Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1904-12-23
BOTH COMING HOME
Mitchell and Hermann Demand Full
Investigation of Reported Charges
Against Them.


5 Investigation of Reported Charges
l Against Them.
5 Senator Mitchell and Representative
! Hermann left Washington Sunday
r night for Portland to appear before
the Federal grand jury and face
charges which, they have been ad
, vised, have been made duplicating
| them in Oregon land frauds. BotE
Mitchell and Hermann declare in
most positive terms that they are alb
solutely innocent and have nothing tc
} fear from returning to Oregon. 10th
! assert with equal positiveness that the
time has come when this Outrageous
, persecution must stop"
They will insist upon the right to
go before the grand jury and make
answer to all charges that are to be
made against them, confident that
they will be able to establish their
innocence. They will arrive in Port
land Friday night and expect to have
hearing on Saturday
On Saturday, Senator Mitchell re-
ceived kilograms from friends advis-
ing that it was currently reported in
Portland that s. A. d. Puter, Mrs.
Emma Watson and others recently
convicted Of conspiracy in the Oregon
land-fraud case had made confession
duplicating both himself and Her
mann, and advising him to hasten to
Portland to defend himself. He de-
termined to do SO at once.
Asked why he had decided to return
to Portland at this time, after having
declined to go as a witness when sum-
moned by subpoena a week ago,
Senator Mitchell said
81 was advised by kilograms from
Portland that it was reported there
that Puter, Watson and others Of that
gang had made confession duplicating
me, and that there would be an effort
made to indict me and Hermann be-
fore the grand jury which meets Mon
day. A week ago, when I was called
as witness, I had no intimation that
it was claimed | was implicated in
any way, and did not feel it my duty
to go and sacrifice public business
but the moment was being attacked
personally I concluded I was justified
in sacrificing public business and
everything else to go and defend my
character against the assaults 1 know
to be without any foundation what
ever"
Representative Hermann, before
leaving, made the following statement:
Information having been received
that probably an attempt would be
made to involve Senator Mitchell and
myself in the grand jury investiga-
tions as to land frauds in Oregon, I !
believe it to be my duty to proceed to
Portland and there ask the privilege
of meeting any charges which may be
preferred.
For nearly six years I was Com
missioner-General Of the Land Office
here in Washington, and during that
period of time 1 performed the duties
OF that office according to the law as l
understood it, and to the best of nv
ability, and without any favoritlsm to
any one.
mo act was ever done by me as
Commissioner that was not believed
to be conscientiously right, and in
strict accordance with law.
Il was necessarily compelled to rely
upon reports and recommendation of
many subordinate officials. Ifany of
hese reports or recommendations
we're erroneous or false, l had no
knowledge ofthe same. Persons guilty
II defraudIng the Government of anv
'ortion of its domain should be prose
uted and severely dealt with and l
hall be only too glad to render the
government any aid within my power
0 that end. "
Mr.. Hermann said that inasmuch
S the President advocates a square :
eal for every man." and as the :
rand jury in Portland has established
he precedent of allowing the accused =
appear before it to answer charges, .
felt confident he would be permitted =
reply to whatever accusations may =
lodged against him before the \
rand jury. = =