Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-09-05
The Rayner.soterae Assault, Cause

The Rayrer -SofelGo Assault Cause
STATEMENTS OF SOLICITOR RAYNoR AND
Mr. soTELDo-MR. RAYNER FINED $50.
In the Police Court, Judge Mills, this
morning, in the case of the charge OF assault
ard battery against Hon. Kenneth Rsyner,
Solicitor of the Treasury Department, in
which \. NJ. SOteldo, managing editor of the
Republican, IL complainant, came up for a
hearing. defendant vas arraigned, and his
fendant submitted 10 plea of a technical
assault, and would await the Judgment.
MR. soTELDo's TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Soteldo testified that Monday after
noon, on the steps OF the Treasury depart
nent, he was ascending and Mr.. Rayner was
descending at the same time. Mr.. Raynef
addressed him, calling him an ungentle-
times. Complainant threw him five or six
steps down, but did not follow him up. Wit
ness did not retreat. Mr.. Rayner pulled
from his pocket clasp knife, but did not
use it,
MIR Rayner had with him in court some
half dozen witnesses.
Mr.. II iller, prosecuting, stated that if Mr..
Rsyner was going to enter into an extended
explanation as TO what led to this assault,
IrOvOcation, Sc, be must object.
The court remarked that complainant had
been restricted TO the mere assault, and de-
feHdani must be so restricted.
Mr.. Poole thought as defendant had come
forward and made his acknowledgment l. e
should ] e allowed 10 give his reasons and
excuses; ard as he was a man In prominent
official place ii was due to him TO make such
explanation.
Mr.. Miller objected to entering into such
details. as 1t would not be fair. as cOmpIain-
ant had been restricted to the assault.
SOLICITOR RAYNoR'S STATEMENT
Mr.. Rayner said he asked, as a matter OF
justice, that he be permitted 10 make a state
ment. He then proceeded to read a written
statement OF the facts connected with the
matter, and the causes which led to IL.
His statement Set forth that the complain
ant hao been persistent in the most out
rageous attacks upon him. almost daily in
the DdhH ReTUotctr1t, ever since he tR8yner)
had refused 10 give an opinion in the Grow
case iD accordance with SoteldO's views
which would have been false and contrary to
the requirements of law and in violation of
his oath OF Office. Meeting with his
calumuiator on the Treasury steps on Mon
day. he ordered him out OF his way, and did
assault him. He described the scene that
followed, and stated that his antagonist
being phys cally q better man. he was
thICwn against the wall, &c. de denied ever
having aeceded to the views ascrl6ed to him
by Soieldo in relation to the Grow case.
Tie court stated that having departed from
the usUal custom IL was due 10 Mr.. Soteldo
70 make 2 statement.
Mr.. SOTFLDO'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. 5. stated that when Mr.. Grow was ar
rested for fraud on the Treasury he was led
TO believe IL was persecution on the part of
the police of this city. ana he (witnessl felt
il ais duty 10 defend him. Mr. Grow eX-
plained his case TO defendant; they after
wards both proceeded to the residence OF Mr..
SllHtldD, I. -. treasurer, WHO Lney found
was not al home. They then went to see AR.
Ray ner, who said the arrest was an outrage
by the secret service men, who we're ALWAYS
doing things wrOngfully, and agreed with
them that the case ought not 10 be permitted
10 go on
Mr.. Rayner agreed with them entirely
On the following Monday, through their eff
forts, Secretary Sherman ordered Mr.. Gill
fillan TO deliver the two drafts in question TO
MIR. Grow, who had replaced the money OBJ
tanned from the Treasury. Ii was also I'M
derStOOd that there was to be prosecution
made by the department on Mr.. Grow. He
denied having made any newspaper attack
On Mr.. Rayner, but only few humorous
paragraphs about his age. In relation to the
false in every particular.
MI. RayneT here added a word saying that
he never had advised or countenancei a
withdrawal of the prosecution in the case OF
Grow. He made this statement with all the
solemnity of an oath.
SOLICITOR RAYNER FINED $50.
The court, after alluding to the unusual
course this case had been allowed to take
reviewed briefly what had occurred in court
and in relation 10 newspaper attacks of a
Hbelous nature, said parties aggrieved had
their remedy in the civil courts AS the par
ties are all persons of standing and intelli-
gence, be thought the fine should be a little
more than in ordinary cases of assault and
battery. He imposed fine of 500.
During the reading of the statement by Mr..
Rayner, his counsel, Judge Wiswell, OF Bal
timOre, prompted him as TO what was peril
nent TO the issue, and Mr.. Soteldo, in his
reasons 10 the court for making a reply,
called the attention of the court to this, say
ing that the counsel appeared TO be familiar
with II. Mr. Wiswau promptly denied this.
and said he had never read il nor seen 1t
before.