The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-03-10
The Criminal
Libel Suit
Continued from Third Page.

Dell came to me with book and said
he wanted me to read 1t. took It home
and read It, I heard It discussed at the
chamber of commerce and when
found that the city could not purchase
purchase his book l voted against It.
/ don't know much about his reputa-
tion, but since he insulted me don't
think much of him. There are better
lawyers than he is.
Mr.. Dell apologized here for having
misrepresented Mr. Bergman In his cir
cular.
Mr.. Bergman continued: Mr.. Dell
gets off his bang very often. He writes
a great deal Of nonsense. The matter
about the $50 was only said in fun. 1t
was only joke.
Judge c.. H. Page:-I have known
Dell about ten or twelve years. can't
exactly say his reputation as lawyer
is bad, but 1t is not good by any means.
James w. Welch:-I know Dell. His
reputation as a lawyer is bad. ! have
no strong feeling on account OF litiga-
tion, but 1 have feeling in regard to
stories he has told me. which I think
are ungentlemanly, and on account OF
which could NOT trust his word.
Delps reputation is bad.
j. H. D. Gray:-I know Sidney Dell.
I don't think his reputation as an at
torney is good. 1t is not good. I know
that he seeks lawsuits, disturbs titles
and hunts up litigation generally. l
heard that he sought the Raymond
Flavel case, and know Of his efforts IN
the legislature to disturb the titles OF
people. Am not hostile to him. Con-
slider him beneath my notice.
John r. Rathome sworn on his own
behalf--I am. the editor Of the Astor-
ian and the defendant in this case.
don't know Mr.. Dell. There has never
been any difficulty between u.s. l
had my attention called to an article
which appeared in the Budget In which
an interview which he was alleged TO
have had with the Budget was stated
TO have been written by himself. l
ascertained the facts of the case and
was careful to read thoroughly DelPs
pamphlet and the article In the Bud
get. On the facts therein stated
based my statement that Dell was q
liar l did not know Dell except by
reputation. j published that article
because I thought 1t my duty as serv-
ant of the public to defend the repu-
tatlon of those citizens who had beer
assailed in their public acts in a re-
puted interview, which 1t had been de-
MED was an interview. / expected Del
would come around and interview me
after my first editorial, but he did no
do So After had heard what had oc
Cured between Mr.. Gilmore and Mr.
Dell next day wrote my second arti
Gle. / purposely made 1t very stront
as l thought 1t was my duty to do SO
l consider 1t was my place as publl
servant to take the part of reputabl,
BILE citizens when they were maligned
Cross examined by the prosecuting
attorney Mr. Elmore was only on
of my employers. The Astorian-Col
umbian Publishing company emplo.
me. published those articles becaus
/ considered It my place TO vindicat
the character Of men who represent tn
best interests of the city. I take tn
whole responsibility for those article
myself. / think the honorable cours
was for Mr.. Dell to have published hi
article in newspaper. To publish
in a private pamphlet was hit in tn
back, and felt entitled to hit ou
straight from the shoulder in return
My second statement that Dell was
liar was based on my first editorial en-
tirely. Nobody asked me to publish tina
article. / published 1t OF my own fire.
WILL
Court then adjourned till o'clocl
this morning.