Arizona silver belt., 1888-09-01
THE CoyRiEE .rsEL CASE.

x Tue writer ot tho alleged llbdl 0t .Uolanels Christy and Churchill, through Che columns of John Il. Marion'S pa. per, the Prescott Courier, has been un- earthed and proved to be Col N, R. Slater, special appointeo of Presi- dent Cleveland and an attache of the Tucson land office. Marien, finding himself in hook, 1t is presumed, he made a virtue of necessity and in or der te release himself iron, the fangS of the law, squealed, and revealed honest John Hse's friend Slater as the auther. Slater was arrested at Maricopa and taken from an East bound train. A Phmpix dispatch of the 25th, to the Star says; "Tho let ter accompanying the communication to the C0urisr was read in evldencs before the examining court, and which remotely connects Surveyor General Hise with the authorship of the same. " Jde Stars dispatch also says: When Slater was placed on the stand he ad- mitted he wrote the alleged libel and dld so in retaliation agamSt Churchill and Christy, whe he said owned the Phosnix Gazette, and that paper was abusing him IL is denied that either Christy or Churchill had any pscu- niary interest in the paper Mar,On was discharged trem arrest upon the alleged ground that the publicatlon by him, was not made in mahce2 Slater was held in the sum of S300O 10 insure bis appearance before the next Naricepa grand jury to answer to the charge of criminal hbsl As the auth orship of the article in ques- ton is admitted and that its publica- ton followed fyom improper matlyes, as matter of revenge, to get even with NeSsrs. CEristy and Churchill because of their supposed ownership of the Gazette, which the accused al ieges was abusing him, it is hard to see how, he can escape convection Skaters admisslrn that his eommuni- cation was inclted by desire for re- vsnge pleeludes him from pleading that in writing and giving currency 10 the communication, he was aetua- tad by good motives and justifable ends, and not for the purpose of ex- posing Christy and Churchill ito pub lie hatred, contempt or ridieule. Libel is punishable by fine not sx- ceeding five thousand dollars CT im- prisoament in the Territorial prison not exceeding one year, Slater gave bond for appearance at November term of tue District Court of Maricopa. Not having the article that brought Marion and Slater into court, we here reproduce the letters of Slater to Ma rion, and which were read at the pre- liminary hearing. It will be observed that Martens answers do not appear as palt of the record Prem Skaters first letter it will be observed that he asked Marion to father his eruptiye bahtling, but, doubtless fearing to adopt 1t as the Couuer's child, Marion deeliaed Skaters request to become i,s dry nurse, It will be seen from Sla- ter's subsequent letter to Marion, which says, lyon can do as you see proper about giving my name to Churchill" that row was feared. !. Here are Skaters letters:
 SPECIAL SERVICE DIVISION.
 DEPARTMENT OF THR INTERIOR,
 GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
 PHGNIx, Ariz,, June 17, 1888. Mr. J Ii Marion, Prescott, Arizona.
 DEAE SlR:-l send you the enclosed | communlcation which 1 would rather . you would publish as an editorial, but If you don [ want to do that, l will ia tAer 1t, and you can publish 1t as a Communication from Phoenix, and sign Il "one who knows do not fear to father it, and would delight to shoul- der ths responsibility, but am gov ernment oficlal and do not desire to compromise my superiors. General HiSs has sent letter to Com. Stock slager embracing the facts in thls ar ticle and hs said you was a friend of his and would publish this article.
 Yours Respectfully,
 M. R. SLATER.
 SPECIAL SERVICE DIVISION.
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INFERIOR,
 GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
 PHGgIX, Arlz, August 3, 1888. Nj. J. II. Nj ariou, Prescott, Ariz.
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