Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-17
Senator Mitchell Heartily
Greeted by His Associates.
CONFIDENCE EXPRESSED
MANY SENATORS MUCH AFFECT
ED BY HIS WORDS.
Consideration Of the Statehood Bill Re-
sumed-Date Set for Frances e. Will
lard Statue Ceremonies.

Senator MitchelPs personal explanation
in the Senate tins afternoon caused Ora
matte scene which has seldom been equaled
in that body. There was very great interest
among senators in what Senator Mitcneil
would say, and when he read his statement
in relation to his connection with the iano
cases of Oregon. for which he has been IN
dicted for alleged conspiracy to defrauo the
government, nearly every senator, both re-
publican and democrat, was in his seat.
Nearly every senator took occasion, at
one time or another, to shake his hand ana
to say some word of confidence In his In
tegrity. In the Senate there is genuine
feeling of sympathy with the Oregon sena-
tor, many senators declaring that this sym
pathy comes to them with especial force
as they recognize the danger of being
placed in the same position. and they say
that Senator Mitchells manner OF treating
this case, in which he has become involved
in so unfortunate a way is exactly as sena-
tors are accustomed to treating such cases.
When Senator Mitchell finished the read
ing of his personal explanation there was
round of applause in the galleries
Immediately after the Senate convened
today Mr. Perkins (Cal) presented and had
read a protest from the California legisla-
ture against Commissioner Yerkes' recon-
mendation Of tax of % cents per gallon on
grape brandy. The protest was referred to
the committee ON finance. :
Mr.. Lodge presented the conference re-
port ON the Philippine bond and railroad
bill, and explained the House amendments.
OF these, he said, there were only two of
importance. one of which, he said, regu-
lates the distribution of the earnings and
profits Of railroad companies, and the other
provides for an appeal to the insular su-
preme court of suits at law in which the
government may be interested. The report
was ordered printed. +al
At the instance Of Mr.. Cullom the Senate
adopted a resolution, setting, February II, at
3 pm. as the time for receiving the statue
of Frances e. Willard, the temperance ad-
vocate contributed by the state of Illinois
to statuary hall in the Capitol. The statue
will be the first figure of a woman to be
placed in statuary hall.
Mr.. Mitchell Heartily Welcomed.
While the routine business of the morning
hour was in progress Mr.. Mitchell (Ore)
entered the chamber. 1t was his first ap-
pearance in the Senate since the Indictment
against him by a grand jury of his own
state of completely in land frauds, and his
entrance created evident interest. The an
nouncement that Mr.. Mitchell would ad-
dress the Senate in explanation or the
charges against MIN ndQ. the eIIeCl VI IillIis
the galleries, and there also was a liberal
attendance of senators. sL -
Mr.. Mitchell took his customary seat in
the rear of the chamber, and was imme-
diately surrounded by other senators, who
shook his hand warmly and, gave him
surance of confidence i'm his innocence. The
welcome was SO hearty and so general that
the senator was nearly overcome, so that
when few moments later he rose to speak
his voice was fer a time almost inaudible.
and it was difficult for him to proceed on
account of emotion.
Mr.. Mitchell read his Statement from
manuscript. An abstract appears in an
other column. AS he proceeded his voice
cleared. and there was little difficulty in
hearing him throughout the chamber. He
had the undivided attention of senators and
visitors throughout his recital The senators
almost to a man faced about when Mr..
Mitchell began to speak. and few of them
changed position until he closed. The scene
was impressive.
An Affecting Scene.
Mr.. Mitchells statement consumed about
three-quarters of. AN hour. Toward the
close his voice was broken by sobs. and he
was compelled to frequently dry his eyes
with his handkerchief MANY other senator's