The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-24
THEY H0WLED FOR COPY.
So Editor Mcknight Gave the
Printers the Article Rejecting
on Butte.
He Refuses to Divulge the Name
of the Old "Mon-
tanian."
Threatened with Prison, But Given Till
Ts-Nlght to Tell-NO Structures on
tho Judge Intended.

Threatened With Prison, But Given Till
fe-Nlxht to Tell-No Structures on
tho Judge Intended.
BUTTE, July 23.-[Special. There was
large crowd in the district court room at
seven o'clock this evening when the case of
contempt WAS called in which Editor j. A.
Mcknight, Business Manager George T..
Boos and City Editor T. II. Bowie are the
defendants. United States District Attor-
ney Weed appeared as counsel for the de-
PENDANTS. Messrs. Boos and Bowie were
first examined and on its appearing that
they knew nothing about the matter, the
case against them was dismissed. Mr.. Nc
Knight was then put on the stand. II am
the writer OF the article" he said. in an
swer to the first question asked.
"Who was your informant for the matter
contained in the article?' asked Attorney
Campbell
ut did not come from any individual"
'Then, it was pure fabrication?"
mo, sir; it WAS a composite article. ]
talked with number of Helena people
generally on the matter. and the article was
the result of several expressions of opinion
that had heard"
.'Who was your informant?'' repeated At
torney Campbell.
1.-The information given me was in pri-
vate conversation. and I don't feel at lib
erty to tell who they we're. 1t would be
unprofensional to mention the gentleman's
uame. The gentleman I refer to made re-
marks which formed the basis for portion
of the article. When he spoke of the mat
ter to me remarked that it would make a
good news story. He said if l published
it not to use his name, and promised not
to use his name."
'What is his name," persisted Mr.. Camp
bell.
''The name of that gentleman will not
be able to give as do not think the por-
tion which gives offense is the portion that
he told me.''
''Give the name of the party
Attorney Weed interposed, stating that
the conversation had been private. Judge
Mediation inquired what portion of the
article the conversation formed the basis
for.
"That portion" replied Mr.. Mcknight,
(which refers to the fact that republicans
and democrats together voted to retain
Judge Mediation in offioe.''
estate all the conversation you had on
that point" said Judge McHatton.
II wish to say right here" said Nc
Knight, 'that nobody connected with the
Davis will case gave this conversation or
any part of it. This man said to me that
no doubt republicans and democrats had
combined to have Mediation retained, be-
caused they believed he would take the
Butte view of the Davis case"
"Was that all the conversation on which
the article was based?"
'No, it was composite article. 1t was
made up from various sources. The
deadly bias referred to was an expression
that heard Col. Ingersoll use in the court
room. 1 wrote the paragraph just to give
general idea of the feeling existing"
"Who was it said that no judge or jury
could be obtained in Silver Bow county
who would give the case fair trial"
81 thought" said the witness, that that
had no bearing on anybody in particular.
did not intend to give any offense.''
Mr.. Campbell then referred to the edi-
toral published last Sunday and asked who
wrote that article.
81 wrote it myself. 1t is the same as arti-
cles published all over the country"
"Who wrote the headlines on the article
on the telegraph pager"
II wrote the headlines and wrote the
story"
II now ask" said Mr. Campbell, "that
the court instruct the witness to state the
name of the person denominated an olG
Mountain
Attorney Weed said: '"rhere is no law o,
rAy l>aA.
of confidence, n private conversation, made
in a private capacity and not for purposes
of publication"
The court ruled that the witness must
answer the question, saying that had tht
gentleman who made the statement re
quested that it be not published it woule
have been different, but he had only said
"1f you publish it don't use my name."
1.-The gentleman was not desirous of m,
printing it," said the witness. 81 wrote i
in a thoughtless manner and it would b,
wrong to give his name."
"Did you not infer from what he sale
that there was a serious charge in it?''
81 did not"
"What did this man mean by the express
sion the Butte view?'"
II don't know"
'"Then you as editor of the Helena Jour
nal were giving expression to views in you
paper that you really did not know the ma
ture Of"
81 did not think there was any otfense il
the views"
"Why didn't you inquire what the tern
Butte view moantt"
because didn't think it M cant any
thing in particular"
why didn't he want his name mentioned
If there was no ofence2"
Because ho il modest man and dom
like his name to be in the paper. l hay
only been in Helena since last September
and have no feeling in the matter my
SELF"
The judge now inquired of tho witness
the name of his informant.
II wish to consult my attorney first,
said Mr.. Mcknight.
After consultation with his attorney tn
witness said: "While don't wish to offen
the court or provoke it any way must de
cline TO give that gentleman's name."
Judge McHatton said: "The gentleman
who furnished this information did no n,
his peril. There is no barrier OF secrecy !