Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-05
NEWSPAPER SECRET.
Two Boston Journalists Before a Court
CHARGED with Contempt.

CHARGED with Contempt
A Boston special Gays: Two newspaper
men are causing Just at the present time
much worry In the minds OF Boston's
Police Commissioners, District Attorney
Stevens, and Judge Blodgeff, OF the Supe-
rior Court. The question involved Is one
OF great interest TO newspapers, 10 the
police, and 10 the legal profession. 1t grew
out Of the publication regarding the Line
murder case by morning paper last Satur-
day. As soon as the article appeared there
was considerable excitement aud some in
die nation In the Office Of the District Attor.
pey, and measures were stonce taken 10 find
Out who gave the information upon which
The article was based, rs 1t Is claimed that
the substance OF the story Il a grand.iury
secret. District-At.orney Stevens put him
self In communication with the Police Com.
mIssioners and for an hour or two there
was qu.tc lively time ut police headquar-
fers. Captain Ham, chief Of the inspectors.
was sent for and carefully questioned re-
parfiing the matter. lie was asked IL he
gave ont the story, and replied he did not.
ado you know who didf" asked Chairman
jerks. mo, do not, replied the captain.
He then Informed the commissioners that
he bad questioned the men under him and
that they oil denied having given out the
information published. Inspectors Gid
den and Mahoney were the two officers
who had been working on the case. and
they were closely questioned. The former
said he did not give out anything regard
ing the case, nor did he know who had.
The only thing he knew about 1t was that
on Friday evening newspaper reporter
came 10 his house aud asked him certain
questions regarding the case, all OF which
he declined to answer, and when told by
the reporter that the paper was going 10
publish the story, he begged Of him not 10
do II. Mr.. Mahoney knew no more than
his associate, and he was allowed to go.
JOURNALISTS CHARGED WITH CONTEMPT.
The commissioners Informed the District
Attorney that they were unable 10 fasten
the leak upon any OF their men. whereupon
the District Attorney replied that he would
see what he could do. This took place on
Monday. Yesterday morning James 2.
Frost, the city editor. and Daniel J. San
ders, a local reporter OF the paper which
published the statement, were summoned
before the grand Jury, and declined to d.
vulge the source OF their Information on the
ground that II would be violating the secrecy
OF a newspaper Office. Soon sitter that the two
Journalists were summoned 10 appear before
Judge Blodgett TO answer a charge OF
contempt Of court. A hearing was given
this morning TO counsel, Albert +. Pills
bury appearing for Messrs. Frost and San
ders. and District. Attorney Stevens for the
State. The questions involved were argued
by both sides, and the matter taken under
consideration by the judge. who Will pro-
badly decide in the morning whether he
will send the gentlemen to Charles-Street
Jail or dismiss the case. Mr.. Stevens said
that he simply wished TO find out who gave
the information, not for the purpose OF
Furnishing the offender, but for the satsfac-
tion Of the grand jury.