The Washington times., 1905-01-17
such charges

Thus G.d Senator JOflH u
Oregon denounce in the United states
Senate this afternoon MS aeeusers
Senator Mitchell came upon the floor
of the Senate at 12:15 and took his seat
as usual. One of the first Senators who
addressed him was Senator Burrows,
chairman of the Committee on Privl-
leees and Elections. They had a con-
versafion in low tones for few mo-
ments-
Soon afterward, Mr.. Stewart OF Ne
vada who sits just in front OF Mr.
Mitchell, turned around and extended
his hand Other Senators followed from
time 10 time including members from
both sides Of the chamber. Among them
were many of the newer Senators.
while of the older colleagues of Mr.
Mitchell were Hale, Spooner. and Alli-
SON
Al 1870 o'clock Senator Burrows again
had few words conversation With Sen
ator Mitchell.
Five minutes later, when the morning
! t,.-ssslssss yqas declared ended and the cal
endar TO be IL order Mr. Mitchell al
dressed the Chair
Mr.. President, ne said. Z rise TO a
question of personal privilege
The Senator from Oregon is recog-
Frye. and Immediately all eyes were
turned toward Mr.. Mitchell Fifty-three
Senators were present.
With dramatic fervor the Senator pro-
claimed his innocence of the charges
upon which he. together with Rep
reseI.tative Binger Hermann OF Ore
| gon. was recently indicted at Portland,
and expressed confidence IL his ultimat te
vindication-
Explained Details of Case.
| Senator Mitchell then explained in de-
! tail his connection with S A D Puter,
| in having certain land claims passed
favorabIy by Representative Hermann,
! then Commissioner of the General Land
| Office. as merely duty Il Senator owed
q constituent He declared that he had
no suspicious OF there being anything
wrong with the homestead entries in
question. that Commissioner Hermann
| changed his ruling in favor of Puter' 5
! client Mrs Emma L. Watson. upon an
! a affidavit filed by her. and that his per
/ soIlaI dealings IN this case WAS Identical
with that IN hundreds of others, where
J constituents had written him concern
| ing their claims before the department
| And" he continued, 4 have done this
invariably without making any charge
/ or accepting any compensation OF any
/ kind CT character, and so long as / re-
/ main one of Oregon'S Senators / shall
continue to do these things for my con
| stftuents. so help me God. even at the
risk OF one hundred indictments
| Informant Denounced
In lsnEnistakabIe language the Senator
then charged that the alleged confession
CT Pnter was secured through promises
! OF leniercy or clemency made by the
Governments representative. After en-
phatically and speci hcaIly denying that
| Puter had paid him $2609 for his SEP
vices. he said:
/ Il denounce the said s a D. Pute-
! this self-cOnfeSSed and duly convicted
land thief f0TgeT, and perjUrer-wEO
with his associates. facing the peniten-
! tiary as, having un0er promise OF ienI-
ency or clemency, made by Francis J
lieney, prosecuting officer representing
the Government made this infamous
and atrCciorsly false charge against me
! for the purpose and with she eXpectd-
| tiGn of saving himself and his convicted
partners in crime from deserved punish
ment-
The Senator expressed the belief thai
he may have been imposed upon Otter
In espousins claims which NAY later
declared. lit = only by the GrIVeSt dis
tortion and nisconstruction that any Of
these letters. or any OF my acts in ref
erence to them. can be construed as
badges of fraud and corruption
As to Senate Precedent.
IT may be thought or said by some
that I have violated precedent IN coming
here at this time. he said. but let N,
tell you. Mr- President and Senator's
whiIc l am the subject Of seriou.
charges I have not been proven guilt,
OF any OF them
Il am an innocent man. ana I hav,
at this stage of the proceedings II,
Same right Is any other Senator to COM
here in defense of my character. which
is rs dear TO me that OF any othe
Senator on This HcGy. We're it prope
III this time TO ask an Investigation o
t--c charges against nc by this body
would gladly move in that direction
but. in View of the fact that an iudict
Iaent has FSen reported against me.
deem il my duty TO first reSposId 10 III,
ci:iins OF the court But / trust an,
believe the tirI.e VIII cocac when ! ca!
with proprlety demand OF tu,s Senat
a thorough Investigation
An Attack on Heney.
After quo1ias u icGSth several afGd,l
Wits filed in the case. the Senator turnct
his attention 10 Prosecutor Henev an,
said:
! and aow this same man Heney, rep