Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-18


would go up to the land office at
once and ascertain the status Of the
case. and asked him to 20 along with
me-"
At the land office. the senator con-
tinued. they we're told that the field
reports In the cases were all in and
the cases we're ready for examination
In the general land office as soon as
reached in their regular order. but
that it would be some considerable
time before they would be reached.
Senator Mitchell said he was further
told at that time that there had been
three reports, all favorable, made on
all the twelve entries, one , y the reg
lister and receiver, c. B. Moores and
VIM. Galloway, at Oregon City, ore
one a Republican and the other
Democrat, both men of the very best
character-and two representatives OF
special agents in the field, and that
these reports were all favorable.
This information was obtained from
some of the subordinate officials. The
situation was then presented to Com
missioner Hermann The commissioner
explained to him Ohe senator) that
cases could not be made special unless
some good reason was shown by af-
1davit why they should be advanced.
Puter, who was present, the senator
continued. told the sympathy story
about the woman, and Hermann sug-
gested that he CPuter) put his reasons
for making the cases special in the
form of an affidavit. and he would con-
slider II It was proper to advance them.
Puter and Mrs. Watson then went to
the senator's office at the latter's sug-
gestion, where two affidavits were pre-
pared without cost to them. Senator
Mitchell then read to the senate the
two affidavits, both of them detailing
the facts in the case as they already
have been briefly stated. Relying upon
these affidavits, the senator, in a let
ter to Commissioner Hermann dated
March 3, asked that the cases referred
to be made special. Three days later
he received a letter from Mr.. Her
mann which said in part:
Mr.. Herrmann's Letter
"Action on these entries has been
suspended awaiting reports from a
special agent as to certain charges
which have been made to the effect
that the entrymen had not complied
with the requirements of the homestead
law. These reports have recently been
received and will be acted upon at
once"
Several days later, the senator said,
Puter came to him and expressed fear
that although the cases had been made
special, 1t would be long time before
they were considered, and that Mrs.
Watson was very much worried, as
she was being pressed for the money
secured by mortgages. If they could
be satisfied that the cases would be
soon and without any great
lelay they would remain there until
action had been taken; otherwise they
would return home at once. The SEN
ator replied in substance that he
thought they were giving themselves
worry; that as the cases
had been made special, he had mo-
doubt they would be taken up, consid-
cred and acted upon at an early date.
AS he was going to the capitol he vol
to stop at the land office with
Putcr and find out if possible how long
before the cases would be considered.
When he spoke to Mr.. Hermann about
hem the latter expressed the opinion
hat the consideration of the cases
would not take a long time, but that
rs he was very busy he thought he
would turn them over to Assistant
Commissioner Richards for considera-
ion. This he did in his (the senator's)
presence. The senator then introduced
2uter to Richards as a respectable citi- |
zen of Oregon-"which," he continued,
I had then every reason to believe to
De true-and the man interested in
he cases. who was anxious for as early
as possible. This is my
whole connection with Puter and with
these lands.
Hdu noI lHe SlSnIeSI lued III 40
Ing what l did that there was anything
wrong about the entries or any Of
them"
Received No Money
For what L did before the land office
in connection with these twelve entries,
as l heretofore stated, 1 was not
offered neither did 1 receive at any
time, either two thousand dollars or
any other amount of money, or any
other thing of value, from S. A. D.
Puter or any other person"
The senator said in conclusion:
Il have been declared by improved
charges to be unworthy to remain
longer as your associate, and being
conscious of the absolute rectitude of
my actions and of my innocence of all
wrong, 1 have deemed it not only my
right, but my duty. to myself and TO