Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1886-08-18
Gureka Dailu Sentinel.
Observation-Disclosures 10. 1886
THE CASE OF CUTTING.

The imprisonment of the American
editor, A. H. Cutting, at Paso del Norte,
in the Mexican State of chihuahua, for
an alleged offense against Mexican law,
has caused considerable excitement
throughout the country in the last three
weeks, and aroused something like q
belligerent spirit along the Rio Grande.
The SENTINEL has published considerable
concerning the matter both in the edi'
torial and telegraph columns, but from
the manner in which it is scanned every
morning it is evident the public are
~anxiously awaiting the results of the ef-
forts put forth to bring about a settle
ment of the differences. From the most
reliable sources it is learned that the
origin of the difficulty was the publication
in Paso del Norte, On the Mexican side
Of the border, where Cutting lived and
published a paper of his own, of a state
ment, undoubtedly libelous, against one
Medina, who proposed to establish a
rival paper. For this Cutting was ar
rested, and released on signing a recon
Citation " and retracting the libel. He
then went over to FL Paso, in Texas,
and published, as a card in a newspaper
there, what was virtually a reiteration
and amplifcation of the libel upon
Medina. According to Mexican state.
ments, he Immediately took this over
the river and circulated it in Paso del
Norte in the Spanish language. he was
then arrested again, not only Tor the
renewed libel, but for contempt of court
in violating the conditions of his former
release. The case was taken up on his
behalf by Consul Brigham. and repre-.
sensations made to the American Min
lister at Mexico, by whom the matter
was brought to the attention of the State
Department at Washington. Release on
bail to await trial was offered to Cut.
ting, but he refused to avail himself OF
it, saying that his Government would
take care of him, and claiming the right
as an American citizen to an nncondi-
tional discharge.
The position Of the Mexican Govern.
ment, as stated by its W officials, dit.
fers essentially from that which it was at
first represented as taking. 1t is not
that a crime committed against a Mexi.
can in q foreign country brings the Of
fender under the jurisdiction of Mexican
law whenever it can reach him on the
soil of Mexico, but that Cuttings offense
was really committed in Mexico, in that
the libel, which is the basis of the charge
against him, was circulated in Paso del
Norte. A movement in Congress to back
up the demand for Cuttings release,
which followed Secretary Bayard's re-
port, was checked, as fuller information
and a clearer understanding of the mat
ter wa attained, and it is possible that
quite a different aspect may be given to
it when all the facts are placed in a clear
light. Mr.. Cutting is a native of Hud-
son, Columbia county, New York, and is
about so years of age. Mr.. Brigham,
the American Consul at Paso del Norte,
who has exerted himself energetically to
secure the release of Cutting and the
security of Americans in Mexico against
arbitrary invasion in their rights, is a
native of Ouachita parish, Louisiana,
and Is 81 years of age. The trial Of
Cutting took place August 6. The
charges against him were of a failure to
carry out the RECONCILIATION, and Of the
circulation in Mexico Of the Texan paper
containing the new libel. The prosecutor
urged that Cutting should be sentenced
to imprisonment for two years with hard
labor. Cutting was defended by counsel
assigned to him, but Cutting himself de-
clined to say anything except that he
did not recognize the jurisdiction of the
court. and that he was "in the hands of
his Government" He was found guilty,
and sentenced to 5000 fine and a years
imprisonment, with 100 days moro If the
fine is not paid.