The San Francisco call., 1905-02-13
MitChell'S Letter to
Tanner in Hands
Of Heney.
EpiStle Considered Strong
Evidence Against the
Senator.
Correspondence Believed TO Have
Prompted Testimony Given by
Associate of Accused.


PORTLAND. Or, Feb. 12-Among
the papers brought by Senator Nit
chelrs secretary, Harry c. Robertson,
from Washington, d. c., was one from
Senator Mitchell to his law partner,
Judge Albert III. Tanner, dealing with
their partnership agreements. The let
ter was surrendered by Robertson to
United States District Attorney T1eney
The Government considers this letter
of Senator Mitchells valuable to its
the line of testimony which Mitchell
desired Tanner to give before the
Grand Jury on his second appearance
before that body. The letter follows:
Washington, D. c., Feb 5, 1905.
Ny Dear Judge: I am almost afraid
to write word, as the scoundrels will
misconstrue everything and distort all
that is said. Your friend with letter
did not arrive here until to-day. Your
letter only received at p. IN. 1 have
made search for my articles of coz
find them. I think it must be among
by papers in office. Harry, Of course,
prepared these articles You will see
Harry on his arrival l found our
supplemental agreements, of date No
vembcr l, 1904, which are all right.
Harry has these with him.
Now the facts are these. and you
must deal with them accordingly
First, under our articles I was not to
have any interest whatever in any
business you might do in any of the
departments with any land matters
Second, as a matter of fact, / never
knew until now that any charges for
any such services had been credited
either to me or the firm or that my ac-
count had ever been credited with any
part thereof.
NO STATEMENTS.
Il was never furnished with any
statement of any bank account or of
any other things whatever, and 1 have
nothing to do with the book, nor did !
see the same, and you will remember
several times / cautioned you not to
mix me up in any way with any land
office matters. Third, to this day l do
not know what book entries you have
made or what you did with any cash
or checks, If you ever received any for
service. Nor was ever advised by you
or did I have any knowledge that any
part of any such cash or receipts was
placed either to the credit of our firm
or myself
Now, Judge, you will agree with me-
l 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 or checks, if any
and that you intended that in some
way in settling accounts between us no
part of any such moneys or checks
should be mine, but your individual
property. l 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
fnr T.
these land matters. l hope, therefore
you will do me justice at the proper
time in giving the facts just as they
are and as / have stated them. You
must not get ratified or alarmed.
Harry will doubtless identify the co.
partnership articles of 1902 as havins
been prepared by him. See him at once
on his arrival. Don't be interviewed
until / see you, and now, strictly con.
fidential, don't tell Harry, your son. O,
any one.
WANTS FIRMS BOOKS.
Cant you Immediately on receip,
of this. drop everything and come di-
rectly here? Bring with you In trunk
but don't let your family or any one
know, all the company's books, day
ledger, all of them; also your bank
book, as / am extremely anxious to
! see for myself personally what the
I books show. Besides, it is importan,
we should talk over with Fulton, who
is to help defend me in regard to the
costs. 1 hope you can, come. If so
don't let a soul know you are coming
not even Harry. And if you conclude
to come, wire me as follows: John
leaves direct for Washington this
, evening. TANNER
II do hope you can come and i'm
! mediately before you are called again
before the Grand Jury. Sincerely
your friend.
JOHN H. MITCHELL"
"P. S.-Don't show Harry this let
ter, or tell him anything In it. Don't
let him see our books. Tell hin,
nothing.
(. "P. S.-Keep all important papers
in safe and safe and office carefullx
, locked, as these scoundrels will get In
| if possible
"P. S.-Burn this without fall
Subsequent to writing this letter
Senator Mitchell sent two MESA ges
to Judge Tanner, which will be intro
duced as further evidence by the Gov
ernment in support of its contention
that the letter was intended to direc,
Judge Tanners line of testimony. The
messages follow:
..WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Hon. A
III. Tanner, Portland: Harry is due
Portland Thursday morning. Don,
fail to comply with my request. 1t is
important. Don't be interviewed.
JOHN H. MITCHELL
WASHINGTON, Feb. s.-Hon. A.
II. Tanner. Portland: Harry is due
srieved. / am sure you are not guilty
Don't be interviewed. Say nothing
Don't fail to comply with my reques,
| in Harry's letter
=