The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-04
MILLS SARCASTIC.
Accused of Libeling the
Newspaper Men.
The Editor of a Religious Weekly
Makes the Charge Which Pro.
vokeS a Letter.

The anticipated visit of the Orego n
Press Association to this city this week
for the purpose Of attending the exercises
on Press day at the M,dwinter Fair and
incidentally to take in the other features,
has not only been abandoned. but the ne
gotiatiens 20 receive certain desired con-
cessions from the Southern Pacific road
have led up to a question Of veracity be-
tween the Rev. ID. L. Stanley, editor of the
Harbnger, religious weekly published in
this city, and who is also president of the
Religious Dress Club, and William II.
Mills of the Southern Pacific.
Tie Rev. Mr.. Stanley, 1t appears, was
delegated by the Oregan association to see
the railroad officials here and try to secure
the concessions desired. His mission was
failure, 1t appears, and he Immediately
wrote letter to the body he represented
In which he made the statement that Mr..
Mills had characterized the Oregon press,
or the gentleman connected with the press.
as Observation-Disclosures wanting some
thing for nothing"
Mr.. Mills soon had his attention called
10 the charge and hdted request to Mr..
Stanley that he should call at the former )
Office. The latter did so and Mr. Mills
states when asked If he had been correctly
reported said that he had or nearly so.
and that Mr.. Mills had said words 10 that
effect. In the entertaining remarks from
the head of the Cen trail Pacitic's land
Office which followed the editor of the
HarbiDger was informed that he had de-
Waited from a strict adherence to the
truth, although the expression was couched
in decidedly stronger words.
The report of the Oregon Press Associa-
ton on the matter contains the following
president E. l.. L. White of the Press
Club stated that he had labored long and
frequently with the Southern Pacific rep
resentatives for the desired concessions
but without avail. The sentiment of the
members present was unanimous to the
effect that as the management of the
Southern Pacific displayed a bad spirit
toward and contempt for the mem bers
of the press, and intends to favor the few
and slight the many, the proposed visit
shall be declared off,
Mr.. Mills, it is probably unnecessary to
state, says that Ire made no such remarks
as those attributed TO him. His letter to
the editor of the paper in which the
charge flrst appeared Is appended:
CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
LAND DEPARTMENT,
March %. 1894.
Frank Morrison. Esq, Portland Dispatch,
Portland. Or.-MY DEAR SIR: Some one
marked and mailed 10 me copy Of your issue
OF March %, by which my attention was called
10 Il 6luttIcHt sdiu W udtC UbcU WIILI6u anu
read by ID. I. Stanley al meeting OF the Ore
gon Press Club. In this statement Mr.. Stanley
is reported To have said: "Mr. Mills char cter-
lied the Oregon Press Club, or the gentlemen
connected with the press, as blackmailers, al
ways wanting something for nothing" He is
reported TO have said further: "He put on dog
and bellttled and stiematZed the press III the
presence of a roomful OF clerks"
TO those who are personally acquitted with
me IL will not be necessary 10 make any denial
OF this statement, bu there may be some who
Will accept Mr.. Stanry's statement as contain
ing more or less truth, and for their benefit
desire TO say and will be responsible TO MIR.
Stanley or any one else for The assertion that
Mr.. Staniey's statements are entirely untrue
aud do not for a NOM ut entertain a doubt
but that Mr.. Stanley made The statement con-
sciOuS OF its untruth. The last statement made
by him, that "he look pains TO helittle and stig-
Matte the press before roomful OF cerksp is
quite fortunate l now appeal TO the foomful
of clerks 10 decide whether any such statement
was made; and as Mr.. Stanley is on record
that these statements were made in the pres
ence of number of persons. II will, OF course,
be competent for Mr.. Stanley TO prove it by
the testimony OF the persons In whose presence
he says the statements were made. L therefore
leave tile subject by saying that IL l stigma
tZed the press In the presence Of a roomful OF
clerks, Mr.. Stanley has many competent wit
nesses by whom he may prove that he is not a
malicious falsiter. WILLIAM III. MILLS.
Huehood,e Catcinsd Ma0noeia