VOL. XLTV. !NO. 13,740.
PORTLAND, OREGON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1904.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
NDICT F.P.MAY!
Grand Jurors Charge
Him With Fraud.
HELD TO BE -IN RING
State Senator Accused
of Conspiracy.
DENIES THAT HE 18 GUILTY
McKinley, Puter and Others Are
Indicted With Him.
DETAILS OF ALLEGED CRIME
Prominent Attorney Is Charged With
Defrauding Government of Land
This He Denies, Declaring
Prosecution Was Unfair.
THE CHARGE AGAINST F. P. MATS
That on December 23, 1901, he did, by
means of false and forged affidavits,
false and forged applications, homestead
entries and proofs of settlement, and by
the use of fictitious persons, conspire to
defraud the Government of the United
States out of a portion of Its public
lands situated In township 24 south and
ranee 1 east. That he secured throe
quarter sections of land as the result of
this conspiracy, -which land be trans
ferred, using the name of his clerk,
Tbaddeus S. Potter, In the transaction.
THE STATEMENT OF F. P. MATS
Mr. Mays In his statement to the public
says that he has not done wrongr and is
not cniity of Any crime against the
Government In any way; that fie has
act beeA accorded the prlv!lcpv'jatly
g-stei to persons coming Beiori the
trand Jury for consideration; that he
rns not been allov-ed to make any
statement in explanation of his connec
tion with the case, which statement. If
it had been allowed, would have pre
vented the Indictment being returned
against him. He is Indignant at the
treatment accorded him by the Gov
ernment attorneys and does not think
he has had a fair deal at their hands.
The grand jury or the United States
has said that Franklin Pierce Mays.
State Senator and attorney of
Portland, Is guilty of conspiracy Ho de
fraud the Government out of a portion
of Its public lands situated In township
24 south, range 1 cast, and has linked
with him as his fellow-conspirators the
names of Horace G. McKinley, S. A. D.
Puter, Marie L. Ware, Emma L. Watson,
D. W. Tarpley, Robert Simpson, John Doe
and Robert Roe.
Judge Bellinger, at the request of
Deputy District Attorney Heney, fixed
the bond of Mr. Mays at $4000. the same
In amount
of the other
defendants
e previous
cases were,
against the
new indict
the rest of
the defend!
Mr. May
treatment
at the unfair
has been
thown him
ent attorneys.
He asked that h
ed to go be
beTflow
fore the jury, declaring that he would bo
able to explain any testimony brought
against him. and to show that he was not
criminally connected with the Puter
Watson ring, but that he had aroused
their displeasure and was being forced
to pay for it. He will maintain his in
nocence In the courtroom and is confident
that ho will be able to show that there
was a mistake made in his case when tho
Indictment was returned against him.
The first Indictment to bo returned by
the grand jury was voted yesterday morn
ing at 11 o'clock and was reported to the
court at 4:25 In tho afternoon. In formal
language the document charges that the
defendants conspired together on Decem
ber 23, 1901, to defraud the Government
of a portion of Its lands, situated In town
ship 24 south, range 1 cast, by the use of
false and forgea applications, affidavits
and .proofs of homestead entry and set
tlement. Some of the applicants were
fiotitious persons, but .others-werc roal
and were secured by Puter and McKinley.
The Alleged Conspiracy.
In the case of the real claimants the
indictment alleges that the fraud lay In
the laws not being observed and further
that no sufficient consideration had been
paid for the lands so conveyed. It is
also alleged 'that the defendants knew
that the affidavits were false and forged,
that the persons were fictitious and that
no one had ever resided on the lands so
filed upon and secured.
It Is further alleged that F. P. .Mays
on January 31, 1902, caused Thaddeus S.
Potter and Martha H. Potter, as his
agents, to execute a deed to William A.
Peters for the south half of the north
east quarter and the south half of the
northwest quarter, the east half of the
northeast quarter and the east half of the
southeast quarter of section 12 in the
-township mentioned. On June 27, Potter
and his wife sold to M. F. Henderson the
southeast quarter of section 2 In town
ship 24.
"Emma L. Watson had previous to this
time deeded the same land to -Potter,
tit la further stated by-the indictment
. .
that the defendants presented on Decem
ber 31, 1901, to the Land Office at Rose
burg, the final receipts issued by J H.
Booth, In the claims of Robert G. Tup
man. James E. Warwick, Frank H.
