Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-05-08
MR.. MURPHY'S A S

1t is said that the gentleman known to
political history in this state as "Swede
Murphy is about to institute a suit
against the Anaconda Standard for the
sum of $780, 900. for damages alleged to
have been sustained through statements
published in that newspaper to the effect
tina he had criminally distributed funds
among the members of the legislature for
senatorial purposes. 1t is further stated
Helena, as the matter alleged to have
been libelous in character came from
that city in the form Of correspondence.
1t will be remembered that on the
threshold of the senatorial fight last
winter the Standards first sensational
announcement was that Swede Muir
after the distribution of cash for Mr..
Clark. and that he was the center of at
Traction for a large number Of demo-
cratic statesmen, who were waiting with
feverish anxiety to be corrupted. A little
later we recall that the atmosphere in
Helena, when carefully analysed by the
Standards chemist on the spot, was so
thick that it could be cut with a knife.
1t was rumored that the anti-Clark
men armed themselves with cheese
knives. ostensibly for the purpose of
carving their way through the atmos-
phere of corruption that had settled down
over the Inflated Capital City with a
density that made Butte smoke ashamed
OF itself, but for the real purpose of try
ing to prevent Mr.. Clark from getting
'the whole cheese" One of the most adj
vanced thinkers among the anti Clark
armed himself with a two-edged sword.
At any rate, the Standard flashed the
name of Murphy before the public as a
duly authorized dispenser Of Doodle, and
now that gentleman has evidently
reached the conclusion that he might as
we'll be indicated as Mr.. Whiteside.
while the vindication machinery is in mo-
ton. Some confusion is likely to arise
in these matters. inasmuch as Mr.. Muir
phys claim for damages is said to be
$500, 600, while Mr.. Whiteside's was only
amount is based on the estimate which
these gentlemen place upon their respec-
tive regulations, or upon the financial
lung power Of the two millionaire news
papers to Cough up" is at present I'M
known AS everything comes to him
who waits" the public will in due time
solve this important mystery.
Though it is quite probable. after both
of these suits shall have been tried, that
Mr.. Whiteside will be editor Of the Butte
Miner, while Mr.. Swede Murphy will edit
the Anaconda Standard, and thus i'm
prove the tone of leading democratic lit
erature in this state. we nevertheless
sympathize with our esteemed contem-
porarles in the difficulties they are about
to encounter. 1t is to be regretted that
both the Standard and the Miner did MOI
temper their u~tterances with moderation
and care during the late civil war in this
state. Being rich and powerful, and
having no use for red ink except for war
paint, they welded the journalistic
baton with a freedom that has caused
the souls of Fred Whiteside and Swede
Murphy to yearn for redress.
The wisdom of the suits brought, or tc
be brought. by these gentlemen well
be doubted, for libel suits seldom accom-
plish the work of correcting the public
estimate of a man, whether it be good
bad or indifferent. However, if the
Whiteside case serves as a Medium
through which to make a court record
of the allegations against Mr.. Clark, IL
advance of the meeting of the United
States senate. the Murphy action vii,
compel the Standard to file it's charges
and the testimony behind them. Thus
both sides can get into the senate cham
Der with a knowledge of their respective
fighting capacities clearly defined.