Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-09
Reporters Break the Nevs.

over to the custody OF their counsel
Reporters Break the News.
The first information Marshal Mathews
had that he had been removed from Office
was from the newspaper reporters. He
said:
L have received no word from Washing
ton regarding the matter and the infornia-
| tion that 1 have been removed is certainly
surprise to me. Upon what grounds the
action was taken have no idea. II is true
that about a week ago the attorney general
wrote to me asking for a statement of what
l did with Prisoners Richards and Com
stock after sentence had been pronounced
| upon them. l made clear statement ot
the case to the attorney general l will not
give out that letter for publication at this
time, and neither will say what l did re-
garding the prisoners. 1 will say that in
| their case ] only followed precedent and
did what has been done upon hundred oc-
| casions before. In the Senator Burton ease
! If you remember, after he was sentenced
the marshal allowed him to remain with
his lawyer from Saturday until Monday.
| The information comes to me as such
surprise that I do not want TO make any
statement of my side of the case at this
time. After have thought over the matter
VIII make a statement and set out my
side of the case "a"
Judge Munger was told of the removal
of the United States marshal ana expressed
utter Indifference over the matter.
! Il have nothing to do with the matter
and know nothing of IT," he said. There
is nothing for me to say" And the Judge
resumed his reading.
Letter from Mathews 10 MOODY.
WHghinRtOn 10 1-.x
furnishes a copy Of the letter written by
Marshal Mathews in reply to the request
OF Attorney General Moody of November
2S, explaining reasons why he did not per-
sonally take charge OF Bartlett, Richards
and w. G. Comstock The letter is dated at
Omaha, December ?, and reads:
In answer to your letter dated November
=, 1905, l have honor to reply. Referring
nrst TO newspaper stories, one paper stated
that took Messrs Richards and Comstock
to hotel, where we dlned sumptuously
and spent the remainder OF the evening az
the theater. There was not one word OF
truth in this statement.
The Washington correspondent OF the
In company with defendants spent six
hours in a restaurant and saloons. This
also was a straight UP and down lie
| presume other papers had like stories
equally as false The F@cts are that after
the court had passed : .ence on Orchards
and Comstock / appointed II. Hall who
had acted as their attorney and who is
gentleman of the highest character and
standing, to take charge of and keep in
his custody the defendants for the period
informed me he did and incl0se herewith
the statement made by Hall, Affirming tlIAt
he executed my Instructions and the order
Of the court in good faith.
My action In this case was not unusual
but was one that is lutte frequently done
by marshals and sheriffs, and SO far as nv
knowledge OF the practice in this district
goes II was not exceptional or unusual.
| understanding
| tence in "the custody OF the marshal for a
few hours was mere formality, and did not
| contemplate or mean severe treatment, and
l do not think the court Intended II other
/, ! wise.
NY understanding Of the order was that
they were TO be restrained of their liberty
for six hours. and that was done, under a
reliable man and In a reputable place,
, at any minute during that period
My acquaintance with Richards and Com
stock is ono OF the most casual character,
and am not now and have not been under
any financial political or social obligat atlohs
to them, and there existed no reason why
Indulgence that l would not have thought
| proper to grant TO any other person under
= similar circumstances.
II may be that l misapprehended my duty
: in the matter and In not exercising personal
surveillance. and that I was remiss In ON
> that IL was without thought or Intention OF
violating the proprieties OF the case or act
ing other than would be In keeping with
the order OF the court, and sincerely re-
be made the occasion or cause Of complaint
Cret that any official action OF mine should
" T. L. MATHEWS.
United States Marshal.
Upon his own statement, as set forth In
this letter of the marshal. the attorney gen
eral recommended 10 the president that he
be removed from office.
what Was Done TO the Prisoners.
Ii has frequently been reported that Mar
B shall Mathews instead OF keeping Comstock
and Richards in his custody turned them
lver to their attorneys Another report has
[ that Mr.. Mathews took the men to the
: heater and then to a dinner after the show.
d Mr.. Mathews refused TO make a statement
/ this time regarding his custody OF the
,risoners.
The news Of the presidents action soon
spread through the federal building and
| not only created much surprise, but also
| ONE apprehension, II was fully an hour
. after the marshal had been Informed OF
the presidents action by the newspapers
that he received his telegram from the
resident announcing his dismissal.
Following the receipt Of this telegrau m
Judge Munger, Clerk Thummell OF the
United States circuit court, Marshal Math-
,ws and Deputy Earl Mathews a son OF
he marshal. held lengthy conference IN
he private once OF the marshal TO discuss
What was TO be done and 10 talk over a
taternent 10 be made 10 the public. Durins
his time four OF the deputies were in the