Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-05
DIETRICH IN HIS DEFENSE
Former Senator Denies Allegations Made
BY John 6. NOsby.
DID NOT DEFEND OR AID cGTTLEMES
Attack I'm state Journal Inspired by
Friends of Joe BARLEY and
Enemies of u. E.
Thompson.

NED, Jan. =. - NcpeCldAsJ -
Former Senator Dietrich this morning made !
the following statement relative to the
charges by Colonel John s. Mosby of the
federal service that Mr.. Dietrich aided the |
cattle men in Illegally fencing and main
tanning fences on government lands In Ne |
braska:
my attention has been called to the
following interview with Colonel Mosby. |
which appeared, under Washington date, in
the Lincoln Journal January 3, 1907:
Colonel Mosby. who headed the guerilla |
forces in the south during the war OF the |
rebellion and who now holds an appoint, |
ment by President Roosevelt as special
agent for the Department of Justice, is Wig |
orous in his denunciation OF Senator Mil |
lard and former Senator Dietrich.
I" These senator's said Colonel Mosby, |
aided the cattle barons in Illegally fencing
and maintaining fences on the public do
Nebraska a few years ago by President
Roosevelt to order down illegal enclosures
both Senators Millard and Dietrich labored
hard to have men recalled to Washington
and permit the fences to stand. Failing to
block my way through their efforts at the
White House, they sought me personally.
Senator Dietrich went so far as to wire
me to come to Hastings, where he would
talk to me on matters that he could not
+" Besides these influences at work to
thwart the duties outlined for me to per-
form we're the allied interests of the cat
tie men-packers, commission merchants
and banking institutions Of Omaha and
other interests throughout the state.
Even some OF the cattle men-among
them Comstock and Richards, who were
convicted the other day-threatened my
life IL didn't leave the state.
scorned the threats on my life and
defed them. am afraid of no man or set
OF men and never was as my record in the
I was not slow in telling the fence vio-
lators would soon have them all In prison
Il l vas not called on by the president
a man to be bluffed by any interests or in
dividuals who want to take the law in
their own hands and defy justice.
so much opposition was there to my
proceeding against the cattle men that
received word from the Department of JUS
not respected / would be furnished with a
regiment of regular troops to carry them
out, IL necessary.
"'There is no doubt in my mind that
both Millard and Dietrich defended the
cattle barons for no other reason than to
protect their own banking interests, which
were then, and are probably still, largely
supported by the cattle men,
Dietrich DenOunces Charges.
'T have been the victim OF many Infamous
charges made by enemies which have been
absolutely false, just as the above charges
made by Colonel Mosby are. As to the
above charge concerning Senator Millard
and myself. 1 answer for myself only and
not for Senator Mlllard, as 1 do not know
what his relations are or have been with
the cattlemen. If Colonel Mosby stated
that ever aided or encouraged any In
dividual irm or corporation to Illegally ac-
quire title to, or enclose any part OF the
public domain. he Is an Infamous liar.
Second, II 1t is true that Colonel Mosby
stated that any person, firm or corporation
who has illegally enclosed public lands, or
any of the cattlemen who have been in
dicted. ever owed any money to the bank
of which 1 was president ever were or In
any way obligated to the bank or myself,
personally, directly or indirectly, he stated
that which is absolutely false.
THE only semblance OF truth In his al
legged statement which applies to any act
of mine, and which he tries to misconstrue,
was that by request of the cattlemen 1
arranged a meeting for them with President
Roosevelt and Secretary Hitchcock of the
Interior department believe that meet
ing was held early in the year of 1903 at
the White House. The result of that meet
ing was that the cattlemen gave their
word Of honor to the president and Secre-
tary Hitchcock that all OF their illegal
| fences would be removed on or before the
time set, which l believe was to be July /,
1904. The cattlemen, as well as myself
left that meeting satisfied that no further
action would be taken by the government
until after the time agreed upon.
Sorry for CattIemen.
For more than fifteen years the statutes
had been violated by the cattlemen and
condoned by the government, and the presi-
dent, Secretary Hitchcock and myself SYM
pathized with the predicament OF the cat
tlemen. and knew that they would sustain
an enormous loss and inhuman treatment
OF the live stock unless they had a reason
able time to remove their fences and make
preparations for change OF conditions
| and had the cattlemen lived up to their
promises made at that time, none of them
would now stand indicted nor convicted
No man has condemned those same men,
either publicly privately, more severely
than myself.
Colonel Mosby's statement that wished
to have a COR '>rence with him is true,
and had such conference been held 1
would have explained to him in confidence
the understanding which had been had be-
tween the president. Secretary Hitchcock.
the cattlemen and myself. and nothing
more, and his attempt by inuendoes that
I had any Intention OF doing anything con-
trary to what has been above stated Is
false, wicked and unmanIy.
! OAahchbcs ms DctractOEns
In conclusion. / wish here and now to
state, and l challenge any person or persons
for proof TO the contrary, that every act
Of mine as q public servant, both as
governor of this state. and as United
States senator. has been as honest
and honorable. and as free from
any wrongful influences or motives as has
been the acts and career OF President
Roosevelt, that Colonel Mosby and my
enemies commend 10 highly and in whom
the people justly have such confidence. /
have been the victim OF such scoundreIs
as Joseph s. BARLEY. the defaulting state
treasurer whom 1 refused 20 pardon, and
his bosom friend. w. g. Summers, ex-
United States district attorney. who was
afterwards instrumental In securing his
pardon from my successor; Leopold Hahn,
the eK-saloon keeper whom / deposed as
postmaster at Hastings. who were aided
by Senator Millard and the bitter enemies
} Of D. q. Thompson, In order TO destroy my
influence ana to punish me because / w0uid
not do their bidding.
Now. having made a frank denial az
TO charges against myself and Colonel
Mosby, / shall expect Colonel MOsby, II
he be brave and honorable man. TO give