The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-20
A Sensational Case.

There was highly sensational case
before Justice Won Rosenberg yester-
day. An evening paper, on Wednes-
day, published startling disclosure
in regard to supposed free fight over
a gambling table, in which it was al
legged that department clerk, some
commercial travellers, a lawyer, a sa-
loon keeper and a county official, got
into fist fight over a game of poker.
It was insinuated in said article that
che affair occurred in a gambling place
on the Avenue. The case appeared so
fragrant that Justive Won Rosenberg
felt it his duty to investigate it. He
summoned the proprietor of the paper,
but he knew nothing about it, and
said it was written by the city editor.
The city editor was called before the
court and then came the question
whether reporter could be required
to divulge the names of the persons
from whom he obtained his informa-
ton. The Judge held he was obliged
to tell, and told him ne would commit
him for contempt unless he did. He
did not want to go to jail, and teSti-
fed. The following is the Justices
minutes OF his evidence, and if the
court got any information, we fail to
see where it comes in:
Justice of the Peace.-Mr. Tansey,
from the columns of your paper have
been informed that certain parties
had violated the law against gaming,
and, as the law of this state makes it
my duty to inquire into the matter, 1
have been compelled to have you sub
p9n8d here to state, under oath, the
facts that you know of your own
knowledge, or facts that you have
heard in connection with the matter
in question.
Mr.. Tansey-Judge, 1 would like to
know if am compelled to inform you
of the matters published, as do not
wish to be an informer.
j. P.-You have informed the pub
lie as well as myself of the matter,
and it is now nay duty to investigate
the same.
Mr.. T.-Suppose 1 refuse to answer
your questions
J. Pr will be compelled to commit
you until you do.
Mr.. T.-Can see an attorney before
you proceed?
J. Pho. If the attorney should
say you must not answer, and you do
not, will commit you.
Mr.. T.-Well, then, 1 guess I will
have to answer.
j. Prom whom did you learn
the facts that you published?
Mr.. from no one in particular.
gathered them from parties on the
street.
j. P.-Who were the parties you
gathered the same from?
Mr.. T.-Several men were standing
on the pavement near the Iron Front.
and were talking about it, and l gath
cred the same there.
j. P.-Who were those parties; were
they speaking to you?
Mr.. T.-No, they were not speaking
to me. L do not know their names;
two of them werenegro, BARRIERS, one a
bartender, and the others / do not
know who they were.
j. P.-Well, where do the BARRIERS
work ? and where does the bartender
stay; where is he at work or where
do any OF the others stay?
Mr.. TT do not know.
j. P.-Did you hear any one state
the name or names of any of the par
ties who were gaming?
Mr.. TT did not.
j. P.-Who is the county official re-
ferred to? Who is the Department
clerk? Who is the dry goods clerk ?
Who were the Idrummers Who is
the lawyer?
Mr.. I'll do not know any of their
names.
j. P.-Did you hear their names
mentioned by any oneY
Mr. TIL did not.
J. P-Where was the game played !?
Mr.. I'll do not know.
IS P,.Did you hear any one say
Mr.. TIL did not.
j. P,-Mr. Tansey, yours, as
well as other papers of the city and
elsewhere, have been comnlainjno
about the officers generally for not