Heme, William H. Watkins, all fictitious
persons, and at the same time presented
the affidavit of Emma L. Watson to the
effect that she had lost the final receipt
to the Samuel L. Carson claim, Carson
' being a fictitious person. A similar affi
davit was presented in relation to the
Robert Simpson claim. The receipts
were presented by John H. Shupe, an at
torney of Eugene, who represented the
defendants in their transactions, but who
is not supposed to have had any knowl
edge of the nature of the transactions.
On the same day that the receipts were
presented by Shupe, patents were issued
from the Land Office. '
The -witnesses who were examined
by the Jury were S. A. D. Puter, Emma
Ll Watson, Marie L. Ware, Horace G
McKinley, Clyde Lloyd and Thaddeus
S. Potter.
Franklin Pierce Mays is thus brought-
forward as a leader in the alleged
conspiracy. This is true for two reas
ons, one that he is at present the only
one of the defendants -who does not
confess his guilt; the other because of
his high standing before the public in
a -professional and political way.
The story of the conspiracy and
fraud charged in tho Indictment re
turned yesterday is the same as that
of, the former trial to a great extent,
and in fact brings in many of the same
witnesses and much of the same testi
mony. Tactics of the Prosecution. -The
hew indictment will In fact take
the place of the Indictment upon which
the case postponed was founded. The
latter case will not be tried and will
be dismissed or the indictment quashed.
And In this appears more of the cun
ning of the prosecution. At the open
ing of the second case the main argu
ment of the defense was on a motion
of previous conviction, it being con
tended that since the indictment was
general and stated no definite or cer
tain land, therefore it Included the
lands just tried out in the court and
in theory placed the defendants twice
in jeopardy.
Now comes the prosecution with a
new indictment stating that the con
spiracy had to do with lands in town
ship 24 south, range 1 east, and thus
removes the shadow of doubt raised by
the defense, and opens a clear way to
trial.
Mr. Mays will be the leading figure in
the case, if it comes to trial, and tho
story as it will be told by the prosecu
tion will be an interesting one. Ac
cording to it. Mays and Puter were old
friends and had before this time had
many business dealings together.
Puter went to Mays, so the story will
run, and told him that there was not a !
single entry filed upon the whole of j
township 24. He also stated that It
would be possible to' locate men on the
land if the claims so located could be
patented. He further told Mays that
it would be possible for him to find men
to file on the lands at a nominal fig
ure, and that the claims would not cost
more than $150 each.
Claims Were Expedited.
Mays was a little dubious, so the
story, runs, and did not see how Puter
could get the filings through in the
first place, but was convinced by Puter
that Marie Ware, as United States
Commissioner, would pass all . filings
made before her. Puter, in his turn,
wanted to know whether or not Mays
could get the lands to patent. Ma; 5
was sure of it and said it would be no
trouble, and that it could be speedily
done, which fact he later proved by
doing one of the quickest jobs of ex
pediting, so It is claimed, that was ever
passed through the Land Office at
Washington.
It was decided at last that Puter and
Mays were to each stand half of the
expense of getting the lands through
to patent, and in event of failure each
was to lose half. Mays, so it was said,
wanted to find entryment for the whole
of the township, but this was too big a
task for Puter at one time, and it was
compromised by deciding to. enter upon
about 40 claims before tho Job was
done. ,
Puter, In carrying out his part of the
scheme, dug up Robert Simpson and
others to use in filing on the land. Six
Uplms were filed upon which are those
mentioned In the Indictment, and these
were put through the first stages from
the office of Miss Ware. When they
were held up in Washington, Mays, in
accordance with his end of the bargain,
secured their passage through the of
fice and they were returned to patent
Successful In the first Instance, Mays,
so the story continues, wanted to file
on more land, and at last Puter pre
pared eight more filings which he sent
to Miss Ware, but she in the moantlmo
had become frightened and wrote to
McKinley, who was then in the East,
asking him whether or not to pass
them, and McKinley telegraphed her
not to do it.
In the meantime Mays, it is said, had
told Puter that it required $600 to expe
dite the six claims, and accordingly ' no
settlement was made at this time, it
being decided to wait until the land was
transferred and the deal closed.
Deeded to Various Persons.'
The Tubman, Simpson and Heme claims
were later, it is charged, given to -Mays
as his share of the transaction, and in
order to shield the transaction the deeds
were made to Potter. Potter in turn
deeded them to W. A. Peters and M. F.
Henderson, who In turn relinquished them
to. the Government for lieu land script.
The Warwick, Carson and Watkins
claims were deeded to Emma L. Watson,
who transferred them to G. B. McLeod
and P. F. Woodford, who relinquished
them to the Government for lieu land
script.
