Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-02-13
Confession of Partner Brings
Out More Damaging Evil
dcnce In Land Cases
LETTER is MADE PUBLIC
Senator From Oregon Placed in Bad
Light by Publication of Letter
Which Shows He Was Apprchensive
Regarding Certain Deals Made by
His Firm.

Portland. Orc Feb. l3. The federal
grand jury Saturday afternoon n'dle'-
ed Congressman j. y. Williamson ana
his partner in the sheep business Van
C;esncr. also A. IL. lstggs, land COM
missioner at Princeville, ore. chsirg
ing conspiracy to dcfraud the United
States OF public lands
Tanner Confesses.
Judge A. IL. Tanner. Senator Mich
ellis law partner, confessed III Judge
Isillinger's court to perjury in his evil
dence given before the federal grand
Jury in connection with the investiga-
ton of land frauds in this state, when
testimony WAS being taken with
a view to connecting Mitchell with
the conspiracy to defraud the govern
mcnt.
Tanner, in his confession. stated that
there WAS business agreement be-
tween Mitchell and Tanner that Mitch
ell should have the proceeds of the
practice of the law firm IN the federal
courts, and that Tanner should have
the proceeds resulting from practice
before any of the governmental depart +
ments which would involve Senator
Mitchell's oath that he would not take
part in any law proceeding in which
the government is interested.
Tanners Full Statement.
Judge Alfred H. Tanner made the
following statement to the Associated
Press:
Ma, |. Ina ,y,i n
endured since january list. when
made the statement to the grand jury
concerning the date of the copartner-
ship agreement between Senator
Mitchell and myself. The last straw
came. however. when learned that the
federal grand jury was preparing to
indict my son who had written the
agreement between Mitchell and my
self on the typewriter for perjury, and
when learned that agents of the gov
ernment We're in possession of facts
proving that the document was not
signed on March 9Th. 1905. as had
sworn. but that it had been prepared
and signed last December
Tell Whole Truth.
81 expect to be called as a witness
In the case against Mitchell and | will
tell the whole truth regarding the bus
mess of the firm, without regard to
consequences"
Judge Tanner in his statement be-
fore the court told about the change
made in the contract between himself
and Mitchell. He said
when Mitchell was out here he
looked over the old contract and there
was Il clause in it he thought ought to
be changed and he told me to fix it,
and then drew it up in writing here,
changing the particular clause that he
(MitchelD thought would be dangerous
for him. and we signed it.
He Would Fix Robertson.
"At the time that was done said to
him, Now, Mr.. Robertson (Mitchell's
secretary), is the only man on earth,
except you and | that knows to the
ment. and Robertson will have to cor
roborate this thing. OF course. it may
get us into trouble
He said he would see what he could
do with Robertson, or something of
that kind. and the contract was left
with me in that shape. l have never
had any correspondence or any words
with the senator about it since he left
here"
Tanner to Get Money.
The new agreement signed in De-
cember of last year contained clause