Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-28
TOUCH OF HUMANITY
IN A SORDID CASE

of little fellow with no powerful
friends. against whom the force Of
the government was turned In an eff
fort to anDihilate him. cannot give
his name, as he Is still in the govern
mcnt service and it would hurt him
still more-they crippled him but
did not beat him. Let us call him
Brandon says a writer in the Apple
tons for November.
Brandon was in the Treasury De-
partment at Washington in the office
Of the Supervising Architect. He
got 81 800 year. had wife and six
children, and owned a little home or
his own across the Potomac in Vir-
ginia. He was an ideal employee
and husband. He came originally
from Missouri, and one day his CHER
directed him TO so to certain towns
in Missouri to select sites for pub
lie buildings. Brandon packed his
grip and headed for his home state.
Word had t.een received that the
Treasury agent would soon arrive to
select the sites, and every patriot in
each town who had a piece of reai
estate was anxiously awaiting to eel
III t. the government. Brandon had
cousin. Vernon by name sort OF
itInerant dentist in Missouri, VIII"
lived largely by his wits. He heard
of Brandon's coming and the purpose
thereof, and decided that he could
net an honest dollar out of it for him
self. He attached himself to Brandon
and tried to make himself agreeable.
But as they struck each town, Yer
non located the anxious patriots with
land to sell ard sought each personal
L.
Il am a cousin Of that Treasury
agent" he would remark quietly. and
my word goes with him. Isn't 1t
worth five hundred 10 get your land
accepted
This worked first rate and Vernon
reaped a harvest.
Brandon returned to Washington
and made his report. Missouri heard
of it and Immediately a howl went
up from the disappointed ones. The
howl reached Washington and
special Commission was sent out to
investigate Branion's report and the
charges OF graft. The Commission re-
ported that Brandon selected the
most desirable location from every
point of view in every instance. But
they heard all about Vernon. Vernon
was indicted, Tried. convicted. and
| sent to the penitcntiary. Then the
Grand Jury indicted Brandon. without
q sciutiila Of evidence that he had
even indirect knowledge Of Vernon's
crook Cdncss.
Immediately upon his Indictment,
.hc Department: Of Justice sent a de
. -rand TO the Seer iary Of the Treasury
.ka. Re tt ignored - "os: Smcs
also demanded his reahC. A. ..s a.'.
one fr,ebJ a former omccr Of one
Of the Departments, who heard
o. these demands. and sought the
Secretary. He aked that Brandon
be not dismissed.
Mr.. Sccrctary."." he said. you are
too good a criminal lawyer 70 accept
an ind ictmcnt as proof Of guilt"
"Ths, rs So" answered the Score
tary. but !; goes a long way with
me: besides. the Department of Jus
i ticc insists.
i Brandon wa. dismissed He mort
gagged ms home to get money tn de
fend himself. He pcddled books fol
mrocy for broad for his family To
/ made eleven irirs to Missouri before
/ big case came 70 trial. Finally II
came 10 trial. and the Judge directed
an acqui,tai without aEy defense
HT andon was CLEARED. Brt he had los'
his home aud I"st his grip.
i One incidcn; in connection with the
case Is Interesting. About q month
before he ;riaI Brandop's fricnt
noted in the papers that Unite
States m.rshai IN Okiahorna had se''
indicted for S"m" sorrows ohersN
Tho paper said that hc had beet
a Rough Ridcr. u quoted also Dc
lciSiou by the Department. 1T Jusf'c'
IA -. ha