Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1905-07-07
SENATOR MITCHELL

Inc Dl0W mas Iallen, ana JOnn H.
Mitchell, old in years and broken in
health, stands before his countrymen
convicted of the charges brought
against him 10y the Government
which he has so long served. The
conviction of the aged Senator causes
no surprise. Several days ago it be-
came apparent to those who were
following the testimony brought out
in the trial that, il the jury refused to
be influenced by sympathy or
prejudice, the verdict could not be
other than guilty as charged in the
Indictment. The evidence against the
defendant was strong, and proved his
technical guilt beyond the faintest
shadow of doubt. Practically no
defense was offered, and the mass Of
damning evidence produced by the
Government was allowed to stand un-
challenged. Senator Mitchell did not
even take the stand to deny the
charges against him, but appeared to
depend entirely upon the eloquent and
sympathetic pleas Of his attorneys to
secure verdict of acquittal.
The result of the trial causes only a
feeling Of sadness among the people
Of Oregon regret for the aged Sena-
tors own sake, and regret that such a
blight has fallen upon the fair name
of the state he has so long represented
1t was the hope Of all the people, his
friends and his enemies included, that
he might be able to prove his inno-
cence of the serious offense with which
he was charged and thus help to
remove the cloud that has been hang
ing over the good name of Oregon.
While the charges against Senator
Mitchell were direct and specific, and
while all the circumstances seemed to
be against him, it was hoped that
when the case came to trial he might
be able to make good his oft-repeated
protestations of innocence and put
his accusers to rout; but no such evil
dence was forthcoming, and nothing
remains but to accept the verdict of
the jury as just and righteous.
Senator Mitchell had fair trial.
No effort was made to shield him,
neither was there any disposition to
persecute him. While prosecuted by
one of the brightest criminal lawyers
in the United States, he had the
services Of two of the ablest lawyers
in the country in his defense. The
jury was composed Of intelligent and
honorable men, representing every
portion of the state, geographically.
The trial Judge seemed fair and i'm
partial In his rulings, and his in
structions to the jury, if favoring
either side, appeared to lean toward
the defense. The jury had an un-
pleasant task to perform, but per-
formed it manfully. In the face Of
the evidence and their sworn obliga-
tion to do justice, these men could not
bring in a verdict Of acquittal, but
they could ask for mercy for the
prisoner, and such a plea they in
corporated in their verdict.
The outcome of the Mitchell trial
will go far towards wiping away the
stain on the name of Oregon, placed
there by the widespread practice of
fraud in connection with public land
matters. The verdict of the jury
proves to the world that the people of
Oregon do not approve Of wrong
doing, whether the wrongful act be
committed by the humblest citizen or
by men high in authority. 1t proves
that public morals are in u healthy
condition, and that crime will not be |
pardoned nor condoned merely to
shield the name of the state Oregon |
will suffer no disgrace in the eyes of
the Nation, now that it is known that
her people do not sanction wrongful |
appropriation of the public lands.
In justice to Senator Mitchell, it
should be said that the offense of
which he is convicted is not one Of the
gravest character, nor one involving
great moral turpitude. Mitchell has
probably done no more than hundreds
OF other Senators aud Congressman
have done, that is, practiced their pro-
fession before the various Depart
ments in cases whore the Government
was interested and accepted a fee forit.
The only unfortunate feature for
in his case is that he got
caught at it. D."
OF Senator Mitchelrs long public
career and his good work for Oregon,
It is unnecessary to speak here. HIS
life aud record are known to all the
Deople of his state. and his good deedN
yill live after him. The Senator's {