Robert London took lands in lieu of the
Warwick entry in Columbia County on
August 16, 1502.
G. B. McLeod used the script from the
Watkins claim to take lieu land In Clack
amas County, and later traded the Car
son claim script for Clatsop County lieu
land.
A little before this time, however, Clyde
Lloyd, McKinley and Puter had fallen out
Concluded on Pago It)
N HIS EYE
Lawson Issues a Dec
laration of War.
WILL SHOOT ON SIGHT
Tells Rogers Not to Send His
"Hired Thugs," .
D0N0HUE FAILS TO APPEAR-
New York Editor Does Not Make Good
His Bluff to Perforate the Boston
Broker if Advertisement Con
cerning Him Appears.
BOSTON. Mass., Dec. 2L (Special.)
Denis Donohue, editor of the New York
Commercial, failed today to make good
his threat to come to Boston and put. a
bullet into Thomas W. Lawson unless the
latter prevented the Insertion of an ad
vertisement in today's Boston and New
York papers reflecting seriously upon Mr.
Donohue. Lawson evidently took the mat
ter seriously, for this afternoon he gave
out the following opon letter to Henry
H. Rogers:
"L received word last night that your
hired thug, Donohue, would, if I did
not withdraw an advertisement, come to
Boston on the first train and shoot me.
"Of course I know your methods" and
that the criminals in your pay will stand
at nothing to 'fix me, and that murder is
their preferred stock In trade, provided it
is safe murder. Therefore, In the light
of many happenings of late and the in
numerable threats which are being made
to me and against me, I- wish to herewith
notify you, and through you any and all
thugs who are seeking me, that I will in
self-defense shoot at sight the first Dono
hue who calls upon me or In any way
comes into my presence after giving me
notice such as the above.
"I regret being compelled to take this
method of defending myself, and only do
so after having become convinced there
are at the present time would-be assas
sins seeking to put an end to me that
they might put an end to my work. Such
affair nm- XSfi' Coloftfcl Greene episode,
where an honest man, after having been
artfully worked up to a high pitch, Is put
upon my track, I do not mind; but I do
want you and your associates to know
that I am fully alive to what Is now being
and will be hereafter attempted against
me, that upon your heads may come the
consequences."
Beyond the Issuance of this letter there
was silence in the Lawson camp all day.
An authoritative denial was made today
of the story of tho two attempts to poison
Mr. Lawson.
LAWSON'S CHARGES CONFIRMED
E. R. Chapman Says He Saw Gas
Money Paid Over.
NEW YORK, Dec. 21. (Special.) Fol
lowing the publication of Thomas W.
Lawson's sensational article, telling of the
payment of $225,000 in the Bay State gas
deal in Delaware, E. R. Chapman told
who handled the money. This confirma
tion of Lawson's charges caused more of
a sensation than the original revelations.
The attempt of H. H. Rogers and his
lawyers to stop the publication of the
magazine is the most effective kind of ad
vertisement, for nearly everybody on the
street was seen carrying a copy. Chap
man tells of the trip to Wilmington and
of witnessing the payment of the boodle.
HEARING IN GAS CASE.
Lawson Enters Answer Claiming a
Large Sum Due Him.
BOSTON. Dec. 21. Judge Braley, in the
Supreme Judicial Court today, gave a
hearing on thB question of allowing the
demurrer of the defendants In the suit of
the Bay State Gas Company, of Dela
ware, against Thomas W. Lawson and
others, to restrain Lawson and Welden
feld from parting with 50.230 shares of
Bay State Gas Company of Delawaro
stock. 374 (J1000). 5 por cent bonds of the
Buffalo City Gas Company and 140 (51000)
debentures of the Buffalo City Gas Com
pany. It Is asked that these securities
be delivered to the plaintiff because of
an alleged conspiracy to divert the funds
of tho Delaware company to the uses of
the conspirators.
The answer and demurrer of the de
fendant Lawson are denials of the alle
gations of the plaintiff. The defendant
described many transactions in connec
tion with gas meters and declares that
the Bay State Gas Company, of Dela
ware, still owes Lawson and Weidenfeld
488,434, as a result of dealings begun in
3E95.
Counsel for Yawson presented a motion
that a paragraph of the plaintiffs bill re
ferring to collusion and conspiracy be
stricken out.
The plaintiff's attorney maintained that
tho charges of Lawson against the Dela
ware Company were excessive and that
the fact that excessive charges were" made
and allowed appeared to show collusion.
