The Saint Paul globe., 1899-01-14

A Sido Light ON Republican Ward
Politics as Reelected by the Grim
inaI Libel Suit of Harvey d.
Cline Against O.. 8. Derlnger-
ested In the Case.
The trial Of o. s. Deringer, charged
on complaint Of Harvey D. Cline with
criminal libel, and which has been on
trial for several days in the municipal
court. yesterday developed the fact
that Mayor Kiefer and County Auditor
w. r. Johnson were leading factors in
the case, which resolved itself into
very pretty Republican ward squab-
BILE, administration and anti-adminis-
tration. Assistant County Attorney
Zollman, for the state, had arrayed
against him Judge J. J. McCafferty,
E. e. Mcdonald and Herchmer john
ston.
The court room was crowded during
the day. and occasionally some touch
ing exchange of repartee between the
Republican politicians starring in the
proceeding would cause a murmur Of
applause that Judge Orr was compelled
to quiet. The two star witnesses,
Auditor Billy Johnson, afforded the
most fun for the crowd. The jury was
completed during the morning session,
and then, after the usual opening by
counsel, Harvey D. Cline was called
as the first witness. Clines testimony
was cut short to afford w. r. John
son an opportunity to tell of his con-
nection with the case.
County Auditor Johnson, as an ex-
pert on grating" and working" was
a most amusing spectacle for the
bench warmers, and Judge McCafferty,
with careful touch, worked an element
Of mingled pathos and humor into the
examination that made Mr. Johnson
wriggle. Incidentally, Mr.. Johnson
seemed to have overlooked an oppor-
tunity Of explaining what connection
he has with the case, anyhow.
CLINE'S TESTIMONY.
At the afternoon session, Attorney
E. E. Mcdonald endeavored, by close
questioning, to trace the career Of wit
ness, Cline. The testimony disclosed
that the complainant was born in Erie
county, Pennsylvania, in 1864, and that
he had left home at twelve years of
age to live an Indifferent, aimless sort
of life, until coming to st. Paul three
years ago. The questioner brought out
the fact that the witness had Travelled
about great deal, and worked at odd
Jobs, but had no particular employ
ment. His various places of location
were gone over, and he answered with
some spirit, as if he thought he were
getting the worst Of it. He admitted
taking part in the spring campaign
OF 1898, and that he was candidate
for delegate to the county convention.
In a conversation with DR.. Charles
Wirth, candidate for state senate, he
had stated that he was a poor man,
but would spend money to win out
against his opponent, R. F. Roberts.
time, and Cline knew it, but believed
Dr.. Wirth to be ignorant Of the fact.
DR.. Wirth finally assured him that
he need not spend any money ON a
ghost man" for Mr.. Roberts was out
Of the state. DR.. W1rth had previous
ly asked Cline to support him in the
convention in his candidacy for the
senate. but Cline had said that he was
undecided who to support. The fact
was brought out that Cline, though
chairman of the precinct committee
and a candidate for delegate to the
county convention, was not eligible to
either. He was also an applicant for a
position in the mayors Office.
w. r.. JOHNSON'S STORY.
w. r. Johnson said that he was a
candidate for office during the spring
campaign of 1898, but was not per-
mitted to answer the question as to
whether Cline ever approached him for
money or not.
AS a politician of experience, Mr..
Zollman asked his witness If the word
worked had any particular signifi-
canoe in politics, and Mr.. Johnson
thought it had. In connection with the
statement to work DR.. Wirth' it
meant to obtain money under false pre-
lenses. AS to the word graft and it's
political significance. Mr.. Johnson de-
fined it as pretending to do some
thing that you do not intend to do, and
then going to the other side and offer
ing to do the same thing it is term
of obloquy and reproach" continued
Mr. johnson, but the last definition was
ordered stricken from the records.
County Treasurer Arosin then took
the stand and wnen handed
copy Of the Saturday Evening News,
containing a cut of himself, said he
had made a contract with MT. Der
niger for it's publication.
Mr.. Zollman asked: Mr.. Johnson, [
will ask you, has the word worked
any particular significance in politics? %
The witness thought that the word
had a political significance.
Mr.. Zollman: Has the word graft
any particular significance in political
matters as generally understood.
Mr.. McCafferty interrupted. Said
he: 1--WE have a dictionary of slang
expressions, we'll known among literary
people, and lawyers, too. This is we'll
understood and accepted as authority,
and that would be better evidence as
to the meaning Of the words than the
word of man whose knowledge is so
limited on a subject he is trying to give
evidence about as to give such defni-
ton. The idea of a man defining
worked as meaning to obtain money
under false pretenses.'
Mr.. ZoIlman: "Mr. McCafferty is a
better witness than Mr.. Johnson. I
would like to have him on the stand"
Mr.. McCafferty: 81 will be your wit
ness
Mr.. Zollman 'It is we'll known that
the word graft is applied to politics;
every man knows that"
Judge Orr was not familiar with the
meaning Of the word graft, believing 1t
to be a horticultural term.
WHY HE OPPOSED ROBERTS.
DR.. Wirth corroborated the testimony
of Cline as to the conversation held
prior to the primaries in regard to
Cline supporting DR.. Wirth for the
senate Cline said his chief object in
defeating Roberts was because he,