted that Senator
Dietrich had a good defence, and added that he
and the Senator had come here at this time TO
hiring about the removal of District Attorney
He that they already had been