He declared that it was the aim of tho
litigation to show Receiver George W.
Pepper and the Delaware Company the
exact relation between that company and
Lawson and Weidenfeld.
Judge Braley reserved decision.
TO WIPE OUT SULLY DEBTS.
Effort Making in Behalf of Deposed
Cotton King.
NEW YORK, Dec 21. Application was
made today by small creditors, -cinforced
by Edward Hawley and Frank II. Ray, to
have near ?3,000,000 worth of claims against
Daniel J. Sully & Co. set aide. This
would permit Mr. Sully to pay nearly 100
cents on the dollar.
Mr. Cox, referee In bankruptcy. i asked
to -.direct the trustee of the .property,
David'H. MWere to have the Cotton Ex
change' claims, expunged and dissolved
There arc. 63 of these attached to the
petitions., which represent f sums.." duo to
variousnrms as a result of transactions,
in. cotton. "'rhepetitf6n says these, claims
are not based on actual sales.' . A
- - - tt:-"
VAN SAOTNUr THE HEEDS.
Opens Senatorial Campaign 'WIth a
Speech on Freight Rates.
ST. PAUL, Dec. 2L Governor Van
Sant tonight addressed a Jarge- audience
at Hastings, Minn., on "Freight Rates,"
and his speech is regarded here as his'
entry into the Senatorial contest for a
seat In the United States Senate now
occupied by Senator Clapp, of St. Paul.
u.ne vxovernor saiu;
A r- I r-Vi f rfltft la o tor n n ovn-rt V I m or
which enters into the life and commerce
of tne country. Unreasonable rates axe
enanrca and discriminations are common.
These evils exist and should be remedied.
To admit that we are'' helpless zs to.' de
clare that .constitutional gbveramnt&is
a failure. I am readyto Jajniftfnds with.
any man or any dojijt oianm to canyon
the contests
Before Joining battle you. would oetter
flake tlmeltjf reflection. Do you know
the poorer of corporate wealth? Do you
Iully realize the, vast influence it wields?
Do you know-how mercilessly it punishes
tnosfjjvho stand in Its way and oppose
Its will? 'I do. and I enter this fight with
tBeVlull knowledge of these facts."
EARTHQUAKE ON ISTHMUS.
Poas Volcano Believed to Be in Com
motion. DAVID. Panama, Dec 21. There were
ton slight earthquakes, followed by one
strong shock, at about 12:30 o'clock last
night. Numerous houses here were dam
aged, and the people who were thrown
into a panic are now camping In the
streets. The , disturbance Is supposed to
have been caused by the Poas Volcano In
Costa Rica.
Slight Shock at Panama.
PANAMA, Dec 2L Earthquake shocks
were felt within a radius of 150 miles of
Panama and Colon last night. The dis
turbance was slight.
WINGED WAY FROM PACIFIC.
Carrler-PIgeon Arrives at Home Loft
In New York City.
UTICA, N. Y.. Dec 2i. An exhausted
carrier-pigeon which had on its leg a
tag Inscribed "A. C. H. 295" has been
found at Dodgevllle. Adolph C. Harn, a
pigeon fancier, lived in Dodgevllle until a
year ago when he went to New Dodge
vllle,. In Southern California, taking his
pigeons with him. It Is supposed that the
bird is one of his flock which returned to
Its old home. Such a flight, however, Is
unparalleled.
CONTENTS ,X)F TODAY'S PAPER
YrMsn? OAy 'f LTIf R MaslmnS 'tera
TKcuiUfia 4VKFj2T. minimum, 42 degrees.
Precipitation; -l5!f an inch; "
TODAY'S WEATHER Occasional light rain,
possibly part snow. Southerly winds.
National.
President Roosevelt will send to Congress bis
views on freight rebates. Page 4.
Senator Heyburn would compel all arms do-
injr Interstate business to incorporate under
Federal laws. Page 4.
Two more rural mallcarrlers removed by Postmaster-General
"Wynne. Page 4.
James Wickersham. of Tacoma, named by
President for Judge ot Valdez district,
Alaska. Page 1.
Foreign.
M. Syveton committed suicide when double.
dealing was about to be disclosed. Page 3.
Black fog envelopes London, putting a check
on traffic. Page 3.
Germany takes offense at belligerent articles
appearing la English papers. Page 5.
Emperor Nicholas holds dally councils on
empire's Internal situation. Page 5.
Politics.
