Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-13
MITCHELL's LETTER TO TANNER
Government Captures Oregon Senator's
Epistle to is Law Partner.

A dispatch from Portland, Ore, says:
Among the papers brought by Senator
MitcheIls secretary, Harry c. Robertson.
from Washington, D. c., was a letter from
Senator Mitchell to his law partner. Judge
Albert Fl. Tanner. dealing with their part
nershp agreements. The letter was sur
rendered by Mr.. Robertson to U. s. Attor-
ney Henry and appears as one of the
hibits In the against Senator Mitchell.
The government considers this letter OF
Senator Mitchell's valua bic to the case
they contend it shows the line of testi-
mony which Senator Mitchell desired Mr..
Tanner to give before the grand jury on
his second appearance before that body
The letter states:
WASHINGTON. D. c., February 8.
My Dear judge am almost afraid to
write a word, as the scoundrels will mis-
construe everything and distort all that Is
said Your friend with letter did not ar
rive here until today. Your letter only
ceived at pm. l have made search for
my copy Of articles of co-partnership of
1902. but 1 am unable to find it. l think 1t
must be among my papers I'm Office. Harry,
of course. prepared those articles. You will
see Harry on his arrival.
Il found our supplemental agreements of
date November ], 1904, which are all right.
Harry has these with him. Now the facts
are these, and you must deal with them ac
cordingy:
''First-Under our articles. I was not to
have any interest whatever in any business
you might do in any Of the departments on
any land matters.
''(2) AS matter of fact. l never knew
until now that any charges for any such
services had been credited either to me
the firm, or that my account had ever been
credited with any part thereof. / was
never furnished with any statement of any
bank account or OF any charges whateysr.
and 1 have nothing to do with the book.
nor did / see the same. You will remember
several times I cautioned you not to mix
xuif h 10 on
tiers.
"(3) To this day do not know what book
entries you have made, or what you did
with any cash or checks. If you ever re-
ceived any for service. Nor was 1 ever ad-
vised by you, did have any knowledge
that any part of any such cash or receipts
was placed to the credit of our firm or my
calf.
am sure. these are the facts. and am also
sure whatever entries you made, you never
intended I should have any part of such
cash checks, If any, and that you intend
ed that in some way in settling accounts
between US no part of such moneys or
checks should be any other but your indf-
vidual property. l had supposed of course,
that you had kept all such charges and ac-
counts in your own name.
There is no offense on your part In do
ing business for honest people in these land
matters 1 hope, therefore. you will do me
the Justice at the proper time in giving the
them You must not get ratified or alarmed.
Harry will doubtless identify the copart-
nership articles Of 1902 as having been pre-
pared by him. See him at once on his
rival Don't be interviewed until I see you.
and now. strictly confidential. don't tell
Harry. your son, or any one.
Cant you, 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 tho
company's books, day ledger; all OF them:
also your bank book l am extremely
anxious to see for myself personally what
the books show. Besides, 1t Is important
we should talk over with Fulton. who Is
TO help defend me in regard to the cases.
hope you can come.
IF so, don't let soul know you are
coming; not even Harry. And II you con-
clude to come, wire me as follows: John
leaves direct for Washington this evening"
Tanner ! hope you can come, and imme-
diately-before you are again before the
grand jury. Sincerely your friend.
JOHN H. MITCHELL.
.P. S-Don't show Harry this letter or
tell him anything In It,. Don't let him SEQ
our books. Tell him nothing.
''P. S.-keep all important papers In safe
and safe and office carefully locked. az
these scoundreis will get in II possible.
''P. S.-Burn this without fail