The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-09-04
WHAT INFLUENCE HAS POLITICS
HAD AT WASHINGTON.

HAD AT WASHINGTON.
Oregon has given the direct primary
law a test having elected it's United
States senator, congressman, state,
county ana municipal officers under
that system. Whether or not the re-
suits have been beneficial or whether
or not the administration of public at
fairs has been improved is still an opeL.
question. .
At the time the direct primary law
was passed in that state, oregon was
the scene of the greatest land fraud
trials in the history of the west The
state was divided politically INFO two
factions and the bitter gonism
extended to every corner of that COM
monwealth. The factions We're known
as the Mitchell and anti-Mitchell fac
tions, the former being in control of
the POLITICAL situation. Jack Mathews
was the acknowledged leader and die
tator in the Mitchell wing and his
word was law in the legislature and
elsewhere. Everything was passed up
to Jack.
While this great political machine
was at the height of it's glory, Heney,
Burns and Neuhausen swept down
upon them and many of the leaders
of the organization We're indicted for
gigantic frauds carried on in an ap
parentiy organized manner Senator
Mitchell, Congressman Williamson and
many others were convicted. The
smooth Herman, he of the fatherlE
whiskers and pump handle hand shake,
remained silent but managed to have
his rial at home postponed until the
Indictment at Washington was dis
posed of He was acquitted at the
capital and has never been brought to
trial in oregon.
Scores of men in Oregon, the great
majority of them members of the OIL
Mitchell faction, are now resting un-
der indictments never having been
brought to trial.
At the beginning of the land fraud
Investigations, John Hall. then United
States district attorney, was dismissed
at the request of Mr.. Heney, and later
indicted for fraud. Jack Mathews
was dismissed from the United States
marshars office but never indicted.
William Bristol was appointed Halls
successor and it was announced that
the offenders would be brought to
Justice. Senator Fulton, the only
member of the Oregon delegation not
indicted, disapproved of the appoint
ment of Bristol and held UP his con-
firmation. The president reappointed
Bristol regardless of the lack of con-
firmation by the senate and again it
was announced that the graft and
fraud prosecutions would proceed.
About this time an election under
the primary law took place in Oregon.
A new senator was elected, new con-
gressmen were sent 10 Washington and
new state officers were elected.
What had become of the old ma
chine? Had it gone to pieces under
fire from the national government?
Did the dear people put their stamp
of disapproval on its methods or were
they so unconcerned as to no. care
Did they investigate in regard to the
candidates and get any reliable in
formation? They alone can answer
However. if results speak for any
thing it would appear that there is
still something wrong with politics in
that state. Now comes the announce
ment from Washington that the land
fraud prosecutions will be dropped.
Scores OF indicted men will never be
tried. William Bristol will be deposed
and another man of BOurne's selection
given the place. Heney and Burns
VIII not return and complete their
work.
\ presidential campaign is hear at
hand. Oregon is TO elect a senator,
congressman. and state officials. 1t is
thought best to drop the fight against
the land grabbers.
Politics has undoubtedly played a