The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-04

must be observed whether they affect
people in or out of position
Upon these men, a special United
States grand jury, devolves the duty of
investigating the Kansas land frauds,
alleged to be redolent with criminality.
The dragnet is expected to not only en-
tangle citizen Offenders, but the sins of
officials, perhaps of the past, perhaps
of the present, may be brought into the
glaring searchlight Of the United States
department of justice.
The laws of this government must be
observed, whether they affect people IN
or out of position
This was one of Judge Pollock's sig
nificant charges to the jury. Three diff
ferent times in his instructions did the
court drive home this point. It stood
forth as the bayonet on a soldiers gun.
This line is indicative as any: DO not
consider the standing of any person ac-
cused."
Who the Officials are; whether ''in
or out of position just what their
offense; whether it was connivance and
coIlusion for gain or merely the wink
ing of an eye''-all these things are
but very ripe matters for speculation.
There are rumors. and some or them
whisper of prison doors.
The actual work of the jury to in
vestigate the land frauds will not COM
mence until Tuesday afternoon or
more probably on Wednesday morn
| ing There is other work to do today
! and tomorrow. Included with a small
grist of miscellaneous prescribed let
| ter and postof11ce robbery cases, are
/ two indictments for murder to be re-
turned They are both from the Ninth
/ cavalry at Fort Riley, and all the par
! ties concerned are colored.
James A. Keeth killed Private Man
| lev on October 13. About week later
/ Henry Haraldson shot and killed Pri-
vata Chairman. Both cases are said to
have been provoked. Should verdicts
/ of murder in the first degree be return
/ ed, hangings may result. But this is
not likely.
Fencing Cases First.
The grand jury will very likely com
/ uence its work on the land frauds by
taking up the land fencing cases in the
| southwestern part of the state Much
grazing and pasture land has been en-
I Closed there illegally by cattIemen, and
this matter gave the grand jury its IN
ception.
A. R. Green, the special appointee
| of the department of the interior, was
sent here to make the investigation.
He has found much, but what it is
he naturally refuses to disclose. Al
/ of his information and evidence he
will place before the jury this week
Both he and the United States attor-
ney refuse to say how many cases are
ready, or anything OF their nature.
Green Has Four Assistants.
Fully rs witnesses have already
been summoned. T. E. Ryan, for
merly a special agent of the land de-
partment, but now resigned, is here tC
tell what he knows. Mr.. Green has
/ four men assisting him in his investi
cations. They are gathering evidence
in the fight.
The investigation will not be over
quickly but is expected to last a Ions
while. The searching has gone deeI
and has been thorough. The work o
the jury will take time, but th'
threshing out of the indictments vii
take much longer.
The jury as drawn contained 2;
names. Nineteen of these viii serve
W. c. Evans of Schroyer and G. Bar
nett of SpringdaIe are living off tn
district and as a consequence will no
serve. Reuben Vincent of Washing
ton did not report. j. J. Moore o
Randall was excused by the cour
upon his presentation of a physician
certificate that the duties as a juro
would be Injurious to his health. ]
A Constant Of Sabetha was named a
foreman. William Macferrans cash
Ter of the State Savings bank, is tn
only Topeka man serving on the graus
jury