The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-04-25
LIBERTY OF THE PRESS
Editor of the Omaha Bee Kept
in Jail For Six Hours.
SAID TO BE FOR PERSONAL SPITE
The Court Felt Aggrieved at the
Word "Pull" Used Bya
Local Reporter.
SAID TO BE FOR PERSONAL SPITE
Associated Press.

Associated Press.
Omaha, April 24.-Edward Rosewater
editor of the Bee. was today sentenced
to Imprisonment for 80 days and to pay
a fine of $500 for alleged contempt of
court Without being given an appor-
tunity 20 appeal, Mr. Rosewater was
ordered taken to Jail at once, and for
six hours he was behind the bars Of the
Douglass county jail. At 6 p m. the
state supreme court granted a super
sedeas, and Mr.. Rosewater was releas-
ed, until the case can be reviewed by
the higher court. The alleged offense
committed by Mr.. Rosewater was in al
lowing to be printed in the Bee a local
article in which it was stated that there
was evidently some partiality shown to
certain criminals in the district court,
as in the case of two men caught rob-
bing a railroad depot the poor man was
sentenced to prison and the man Of
wealthy parents was given his liber,
ty without the case coming to trial The
facts IN the case were not denied but
Judge c. r. Scott, who had dismissed
the case in question, felt aggrieved at
the word pull used in the article, and
had the reporter who wrote the matter
brought before him for contempt, and
after disgraceful scene in the court
the reporter was sent up for 30 days,
and Judge Scott concluded to arraign
the editor of the paper on the same
charge. AS Judge Scott has been most
bitter and vindictive political enemy of
Mr. Rosewater, it was believed the ac-
tion taken was for personal spite. The
case was called for hearing today.
Evidence was introduced to show that
Mr. Rosewater knew nothing of the arr
ticle complained of; that he was not in
the office on the date of its publication; !
that he had not directed the matter,
and, in fact was entirely ignorant that
an article of any such nature was about
to appear. In spite of the evidence,
Judge Scott declared the defendant
guilty, and after giving him a severe
tongue-lashing started to impose sen,
tence without giving Rosewater an op-
to be heard. But the editor
interrupted the court with demand
that he be heard. This the court at first
refused to grant, but Mr.. Rosewater in
sisted, and after much confusion he
said: IF men who own property, who
run corporations who employ men in
various walks of life, If these men were
held responsible for the criminal con-
duct of all Of their employees, there
N'OhA0 AAOt OC Jud6CO iil <AilltIlNd
to accommodate them. 1t is a mon
strous doctrine. had rather rot in 40
jails and prisons than to surrender what
has been fought for by the fathers Of
this republic, which includes the liberty
Of the press to criticise public servants,
and the courts are public servants as
much as any other class, from the rep
in the legislative halls in
the capitol at Lincoln or Washington.
l shall cheerfully submit to this ordeal.
1t will not hurt me. If there is any
thing that am guilty Of, If have been
guilty Of any contempt at all. it is con-
tempt Of my fellow citizens for helping
Col. Scott to become judge Of this dis
trfct"
AT the conclusion of Rosewater's talk
the judge ordered him taken TO jail.