Conference of New York Republicans called
by Piatt favors Depew for Senator. Page 1.
Governor Van Sant is out for the Senatorship
from Minnesota. Page -4.
Younj: Murder Trial.
Nan Patterson flinches under fierce invective
of the Prosecutor. Page 3.
Plea of her attorney moves many to tears.
Page 3.
Judge will deliver charge, to the jury today.
Page 3.
Domestic.
Lawson says he will shoot the first armed
assassin put on his trail by hla enemies.
Page J.
E. K. Chapman confirms copper magnate's
story of payment of boodle in gaa deal.
Page it
Judge Parkerwelcomcd to New York bar with
banuuet at the Waldorf-Astoria. Page 1.
"Widow of Millionaire R. A. Davis, of Chi
cago, marries Fred Lane, of Seattle. Page 4.
Lewis and Clark Fair.
Minnesota may have state building at Lewis
and Clark Fair. Page 1.
Commercial Club of SL Paul takes up matter
at the request of -Dr. Coe. Page 1.
Congress.
House adjourns without fixing place for in
augural ball. Page 4.
Bill Introduced to provide for carrying of
parcels by free 'rural delivery. Pago 4.
Sporu.
Seattle baseball manager wants Princeton
catcher for next year. Page 7.
Pacific Coast.
Ex-Senator George L. Shoup, Idaho's first
Governor, dies. Page 0.
Edward Farreil, one of "Washington's most
dangerous criminals, escapes at Walla
"Walla. Page 6.
Commercial and Marine.
Weekly review of local produco and Jobbing
markets. Page 15.
San Francisco orange auctions to begin next
month. Page 15. '
Alleged shortage in Argentine wheat crop
Page 15.
Produce prices steady at Seattle. Page 15.
Sharp declines in New York stock market
Page 15.
Derrick scow capsizes in Morrison-street bridge
draw. Pago 14.
Sugar pool in danger of break-up through ac
tion of six San Francisco houses. Page 6.
Portland and Vicinity.
F. P. Mays. State Senator and prominent at
torney, is indicted witn others on charge of
conspiracy. Page 1.
Dairymen hear recommendations of-State Com
mlssioner J. "W. Bailey. Page 14.
Poultry show judges make awards. -Page 14.
Council fixes city tax levy at OJj mills.
Page 11.
Apportionment made of Government funds for
Lewis and Clark Exposition. Page 10.
Ex-soldier gets pension and back pay and
leaves the Poor House. Page-14.
Grand Jury returns indictments against Port
land Club proprietors. Page .10.
Sheriff and . deputies make effective raid on
Chinese gamblers. PagelS.
The total tax levy in Portland for 1905 totals
3S mills. Page 7.
New CJty Engineer takes the oath of office.
L TUS .HOLD
Minnesota May Have
Building at Fair.
ST.PAULMEN ASK GOVERNOR
Majority of Legislature in Fa
vor of Appropriation.
SPECIAL TWIN-CITY EXHIBIT
Commercial Organization of the Flour
City Promises Hearty Support to
Make the Lewis, and Clark
Exposition a Success.
ST. PAUL. Minn.. Dec. 21. (Special.
Dr. Coe. of Portland. Or., an official rep
resentative of the Lewis and Clark Expo
sition, to be held in that city next Sum
mer, was present at the meeting of the
board of directors of the Commercial Club
yesterday and requested the club to do
all In its power toward having St. Paul
and the Twin Cities properly represented
at the Portland Fair. The request of Dr.
Coe met with approval on the part of the
directors, who ordered that the following
letter be drafted and forwarded to the
Governor and State Legislature, request
ing an appropriate exhibit:
"The Commercial Club of St. Paul be
lieves that the Portland Fair of 1505 is
to -be of as vital Importance to the State of
Minnesota, if we take advantage of such
an event, as was the St. Louis Fair to
our state. The region to the west of us
is normally our own for purposes of trade
if we reach for It. No better opportun
ity for doing this could be had than by
making an appropriate exhibit at the
coming Lewis and Clark Fair. "We are
Interested in the welfare of our neigh
bors and friends of the "West and cannot
afford to do otherwise than to support
them in their present effort.
"We would recommend that an ade
quate appropriation be made for Port
land, Independent of any former ac
tion taken by the Legislature, for early
user in the construction of a state build
ing and on appropriate exhibit at the
Portland Fair. The Commercial Club, of
St Paul, has assured the management of
the Lewis and Clark Exposition of Its
Interest in its enterprise and promised it
hearty support In helping to make suoh
a Fair a success."
