The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-18
THOSE PINE LAND SALES
SECOND DAY IN THE DUNN
PARADIS LIBEL SUIT
Attorneys Consume Considerable
Time in Arguments Relative to
the Introduction of Certain Pa
pers in Evidence-State Auditor
Sale of 1897 Under Investigations.

pers in Evidence-State Auditor
Dunn stiu on the Stand-The
Sale of 1897 Under Investigation.
The trial of the criminal libel
case of State Auditor Dunn against
Edward A. ParadiS, editor of the Mid
way News, was resumed IN the GRIM
final branch of the municipal court
yesterday before Judge Orr.
The examination of Mr.. Dunn was
continued and a great deal of time
was consumed in arguments of the
counsel relative to the introduction
dn evidence of various papers and
other documents.
Attorney Durment offered certain
pages of the appraisers record book.
which, he said, were for the purpose
of showing that the sale of 1897 was
not conducted according to law.
Mr.. Builder thought the main fact
was whether or not Mr.. Dunn was a
thief, as alleged in the libelous article,
and that Mr.. Durments offer had not
probative value and in no wise sus-
tanned any point in issue.
Mr.. Durment said the jurors were
the judges as To whether or not the
sale had been conducted honestly and
contended that he had a right TO place
In evidence all matters pertaining to
the 1897 sale.
Mr.. Butler said the defendant had
been invited TO attend the sale; to in
NestigaIe all matters concerning it,
and he refused to take advantage of it.
Mr. Durment had gone 10 the state
auditors Office Wednesday evening on
fishing excursion, prying into the
records there. 1t was not attempted
to be shown that Mr.. Paradis knew
anything about the condition of the
records.
The object of Mr.. Durment's line of
inquiry was to dodge responsibility for
malicious, Wanton attack on the
character of public official.
MIR. Durment said that Mr.. Butler
had made some violent assumptions.
both as to the construction put on the
record book and as to Whether Mr..
Paradis had notice as to what was
contained in this record
Mr.. Butler-Do you claim that Para
dis ever saw the book?
Mr.. Durment-I don't claim that he
has or has not.
Mr.. Butler-I thought you wouldn't.
Mr.. Durment-No, but you can't as
sumo that he has not in this stage of
the trial
Mr.. Butler asked that Mr.. Durment
point out some specific item in the
book as to which he claimed there was
any dishonesty.
Mr.. Durment took the list of lands
as advertised and asked number of
questions bearing on the entries in the
appraisers book. One inquiry was as
to a piece offered for sale in '95, the
sale being postponed and the same
piece offered and sold again in 1897
Mr.. Durment said he had about hum
dred more items similar in tenor COW
ering different tracts.
The object seemed to be to bring out
~ "a
mission were not of the date specified
in the appraisers book. Mr.. Durment
thought any irregularity or miscon-
duct of the office was a material is
sue.
Mr.. Dunn mentioned the tracts that
had been offered al the sale of 1895
~ again in 1897. There were some
pieces offered in 1898 for which no bids
We're received.
Mr.. Durment asked Mr.. Butler If he
would require him to read all the pages
of the appraisers book put in evidence,
or would he waive the reading.
Mr.. Butler answered that his col
league could take his own course.
Mr.. Dunn stated that one tract was
sold in the Red Lake reservation for
the purpose of making a test case. The
matter was in dispute in the interior
department. He offered this tract at
the request of Senators Davis and
Nelson. He did not know the purchas-
er, at the time of the sale or today.
Mr.. Durment asked if 1t did not APP
pear in the public press as early as
Oct. 10, 1897, that a sale would take
place of a certain section of land.
Objection was entered and sustained.
Nj. Dunn said that he had a legal
right to withdraw an offer Of sale, even
after it was made, and if he had not,
he would do so if he saw fit anyhow.
Mr.. Durment-How did you know
there would be an increased sale in 90?
Mr.. Butler-There was no sale In SO.
Dc you make these mistakes purpose
ly?
Mr.. Durment-You know better than
that. Your are not the only honest
man trying lawsuits
Mr. Butler-We all know you are a.
square man. Durment.
Mr. Durment asked the witness if he
had not made great many charges
against the state auditor about 1893.
Mr.. Dunn said he made no direct
charges against the auditor. He began
his pine land crusade as early as 1875
Mr.. Durment stated in answer to an
objection that the evidence sought to
be brought out was in support of the
charge in the libelous article that Mr..
Dunn was a ''slanderer' and "cheap
pretender," in that Dunn was charging
self, during his term of office, had ad-
ministered its affairs like his predeces-
sors.
Mr. Butler interrupted to say that
the evidence on this point was directly
contrary to that stated by counsel. 1t
had been established beyond peradven-
ture that Mr. Dunn has established
many reforms in his office, through
which there had been saved to the
state three times as much as was saved
during the entire administrations of his
predecessors. What Mr.. Dunn had said
in his paper, in the legislature or pub
lie speeches was beside the question,
and all this was brought out on cross
examination and not by himself.
Afternoon Session.
The whole afternoon was consumed
by Mr.. Durment in an endeaver to
introduce in evidence certain copies
of the Princeton Union, published in
EgMT "a ENna M~