Gilpin observer., 1903-11-19
DIETRICH INDICTED.
GRAND JURY FINDS ELL AGAlNcT
SENIOR NERRAskA oE!iAToR.
Latter is Postmaster at Iiactinso and
Ex.Mayor Of the City-Accueed Men
Insist It is Only Political Quarrel
and Result Of Spite.

and Result Of Spite.
Omaha, Neb. Nov 17.--The United
States grand jury last night returned
true bills against United States Sen
ator Charles II Dietrich and Post
master Jacob Fisher of Hastings, Ncb.,
charging them with bribery and con-
spiracy The senator Is charged with
accepting bribe from Fisher
in consideration of which the latter
was recommended for the postmaster
ship of Hastings.
This indictment is said to be the
first ever returned against United
States senator on charges OF this ma
ture, and caused intense Excitement
in government official circles in Oma-
ha and adjoining towns when it be-
came public. Just what action will be
taken, il any. to apprehend Senator
Dietrich could not be learned.
The last witness called before the
grand jury was William Dutton, a
hardware merchant of Hastings. Ac-
cording to buttons testimony he act
ed as intermediary in all the alleged
transactions between the indicted
men, and after hearing his evidence
the grand jury excused the remaining
witnesses. who had not testified. and
at once prepared its report to Judge
Munger. The jury is composed of
twenty members, nineteen of whom
ARE said to have voted for the indict-
ment and one against. The members
come from all parts of the state, no
two Of them being a resident of the
same town, and are mostly prominent
business and professional men.
Four other cases, said to be of a sim
liar nature, are being investigated by
the grand jury, and report on all or
part of them is expected very soon.
All are cases in which postoffices and
postmasters are concerned.
Fisher Makes Statement.
Postmaster Fisher and his deputy
Edward Francis, both of whom were
subpoenaed as witnesses. were seen az
their hotel in Omaha last night. and
Mr. Fisher made this statement:
This is the first I knew of indict
ments being returned against Senator
Dietrich and myself. ! can say how
ever, that they are the result of po
litical persecution. and that | have
been treated unfairly in the matter.
have been in Omaha ten days, expect
ing TO appear before the grand jurJ
as witness. Not being called to tes
tify made application both to the dis
trict Judge and to Foreman White tc
be permitted to make statement tt
the grand jury. l was unable to Sc
cure hearing. however. and was dis
missed with the assurance that
would not be called as witness
There is really nothing in the charge!
and M friends will support me in m,
defense. If witnesses had been per
mitted to have been cross-examineI
the result would have been quite dii
ferent and no indictment would hav,
| followed. l have been in Hasting
twenty-six years as business mai
and do not anticipate any serious con
sequences as the result of the repor
Of the grand jury. Men have pushe,
this matter who were turned dow,
for reappointment. and have trumpe,
up charges to get even"
Washington, Nov. 17.-Senator Diet
rich and Editor Rosewater of tn
Omaha Bee have arrived in this cit
and all inquirers as to the indictmen
of the senator were referred to MI
Rosewater They declared the indict
ments were the result of politica
quarrel. Mr.. Rosewater said MI
Dietrich had good defense, and ado
ed he and the senator had come t
Washington at this time to brinl
about the removal of District Attorne
Summers. He said they had alread
been to the white house on this mi!
sion. Mr.. Rosewater declared tina
District Attorney Summers ha
pushed the charges against Senate
Dietrich for the reason that the
were politically antagonistic.