A majority of the members of the Leg
islature polled by The Oregonian corre
spondent have signified their intention of
voting a liberal appropriation. It is quite
likely that St. Paul and Minneapolis will
have a special exhibit.
CHANCE TO SEE THE WEST.
Lewis and Clark Fair Will Bring
Many to Great National Parks.
CHICAGO, Dec. 21. (Special.) H. W.
Goode, president and director-general of
the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposi
tion, has arrived in Chicago on his re
turn from a trip through the East in
the interests of the Fair.
It is expected that a great many East
ern people who have never been to the
Coast will be attracted by the Fair. In
addition to seeing the Exposition, 'they
will have the advantage of passing
through the most interesting and wonder
ful scenery In the world the Yellowstone
Park on the way out, and the Yosemlte
Valley on tho return. Rates will be the
lowest ever Issued by the transcontinen
tal companies.
Dr. Day Has Accepted.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 21. A telegram from
Dr. David T. Gay, Geographical Surveyor
of Washington. D. C, accepting the po
sition of Commissioner of Mines and Min
erals at the Lewis and Clark Exposition,
Portland, was today received at the
Lewis and Clark headquarters on the
World's Fair grounds.
SENTIMENT FAVORS DEPEW.
Piatt Much Elated Over Result of the
New York Conference.
NEW YORK. Dec. 21. The conference
of Republicans called by United States
Senator Thomas C. Piatt in the interest
of the re-election of Senator Chauncey M.
Depew by the coming State Legislature
was held according to programme at the
Fifth-Avenue Hotel today. It was In ses
sion about three hours, and adjourned
without delay, after appointing a com
mittee of seven, headed by ex-Lieutenant-Governor
Woodruff to wait upon Govern
or Odell, who was not Invited, and Inform
him of the sentiment as expressed at the
conference.
Mr. Woodruff did meet Governor Odell,
as he expected. He drove to the. Douch
mansion, where the New England Society
dinner was held tonight, accompanied by
Senator Depew. There they Joined the
Governor. Later the three left the man
sion, with the expressed intention of pro
ceeding to the Union League or Repub
lican Club for an extended conference.
Asked regarding Senator Piatt's confer
ence. Governor Odell said he was not cog
nizant of it.
"I do not know what took place at the
conference at the Fifth-Avenue Hotel to
day, but I do know that whoever is
chosen by the Republican organization
will be elected."
Governor Odell, Senator Depew and ex-Lleutenant-Governor
Woodruff eventually
drove to the Union League Club. They
were all silent upon the subject of their
conversation during their drive from
Brooklyn. When seen by the Associated
Press representative, they were to all ap
pearances in a most amicable frame of
mind.
The morning conference ,was attended
by75 well-known Republicans, most of
them classed as being In favor of Senator j
Depew, but' there were also not a few
who are not believed to be opposed to his" j
candidacy. The speeches In the confer- i
ence were almost without exception
stronly in favor of Senator Depew's re
election. No vote was taken, and esti
mated numerical classification of those
present vary with the sympathies of those
estimating.
After the conference,. Senator Piatt de
clared himself as greatly pleased with Its
character and personnel.
"I am proud of It," said he; "it was
truly representative and clearly showed
what I have all along claimed, that the
sentiment of the people of the state Is
strongly for the re-election of Senator
Depew. I Imagine its results may be to
tone down Mr. Odell."
Senator Piatt himself called the confer-
enna tn nrrlpr nnrf at his KUCeestion Will
iam Barnes, Jr., of Albany, chairman of
the executive committee or tne itepuoucan
State Committee, presided. Twenty-seven
members of the new Legislature who will
have actual votes upon the Senatorship
were present. Messages of regret were
received from Speaker Nixon, of the As
sembly, and several Senators and Assem
blvmen. Word was received from Cor
nelius N. Bliss that he sympathized with
the object of the conference, and had
spoken his sentiments at the so-called
Odell-Black meeting the previous week.
Nearly all of the speeches definitely dep
recated anything in the nature of a fight,
and the plea for a harmonious solution of
the Senatorship characterized the confer
ence. Chairman Barnes, the first speaker,
spoke In favor of Mr. Depew's re-election,
declaring that to remove the Senator,
"after his long service, would be a dis
turbing, factor In the politics of. the
state."
Senator Raines devoted a considerable
portion of his extended remarks to a
declaration of cordiality toward Governor
Odell and ex-Governor Black. He held
the welfare of the Republican party to be
ot importance.
