Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-01-18
inside HISTORY OF A COUPLE OF
designations.
a Washington Core espondent of the
Boston Transcript Shows Up the
Causes of Resignation of United
States Attorney johnson in the
Indian Territory.

For some reason or other republican
editors who have had SO much to say
concerning the forced resignation Of
United States Attorney Baxter in Omaha
have had nothing TO say concerning the
voluntary resignation of United States
Attorney Johnson in the Indian Terri.
tory. And thereby hangs a tale.
The story is told by the Washington
correspondent for the Boston Transcript
in this way.
"United States District Attorney w.
B. johnson, of the southern district OF
the Indian Territory, has telegrapi,ed his
resignation to the president because the
department OF justice, acting on the
direct order of the president, has caused
the dismissal of certain indictments
against prominent Indian Territory men
which the district attorney has secured.
Mr.. johnson was nearing the end Of his
se 'ond term and had made successful
record. His was the biggest district in
the United States and he had tried more
than 1000 criminal cases. Something
more than year ago he obtained ev..
dence that the law firm of Mansfield.
McMurray & Cornish of South McAllis-
ter, Indian Territory. was concerned
with Ex-Governor Mosely, whom Mr..
Johnson bad succeeded as district at.
torney. and Governor Johnston, chief of
the Chickasaw tribe OF Indians. in an at
tempt to embezzle the funds of the tribe.
The scheme, according to the evidence,
was to present false expense accounts,
which Governor Johnston ordered paid
without vouchers. District Attorney
johnson submitted to the federal grand
jury evidence showing that the five men
had already obtained upward Of $92 900
by this means, and they were all indicted
for criminal conspiracy.
"rhe accused men had friends among
the influential republicans of the terri
tory and of Texas, who were also friends
OF President Roosevelt. Through these
friends the indicted men had their case
presented to the president, with tie re.
suit that an order was issued from the
department OF justice at Washington
that the cases should be continued over
the first term OF the court, which met in
Ardmore, Indian Territory, not long
after the indictments were returned.
The success of that effort led to renewed
appeals to the president. The accused
were trying to have the indictments dis.
missed without going into court. Secre.
tary Hitchcock heard what was going on
and caused an investigation to be made
on his own behalf. He was stisfied the
indicted men were guilty and should he
brought to trial.
"Secretary Hitchcock went to the
president and protested vigorously
against any interference with the process
of the courts. He was so emphatic in
his argument that Mr.. Roosevelt directed
the department of justice to cause an in.
dependent investigation to be made. In
fulfillment OF this direction District At
torney johnson was ordered to come to
Washington. He arrived here last week
and was followed almost Immediately by
McMurray and Cornish. A hearing was
had before Assistant Attorney General
Russell and both sides went over their
evidence. Mr.. johnson contended that,
inasmuch as the men had been indicted
by federal grand jury they should be
brought to trial, and argued that if their
evidence was as strong as they contend
ed, and they had such faith in its efficacy,
they should have nothing to fear from a
trial. Mr.. Russell reported to Attorney
General Moody that, in his opinion,
there was not sufficient evidence to insure
conviction. Upon that report, trans.
mitted to him. Mr.. Roosevelt ordered
the department Of justice to dismiss the
indictments.
Commenting upon this incident the
st. Joseph (No) News. Press says: "Just
why the president of the United States
should interfere with the trial of men
whom faithful officer OF the department
of justice insisted upon proceeding
against, is neither so easily understood
nor easily adjusted to Mr.. Roosevelt's
famous square deal' platform. Of course,
it may all be explained away, but until
it is, Mr.. Roosevelt is in queer position
before the people,"