Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-07-18
WILLIAMSON ON TIE STAND
Oregon Congressman Accused Of Conspiracy
Testifos in His Own Behalf
MAKES GENERAL DENIAL OF CHARGES
says He was Not In PrinevilIe I'm
July, but H. Not SO Certain
when Confronted by
Hotel Register.
MAKES GENERAL DENIAL OF CHARGES

PORTLAND, Ore, July 17.-Congressman
John Newton Williamson was on the Wit
ness stand in the United states circuit
court in his own behalf today The de-
Tense has contended that Williamson was
at Prineville for short time in July. 1902,
and when the same thing was affirmed on
the stand by Williamson today he was
confronted by District Attorney Heney
with the register Of the Polndexter hotel,
in which, under date OF June Is, 1902, was
found the signature, John N. William
SON." The congressman said the signature
was not his own, but he admitted that the
word "Prineville," following his name, APP
peared TO be in his writing. Moreover, he
was not prepared to swear that he was not
in Prineville at that time.
This point FITS in with the theory OF the
government that Williamson was in Prime
Vile two weeks before the filings were
made; that there was a perfect under
standing between the defendants: that he
arranged with his wife to file and that he
then went back to The Dalles and negotl-
ated loan to make payment on the claims.
and caused his wife to file them shortly
after his departure.
Letter TO BinEer Hermann.
Mr.. Heney offered IN evidence a letter
from Congressman Williamson to Binger
Hermann, then commissioner of the general
land office, in which he sought to influence
the commissioner to enlarge the Blue
Mountain forest reserve so as to furnish
lands for a further extension OF their
sheep range and to crowd out the cattle
men grazing in that district. The defense
objected to the letter and the court ruled
against its admission.
In testfying in his own behalf the con-
gresham from the Second district merely
entered a general denial of the allegations
OF the government and on two occasions,
in answer to questions by his counsel. de-
clared that he had no part In or knowledge
OF any conspiracy TO suborn perjury and
that he knew of no violation of the law.
He denied having seen two of the entry
men who have appeared against him until
just recently, and at no time before the
filing.
Character of Defendants,
The defense introduced the testimony Of
a few witnesses to show the good reputa-
ton of the defendant and had called
another. when Judge De Haven asked Mr..
Heney If the government intended to Of
fer any evidence counter to this. The dis
trict attorney answered in the negative.
Judge De Haven then ruled that no more
witnesses would be heard. on the question
of reputation. The defense protested, but
the court would not yield. Judge De Haven
said that inasmuch as the government was
not going to try to prove a bad reputation,
he would instruct the jury that a good rep
utation of the defendant had been estab-
lished.
The defense was not satisfied and offered
to show that they would call about twenty
witnesses, among them Senator Fulton.
Circuit md ebou
number Of prominent Portland people to
testify to his good reputation. The court
gave them leave to make the record show
as they wished.
The government will have but little tes-
ffrnonv IN offar In,