Mr. Woodruff spoke several times, al
ways strongly for Mr. Depew's re-election,
which he declared was demanded by
overwhelming sentiment in King's
County.
WELCOME OF NEW YORK BAR
Judge Parker the Guest of Honor at
Notable Love Feast.
NEW YORK, Dec. 21. Alton B. Parker,
ex-Chief Justice of the Court 6t Apeal3
and Democratic candidate for the Presi
dency In the last campaign, was the guest
of honor tonight at a dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria.
The dinner was given by
the bench and bar of the City of New
York, and Republicans and Democrats
alike were present to honor the Justice's
return to the practice of law. Among the
430 who attended were many of the most
prominent members of the losal profession
In this city. Ex-Justice D. Cady Herrick
was also a guest.
Justice Morgan J. O'Brien, of the appel
late division of the Supreme Court, was
the presiding officer. The speakers in
cluded ex-Governor Frank S. Black, ex
Secretary of War Elihu Root, William
B. Hornblower and Judge Parker. The
list of subscribers Included nearly all of
the Justices of the Supreme Court and
other courts, of the city.
Judge Parker was the center ot a group
of well-wishers during the greater part
nf the evening. Before the speaking be-
j g'Sir, Francis Barton Harrison, the de
feated candidate for lieutenant uovemar,
and M. Linn Bruce, the successful candi
date, approached arm in arm to greet
him. They had not met before tonight.
Judge Parker had never met Mr. Bruce,
and they chatted pleasantly together.
Justice O'Brien proposed a toast to the
President of the United States. In his
opening address Justice O'Brien expressed
the hope that Judge Parker had put aside
the ermine for but a short time and that
he would wear It again.
"This is the occasion." he said, in con
clusion, "of honoring an. honest Judge,
who has filled hi3 office to the greatest of
his ability."
Justice O'Brien asked for a toast to
Judge Parker's "professional long life
and happiness." It was drunk with a
cheer. When the Judge rose to speak the
diners arose, waved handkerchiefs and
cheered.
Judge Parker expressed his gratitude to
his hosts for the cordial welcome extended
to him in becoming a member of the bar
in this city. The notable absence of jeal
ousy and the readiness of its members to
recognize and applaud the worthy per
formances of each other were conditions,
he said, that have always made the prac
tice of the profession of the law In the
City of New York exceedingly attractive,
and many have come here from other
places, not only In anticipation of the
substantial rewards they might meet with
and In the hope of a w r sphere ot ac
tive usefulness, but also to be associ
ated with the traditions of the bar here
and with the ambition to be enrolled In
the ranks of its members. In speaking
of the movement to elevate the judiciary.
Judge Parker said:
"Tremendous strides have been mado In
recent years, in the direction of re-electing,
with the concurrence of both parties.
Judges worthy ot our best traditions. The
public sentiment on that subject which
now prevails has been mainly developed
under the guidance of the members of the
bar toward which the profession of this
city has contributed more than Its quota."
In conclusion. Judge Parker said:
- "I thank you for this kindly welcome
to your ranks, and if while a member of
the bench I succeed in contributing in
s.ome small degree toward the mainte
nance of such a judicial standard as we
all would have, I beg you to regard It as
an assurance of an earnest desire on my
part to work side by side with you in your
efforts to keep up the present high pro
fessional standing which the bar enjoys,
as well as to uphold and 'strengthen our
judiciary, whether local or state, a Judi
ciary to which we give unhesitatingly our
confidence and affection."
PLATES ON TEXAS SMASHED.
Floating Drydock Breaks Loose in a
Fierce Squall.
NEW YORK, Dec. 21. Breaking five
great cables as if they had been
threads, the 100-ton floating drydock
Hercules, moored to the side of the
new battleship Connecticut, broke
adrift in tho navy-yard basin in Walla
bout Bay today and crashed into the
stern of the battleship Texas, smash
ing several plates and so Injuring the
warship that she will have to go into
the drydock.
In the basin when a fierce squall
swept over it were the Texas, Illinois.
Kentucky, Tacoma and Minneapolis.
The Hercules was securely tied to the
Connecticut. The strain caused by the
heavy wind caused the cables to break
and the derrick atarted up the bay to
wards the warships.
Two tugs, the Narketa and Pentuck
et, were hastily dispatched to catch the
fleeing derrick, which was making di
rectly for the Tacoma and Minneapolis,
moored close together. The Pontucket
caught the Hercules when almost upon
the warships and made fast to her. Be
fore the derrick could be controlled It
awning around and struck the Texas
squarely in the stern port.
