The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-02
SCANDAL faint ON
PRESENT SENATE
Three Members Have Been In
dicted, the --latest Being
Mitchell Of Oregon.
New York Sun Special Service.

Mitchell Of Oregon.
New York Sun Special Service.
s Washington, Jan. 2.-The senate Of
The fifty-eighth congress will 90 down in
history as having witnessed an unprece-
denied number Of criminal proceedings
against its members:i Three senator's
have already been indicted for the lille
gal use Of influence to control govern
mental action for which they are ac-
cused of accepting compensation. These
are Charles H. Dietrich of Nebraska,
Joseph R. Burton of Kansas and John
H. Mitchell or Oregon, the latter in
dicted along with GGagr e g4aa Binge5
commissioner.
Dietrich First.
Mr.. Dietrich was the first. A return
was made by the grand Jury at Omaha
alleging that he had accepted money for
obtaining the selection of postmaster
at Hastings. Neb., his home town, and
by himself to be occupied by the post
office.
He was brought to trial, but the case
was dismissed by the sitting Judge, who
declared that no cause for action ex.
Mr. Mr.. Dietrich subsequently demanded
mittee was appointed to make the in
quiry and he was completely exonerated.
The acquittal came too late to be Of
assistance in prolonging his political ca
reer. and he will retire March 3.
I Burton's Case Pending.
Mr.. Burton was the next senator in
dicted. A true bill against him was
found by the grand jury in St., Louis;
la fee Of $4,000 from the Rialto Grain &
SECURITIES company for using his influ-
ence with the postoffice department. to
prevent the issuance, of fraud order
barring that, concern from the mails.
He was tried, convicted and sentenced
to pay fine Of $4,000, the amount of
the alleged bribe, and to be confined six
Epealed and his case is now awaiting an
opinion by the United States supreme
court. ~ s'st
He and his friends are confident that
the Judgment of the lower court will be
Now senatof Mitchell.
II Senator Mitchell has lust been in
dicted at Portland, Ore, on charge Of
accepting fee Of $4,000 for the use Of
his influence in securing patents for Ger
tain lands which were being fraudu
|lently entered. He denies the charge
declaring that a conspiracy has beef
} formed against him. -
He says: II am as innocent as {
babe unborn of any completely in any
land frauds in Oregon or elsewhere. +.
, assert in the most positive terms tina
: testimony of self confessed and con
victed land thieves and perjurers, VIII,
have been offered immunity in case the,
} meet the vindictive desire of Sec
. Rotary Hitchcock and his agents, VIII
:. have by their testimony involved nj
9 and others in the frauds. .s%s ,:
i eff an Indictment has been returne
!: against me, | am prepared to meet
= before a trial jury Immediately, and, j
L this connection. I defy the prosecutin
: officer to produce against me one pal
i ticlei5 Of evidence worthy Of a moment
belief which in any manner, improperl
Q frauds, or with anH confessed -crimil
e ais, and I shall DEMAND A. trial at, tn
D earliest possible mo1lent. -,
"That there have been frauds j
s Oregon, I do not deny, but, speaking fl
s myself, I do deny in the most pos
u tive and unqualified manner that hay
7, been in anywise, either directly or il
q directly, connected Herewith or r
a ceived any benefit therefrom. ,.s
< The case against Mr.. Dietrich can
~. - during a congressional recess, and hs
g., been dismissed by the. court before
. session Of the senate convened.
Il Keeps Out Of Senate. .
? From the day Of his Indictment to IL
y present Mr.. Burton has absented hir
9 self from the senate chamber and h;
a not attended any meetings Of commi
& tees in which he is member. He w
q given a quiet intimation that this w
n the best course, as his conviction,
e sustained by the court of last resol
a would act automatically. in removi1
q him from the senate, and if he persist,
"a in performing his duties it might be
81 offensive to other senators as to resu
q in action being taken looking to his g
a pulsion, the senate being sole authori
8 on the qualifications Of it's own mel
a bers. -
al Mitchell May Get Tip.
u eMr. Mitchell is now en- route to tt
81 city to attend the session of the sena
8 which will be resumed next Wednesda
q 1t is considered certain that he will
& given an intimation, similar to tn
IL which Mr.. Burton received, that it W
~ be best for him to remain away until
4 final disposition of his case is reache
"a In addition to these three indictmer
q one senator, Reed Smoot Of Utah, is /
u ing investigated with view to his e
n pulsion. 5% <
= This arraignment of senators is wit
"a out parallel In other congresses
u using his influence and in rare instanc
~ has resigned from apprehension that G
q pulsion might follow.