Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-07-10

whose charge the matter WAS placed to
secure any additional evidence regarding
the case. 1t was decided that more EVIL
dence might be secured in New York, and
in the hope of doing SO tn. secret service
agent, accompanied by Mr.. Chcathain,
went there for that purpose. After work
ing together in clos" touch for three or
four days, during which time Il number of
persons who Were supposed to know
some thing about the case were examined
by the secret service agent alone and af-
ter having fully gone over the ground
and eXammed everyone who. in the opin-
ion of the secret service agent and Mr..
Chcathan could possibly have any CON
nection with the affair. Mr. Chcatham
left New York. Before leaving he had Il
long conference with the secret service
agent who expected to leave a few hours
later. During this conference a full dis
cussion Of the matter WAS had and MIR.
Chea than insisted that the secret service
agent cal to see Mr.. Theodore Price be
fore leaving the city, for the purpose of
finding out what connection he had with
the case II any, as his name had been
mentioned in one OF the letters published
as sNideltcc
Mr.. Cheatham was informed by the Sc
cret service agent that he had not been
able to secure any evidence from anyone
that would in the least connect Mr.. Price
with the affair and that lac had been told
by Mr.. Haas that he. Haas. did not know
Mr.. Price and had not any connection
with him in any way. Up to the time Mr..
Chatham left New York, he was inform
ed 10y the secret service man that he had
not seen Mr. Price Tor the reasons above
| stated and would not do so, it was his
opinion that it would be useless as he had
not beer able to SeclIr" any evidence that
would duplicate Mr.. Price. Up to the time
| the secret service clO$.u its report Mr..
Cheatham remained in close touch with
| him Tor the ru1poS" OF furnishing 1t with
any facts connected with the case that
were obtainabl". Mr.. CEcltham stated
| that he failed to learn any new facts or
| even suggestions from any one who might
know. that Mr.. Price was connected with
- tT,,y- I,
| vas very much surprised when he first no
5ired, in the report given out by Sec. Will
san TO the press the name of Mr. Theo-
| i"re Price mentioned SC prominently in
connection with the case. rs h" did not
know OF any evidence having been pre-
scented Or secured by anyone that would
| connection With the affair
(Signcd) Richard Cheatham."
| Secretary Wilson told Mr. Price as he
| had William NJ Wins, his attorney. ear
to make along the lines requested The
secretary explained in detail how the mat
ter had been brought to his attention by
Mr.. Van Ripper through Mr.; Cheatham
| and he had in turn referred it to the Sc
| cret service division of the treasury de-
rartment. by the officials OF which the in
vcSticati"n had been conducted. Their
report had been male to him and he in
| turn had made it public
| What had been made public therefore,
the secretary cNpE.in6d. was entirely tn"
ton of his statement which related to the
reorganization of the Statistcian's office.
Under these circumstances. he added. he
did not feel called upon to make an eX-
planation or withdraw anything that had
been given out. If Mr.. Cheatham saw
fit to make a statement regarding the
Mir. Ch"atham had. that was very Well
land good.
District Attorney Horgan H. Beach, to-
night declined to discuss the question
| l1Iti ets s4n no
his Office in the ease. He. however, made
the following statement explaining his ac-
ton in connection with tie inquiry:
office United States Attorney for the
July ., 1895
.On Friday last. 4 renort on an inves-
legation conducted for the past month by
the secret service division was laid before
mo by :hc secretary of agriculture with
whittier one Holmes. sometime acting sta
tisticaC Of the department, was on thu"
facts stated in the report. Individually
liable to criminal prosecution.
| con the afternoon Of the same day
|advis ed the secretary that on the case as
pr. scented to me no such proceeding would
As 10 the manner in which the invcs-
tigation was conducted or on the broader
question Of poSSibl" criminal ""nSniracv
| w;iS not collstilt.d; ana amy suggestion
from me in tl. ti"n lunrture as to either
subject would have hoen an improper in
trus on upun the admmiStlatiV" province
of the secretary.
81, is tlI.- duty Of the district attorney
on complaint regularly lodged or. without
complaint, whom til" facts within his own
knowledge. fairly warrant sGch Il course.
> to present to the grand jury alleged VIC
latinns of law. but II is equally his duty to
, avoid the slightest enCroarhmcnt on queS-
, lions Of mere administration i'll an eN"cu-
tive Department.
POSSIBILITY that the action of tho score
) tary may be misunderstood or that the
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