The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-02-13
IMPORTANT LETTER In
OREGON LAND FRAUDS
"LTMITED, PART
SERsHIP WITH TANNER.

Have IL Understood That All Trans
actions in Land Cases Were Inde-
pendent Of Him-Anxious, However,
to Have All Books and Papers
Brought ON to Washington Privately.
Portland, Ore, Feb. 12.-Among the
papers brought by Senator Michtells
secretary, Harry c. Robertson, from
Washington, D. c., was a letter from
Senator Mitchell to his law partner,
Judge Albert 2. Tanner, dealing with
their partnership agreements. The let
ter was surrendered by Mr.. Robertson
to United States Attorney Henry and
appears as one Of the exhibits in the.
case against Senator Mitchell.
The government considers this letter
of Senator Mitchells valuable to the
case in that as they contend that it
shows the line of testimony which
Senator Mitchell desired Mr.. Tanner to
give before the grand jury on his Sec
ond appearance before that body. The
letter follows:
Washing ton, ID. c., Feb 5.
My dear judge: am almost afraid
to write a word as the scoundrels will
misconstrue everything and distort all
that is said Your friend with letter did
not arrive here until o-day. Your let
ctr only received at 3 p. m. I have
made search for my copy of articles Of
partnership Of 1902, but + am unable
TO find it. I think it must be among
papers in office. Harry, of course, pre-
pared those articles. You will see Har-
ry on his arrival. II found our supple
mental agreements Of date November | ],
1904, which are all right. Harry has
those with him. Now the facts are
there, and you must deal with them
accordingly:
Under our articles I was not to
have any interest whatever In any bus
iness you might do in any Of the de-
partments ON any land matters;
20 AS a matter of fact 7 never knew
until now that any charges for any
such services had been credited either
had ever been credited with any part
thereof. as
II was never furnished with any
statement Of any bank account or Of
any charges whatever and have
nothing to do with the book, nor did +
see the same You will remember sey-
eral times I cautioned You not to mix
me up In any way with any land office
matters. s, s
'3To this day I do not know what
book entries YOU have made, Of what
you did with any cash or checks. if
you ever received any for service. Nor
was I ever advised by you, or did +
have any knowledge that any part of
any such cash or receipts was placed to
the credit Of our firm or myself. Now,
Judge, you will agree with me, I am
sure, these are the facts, and am also
sure, whatever entries you made, you
never intended ! should have any part
Of such cash or checks If any and
that you intended that in some way in
settling accounts between us no part
or such moneys or checks should be
any other but your Individual property.
I had supposed, Of course, that you
had kept all such charges and accounts
In your own name There is no offense
on your part in doing business for hon
est people In these land matters. hope
therefore you will do me the justice at
the proper time In giving the facts Just
ais they are and as 7 have stated them.
You must not get ratified or alarmed,
Harry will doubtless identity the CO
partnership articles of 1902 as having
been prepared by him. See him at
once on his arrival. Don't be inter
viewed until I see you and now, strictly
confidential, don't tell Harry, your
son, or any one. Can tyou Immediately
on receipt Of this drop everything and
come directly here Bring with you In
trunk, but don't let your family or any
one know, all the conpany's books, day
ledgers, all of them; also your bank
book; ais am extremely anxious to see
for myself personally what the books
show Besides, 1t is important we
should talk the matter over with Full
ton, who is to help defend me in re-
gard to the cases. I hope you can
come @ H&
EFF SO, don't let a soul know you are
coming, not even Harry. And IL you
conclude to come, wire me as follows:
John leaves direct for washington
this evening. Tanner do hope you
can come and Immediately, before you
are called again before the grand jury.
"Sinicerely your friend,
UTnhY, EJ MifnhaI1
sep. S.--Don't show Harry this letter,
or tell him anything in it. Don't let
him see our books. Tell him nothing.
"P. S.-Keep all important papers in
safe, and safe and office carefully lock-
ed. as these scoundrels will get in If
possible. II" - -
"P. s.--Burn this without fall
Subsequently to writing this letter
Senator Mitchell sent two messages to
former Judge Tanner, and tSese will be
introduced as evidence by the govern
ment in support Of it's contention that
the letter was intended to indicate
former Judge Tanners testimony. The
messages follow:
washington, Feb. s.
''Hon. A. I'll. Tanner, Portland:
Harry is due Portland Thursday
morning. Don't fail to comply with
my request. 1t is important. Don't be
interviewed
"Tohp TT Mitchell -