JUDGE AT VALGEZ
President Names James
Wickersham.
CONSIDERS ALL PROTESTS
Fight Will Now Be Made in
United-States Senate.
ENEMIES ARE WORKING HARD,
Despite Pressure Brought to Bear on
Members From the Eastern States
There Seems No Doubt Con
firmation Will Be Made.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash
ington, Dec. 2L President Roosevelt,
after due consideration of the protests
made to him against the reappointment
of Judge James Wickersham, of the Val
des district, Alaska, today sent to the
Senate the name of the Tacoma man.
WIckersham's enemies, it is said, have
brought influence to bear on many Sen
ators, many from Eastern states, urg
ing them to prevent his confirmation, and
there Is every prospect that a fight will
ensue when the nomination goes before
the Senate for confirmation. Thsre seems
little doubt, however, that Wickersham
will ultimately be confirmed.
MR. SCOTT'S DECLINATION.
Senator Fulton Makes Statement
About Offer by the President.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash
ington, Dec. 21. Senator Fulton today
made the following statement:
"It is quite true that Mr. H. W. Scott's-1
name ha3 been presented to the President
for appointment to some suitable diplo
matic post, but it is not true that it was
done at the. suggestion ot Mr. Scott. On
the contrary, I am solely responsible for
the suggestion. I did it absolutely on my
own motion, without suggestion from or
knowledge of Mr. Scott.
.VL .statejd tothe President that such .
recognition would oe highly apprecir.tec
Vii- fVin nsrvnla nf OrpPnTl- tKftt T tras TIOT
kjj .. v, -
authorized to say that Mr. Scott woulfl
accept, but I hoped he might be Induced
to do so. In any event, I said to offer
It would be a deserved recognition of his
eminent abilities and of the valuable
services he has rendered his party and
country.
"The President stated that he would be
glad to appoint Mr. Scott tosa prominent
and Important po3t, and authorized me
to say to- Mr. Scott that he might have
his choice of two of the most important
and desirable diplomatic posts in Europe.
I so wired Mr. Scott, naming the po3ts.
and received an answer from him, thank
ing, me, and through me, the President
for the offer, but declining to accept.
None of the other members of the dele
gation were present when I first spoke to
the President of the matter. Senator
Mitchell was present when I presented
Mr. Scott's declination. I did not suggest
any other position, as I assumed from
Mr. Scott's telegram that he doe3 not
desire any political appointment. I am
positive that no other member of the
delegation has made any suggestion,
whatover to the President in behalf of
Mr. Scott and to my knowledge Mr. Scott
has never directly, or Indirectly, inti
mated that he is desirous of any ap
pointment whatever."
Foster Starts Home After Christmas.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash
ington, Dec. 2L--Senator Fulton and Rep
resentative Williamson expect to spend
the holiday recess in Washington. Sena
tor Foster will start for home immedi
ately after Christmas, but the rest of the
Washington delegation will remain East.
making short trips out of Washington on
occasion.
Lecrone to Be Postmaster.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash- I
ingtoh. Dec. 21. Senator Foster, who, un
der the prevailing practice, will have the
selection of the new postmaster at Tar
coma to succeed Cromwell, whose term j
has long since expired, has concluded to
recommend Dr. Lecrone, State Senator
from Tacoma. Foster has not decided
when to file his recommendation, but
will do so at a time most advantageous
to him.
If, when the Senatorial contest opens.
he deems It politically Important that thai
appointment should be made at once, he!
will urge that Lecrone be appointed;!
otherwise Cromwell will serve until after!
the Senatorial election.
LNSIST ON FAIRER TEST.
Anti-Saloon League Will Ask Mone
for Post Halls.
COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 21. The executive
committee of the American Anti-Saloot
League met here today and outlined plans
for a legislative campaign. It was deter
mined to make a fight for the retention
of the anti-canteen law; sufficient addi
tional appropriations to complete Ar
post recreation halls. For effective pre
hihbltory legislation for Indian Territoryi
should it be granted statehood, and ths
passage of the Hepburn-Dolllver bill tc
prohibit the shipping of liquor into th
new territories. ,
The league will insist upon a fairer if I
of the anti-canteen law. This, It y J
claimed, has not been given the statf J
The league will ask for an approprialB
oi iu,vw io uuiiq ana complete tne rec
reatlon halls at various Army post
wntch are intended, in a way, as a bi
stltute for the canteen.