Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-02-15

but that if there was tacit under
standing that Hermann would do cer-
tain things for his part in the further
ance of the common purpose, that
would be sufficient evidence of con-
spiracy
Jury Out Two Days.
The jury retired at IL o'clock Satur-
day morning, and after nearly forty
eight hours deliberation, it's members
found themselves unable to reach a
verdict A discharge was accordingly
ordered by Judge Wolverton yester-
day morning, and the deliberators af-
ter having been kept virtual prisoners
for nearly five weeks, were permitted
to depart for their respective homes.
Attorney Heney says he is ready to
prepare for new trial. The defense,
on the other hand, having confidently
expected acquital, has made no plans.
Attorney Worthington had already
purchased his ticket to Washington,
and Judge Wolverton ordered court
convened an hour earlier yesterday
morning to permit the distinguished
lawyer to leave for the East at 10
o'clock.
Hermann's Long Public Record.
In many ways, the case against Mr..
Hermann is sad one. For nearly
fifty years the defendant has been a
well-known public man. He came to
Oregon when a boy, worked on a farm,
taught school, and educated himself
for a lawyer. He was made a Deputy
Collector of Internal Revenue, a State
Senator, Receiver of the Land Office at
Roseburg, and a Congressman from
Oregon for twelve years. He was ap-
pointed Commissioner of the General
Land Office by President Mckinley.
Oregon and was elected to fill out the
term of the man who had
defeated him for Congress in 1896.
Was again elected to Congress, but be-
fore his term expired, was indicted
by the United States Grand Jury on a
state and Government. For five years
this indictment hung over him, and
after a trial of five weeks, he must un-
dergo the ordeal again.
During all of the years of his en-
deavor, no one has ever charged that
Hermann was not honest in all of his
financial dealings. No one has ever
claimed that he used his various Of
fees to make money out of them, ex-
cept what belonged to him by right.
While men joked about his suave man
ners and jolly handshake, while others
questioned the sincerity of his friend
ship, his real innate honesty was new
er questioned. Sad indeed it was for
one, not even political supporter, to
listen to the terrible arraignment as
the Government attorneys sought to
weave around him a chain of circum-
stances indicating, as they claimed,
his guilt. Yet it was a relief to know
that these attorneys disclaimed any
purpose of Mr.. Hermann to gain
by what they asserted was a
of duty while his political friends
put dishonest dollars in their pockets.
Sad, indeed, it was! A man, nearly
70 years of age, surrounded by his
wife and children, sitting in the court
room while the attorneys for the Gov
charged him with betrayal
of his trust to gain political influence.
How rapt his attention to every word!
Again, turn to watch him as his at
torneys went over the testimony, build
ing up their theory that all he did was
for the public good, showing up the
motives of those who sought his ruin.
What could have been his thoughts as
the jury filed out of the courtroom,
and he knew that in the hands of
these twelve men rested his fate.
Would it be McNeill's Island and dis
grace or would it be freedom and his
home in Roseburg?
Guilty, Binger Hermann's punish
ment has been great. Innocent, the
wrong done him can never be righted.