Morning journal and courier., 1894-04-18
REPoRTERs IN COURT.


 Judge Robinson Defines the Duties of Newspaper Men In Regard to Com menting on Court Cases. In response to a subpoena served by Deputy Sheriff Manning, the members of the Register staff were in attendance at the superior court yesterday morning. Those who were summoned were: Colonel Norris G. Osborn, editor-in-ohief; William Rodman, city editor; Louis Welch. editor ial writer; John 0. Hubbard, oof reader; William Sheffield, William R. Clark, Harry H. Palmer, James F. Scott and A. F. Nah CT, H. c. Webb and A. H. Barclay, report ere.
 Just what was coming was not known. All of the Register men were present how ever and when Judge Robinson took his | seal on the bench, State Attorney Doolittle | with Register of Saturday evenings issue in his hand addressed the court as follows: l "My attention was called, your honor, to l Saturday evenings Register and in it I l found an article which demonstrated that ! there had been criminal interference with the administration of justice: It was an ! interview with witness in the case and was in direct defiance with the law which procured to people of the state fair and inn partial hearing.
 ''I do not care to read this article to the jury. but as soon as this trial is finished shall ask your honor why the author of this article may not be punished for crimi- nal interference with . witness. have ssen some improprieties in the newspapers but I don't remember any which were as improper as this. It charges persons di- | f1ry tad xry{t {~fr of justice, the coroner and city attorney with criminal intimidation of states wit ness. The interview with the states wit ness was gross contempt of court. I ask your honor to inform these gentlemen that they must obey the law of the land" Judge Robinson then said:
 "It is not often that the court has occa- sion to suggest how reporters shall conduct themselves in the performance of their feeling to be obliged to make any such suggestion. have seen the article re- ferrsd to, and feel obliged to say this: The reporters must observe the ordinary rules governing the administration of justice. Ordinary propriety is due to themselves, to the court and to the papers which they ! represent. It Is not Q legitimate part of ) ! the reporters work for them to make com ments upon 8 case during its trial or to contrast the testimony O: the various wit nesses or to go into summing up of the } | evidence.
 "The reporters are here by courtesy oi the court, and 1t Is always pleasant to sS ford them all the facilities possible, bu, they must not indulge in any breach of propriety. They must confae themselves to reporting facts without comment. They must report the news as they find 1t.
 "It is highly improper for a reporter to interview witness, particularly when she is still in attendance upon court and es pscislly when the court is holding its rul ings upon the admissibility of the evi- dence.
 "I hope shall not again have to give suggestions to the reporters, but it seemed necessary in this case"
 l Here Judge York, president of the Reg ister Publishing company, stated to the court that he desired that the Register men might be permitted to leave the court room and attend to their duties, saying that he would produce any of them within three minutes at any time.
 Mr. Doolittle stated that he had sum moned the men there in order that he article. He said that the Register people 1 would not tell him who the author was and that they were sneaking to get out oi it.
 Judge York said that the sneaking wai on the other side.
 eff you will tell me who tempered with this witness, that's all want. If you don't, shall try to find out."
 Judge Robinson said that he should be loath to fine anyone for contempt of court if they found 1t necessary to leave ths ! court room.
 "That is all want" stated ex-Judge York.
 Soon after several of the Register mer left the court room.