The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-13
Letter of Senator Mitchell to
His Partner Made Public.
Telling Him How to Testify Be-
fore the Grand Jury.
HEEDS SUGGESTION.
Now Judge Tanner Is Sorry He
Concealed Truth.
COnfesses That He Was Guilty
of Perjury.

Portland, Ore, Feb. 13.-Among the
papers brought by Senator Mitchells
secretary Harry C. Robertson, from
Washington, D. c., was one from Sen
ator Mitchell to his law partner, Judge
Albert H. Tanner, dealing with their
partnership agreements. The latter was
surrendered by Mr.. Robertson to Unit
ed States Attorney. Heney and appears
as one Of the exhibits in the case work
ed up by Mr.. Heney against Senator
Mitchell.
The government considers this letter
of Senator Mitchelrs valuable to the
case in that they contend that it shows
the line of testimony which Mitchell
desired Tanner to give before the grand
jury, on his second appearance before
that body.
The letter follows:
Washington, D. c., Feb. 5.-1y Dear
Judge: I am almost afraid to write
word, as the scoundrels will miscon-
strue everything and distort all that is
said. Your friend with letter did not
arrive here until today. Your letter
only received at 3 p. m. have made
search for my articles of copartnership
of 1902, but 1 am unable to find it.
the office. Harry, of course, prepared
the articles. You will see Harry on his
arrival 1 found our supplemental
agreements, of date November 1, 1904,
which are all right. Harry has these
with him. Now, the facts are these,
and you must deal with them accord
ingly:
s'First, under our articles, was not
to have any interest whatever in any
business you might do in any of the de-
partments of any land matters.
Second, as a matter of fact, never
knew until now that any charges for
any such services had been credited
either to me or the firm or that my
account had ever been credited with
any part thereof, as I was never fur
nished with any statement of any bank
and I have nothing to do with the
book, nor did I see the same. You vii
remember several times l cautioned
you not to mix me up in any way with
any land Office matters
Third, to this day I do not know
what book entries you have made, or
what you did with any cash, or checks,
if you ever received any, for service
did I have any knowledge that any
part of any such cash, or receipts,
was placed to the credit, of our firm
or myself.
me- am sure, these are the facts,
and I am also sure, whatever entries
YOU made you never intended I should
have any, and that you extended that
tween us no part of any such money
or checks should be any other but
your individual property L had sup
posed, of course, that you had kept
all such charges and accounts in your
own name. There is no onense on
your part in doing business for honest
people in these land matters.
81 hope, therefore, you will do me
the Justice at the proper time in Civ
ing me the facts just as they are, and
as I have stated them. You must
not get ratified or alarmed. Harry VIII
doubtless identify the copartnersh1p
articles of 1902 as having been pre-
pared by him. See him at once on
his arrival. -.
and now, strictly confidential, don't tell
Harry your son, any one. Can't you,
Immediately on receipt OF this, crop
everything and come directly here? Bring
with you in trunk. but don't let your
family any one know all the com
pany's books, day ledger, all of them; also
your bank book, as am extremely anx-
fous to see for myself personally what
the books show. Besides, it is important
to help defend me, in regard to the cases
hope you can come II SO, oon l e.-asa
Harry. And if you conclude to come,
wire me as follows: John leaves direct
do hone You can come and Immediately
before you are called again before the
anu 'D- JOHN II. MITCHELL.
''P S.-Don't show Harry this letter.
or tell him anything IN It. Don let MIN
see our books. Tell him nothing.
sFP S-Keep all important papers in
safe and safe and office carefully locked
s sible sneSs s''u'iDis
"P. S.-Burn this without fall
Subsequent to writing this letter, Sem
ator Mitchell sent two messages to
Judge Tanner, which will be introduced
in support of its contention that the let
ter was intended to connect Judge Tan
ner's line of testimony. The messages
Washington, Feb. Sion. A. II. Ton
ner. Portland: Harry is due Portland
with my request, It is important. Don't
be interviewed. JOHN H, MITCHELL IL.
ner. Portland: I eam deeply grieved. I
am sure you are not guilty. Don't be ir-
terviewed. Say nothing. Don't fail 70
comply with my request in Harry's let
ter JOHN H. MITCHELL