Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1905-06-29
MITCHELL ON RACK

MITCHELL ON RACK
ACCUSED SENATOR MUCH DIS.
TuRsED AT testimony.
Harry Robertson Tells of Expeditine
Of kribs claim-Attorneys for De.
Tense unable to Shake His Testi.
mony-Government Closes Its Case.
Portland, Ore, June 27.-Harry Rob.
ertson, United States Senator John
n. Mitchen's former private secre.
tary, was the principal witness for the
prosecution iii the trial of Senator
Mitchell. Robertson told fully, with
with Mitchell at Washington, OF the
latters fear of prosecution for his
work Before the departments and of
Mltchell's rage when Robertson ex-
pressed to his employer the belief that
denial was useless, as several knew
of the connection of the firm of Mitch
ell & Tanner with the work of get
ting the Kribs claims expedited and
the likelihood that the whole story
would come out.
Upon being subpoenaed to appear
before the grand jury, the witness
said he went to Senator Mitchell and
showed him the summons, asking the
senator what he could be wanted in
Portland for. The senator said it was
to testify about the accounts of the
law firm of Mitchell & Tanner, and
told him that Tanner and his son were
threatened with indictment. Mitchell
told Robertson that when he reached
Portland he should go to Tanner and
look at the partnership agreement
and Tanner would tell him how to
testify. The senator had cursed the
prosecution and had said anything
was justifable in defying the govern.
ment. On Robertson's return to Wash
ington. after appearing before the
grand jury. Senator Mitchell, the wit
ness said. shook his fist in Robert
sons face and swore at him for his
actions in Portland, and Robertson
thereupon resigned his position. In
continuing. the witness said Mitchell
finally acknowledged that he had
known Kribs and remembered the
partnership agreement with its damag.
ing clause. He cried and swore and
said that he ought not to be prose-
cuted for the matter, as he had only
received few small checks for what
he had done.
The evidence given by Robertson
was direct. He identified letters given
by Mitchell at Washington to be de-
livered to Tanner. but which were
given to Prosecuting Attorney Heney
and the grand jury, keeping nothing
back, but telling to the best of his
recollection the plans made by Mitch
ell and Tanner to evade prosecution
and how these schemes came to
naught. The former bookkeeper of
the firm of Mitchell G. Tanner and
later secretary of the senator sup
ported strongly with his testimony the
allegations of the indictment upon
which Mitchell is being tried.
During the recital of Robertson's
testimony, Senator Mitchell showed
every evidence of mental agony. He
writhed in his chair and protested
with his attorneys for allowing the in
PRODUCTION of the evidence.
Robertson underwent severe cross
examination, but the defense could not
shake his testimony. The government
then closed it's case.
The defense then opened its case.
calling six witnesses, all of whom
testified to having received assistance
from the defendant before the various
departments, in each case of which
the senator had refused compensation.
1t is the opinion that Senator Mitchell
will take the stand in his own behalf.