The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-08-25
Portland Complainant
Sued for Slander.
Mr.. Roberts Tried ON n Charge
Of Embezzlement.


Biddeford, August 24.--All day long,
and for two hours this evening, Judge
b. T., Cleaves OF the Biddeford- Municipal
court, listened to testimony and argu-
ments in the action brought against VIII
liam A. Roberts, Biddeford's Democratic
Congressional candidate. The case was
finished tonight, but decision win not
be rendered till Monday.
George A. Guptill, the compIainans In
the case, came out from Portland on q
morning train. He was accompanied by
ex-County Attorney Charles A. True,
Proprietor Crafts of the Lakeside Press.
and Charles Sohonland, the Portland
sausage maker. The last two persons
were witnesses In the case, and MIR. True
appeared to prosecute the charge of en-
bezzlement upon which the arrest had
been made. Ex-Mayor O. s. Hamilton
was counsel for Mr.. Roberts.
The hearing was not ss exciting rs had
heena anticipated, but several dramatic
Incidents figured in 1t. One was the ar
rest of Mr.. Guptill in the early evening,
on s. eco slander suit, brought by. Mr..
Roberts. At another time Mr.. Roberts
in the midst of his testimony declared
that certain writing on stock certificate
was a forgery. The serving of summons
on the complainant. in the case, and or.
dering him 10 produce in court certain
letter which Mr.. Roberts claimed to have
written him, but which Mr.. Guptill
couldn't seem to Hnd. constituted anoth-
er interesting feature Of the days pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Guptili,s testimony was, In sub
stance. that he had held mortgage on
the Biddeford dimes plant as security ON
loan Of $500 made to Mr. Roberts He
foreolosed. and was endeavoring to 6is-
pose of the plant when MIR. Roberts made
the suggestion that a stock company be
formed. and the paper revived, as the
chances of finding purchaser would be
much better with the plant In opera
ton. Mr.. Guptill agreed to the propo-
sition, MIR. Robert agresing to start the
paper and run it, without cost to Mr.
Guptill, beyond the payment of $50. to
cover the expense of incorporating the
company.
MIR. Guptill's check for $50, dated
April q, which figured prominently In
the case, was given, according to his tes-
timony, with the explicit understand
ing that 1t should be used In defraying
the expenses of Incorporation. MIR. Cup
till supposed that the process of incorpo-
ration had been completed, but short
time ago made discovery to the con-
trary, and now finds himself personally
liable for bills contracted in the name of
the company.
His testimony in regard to the giving
of thu $50 check was borne ont bv that of
Mr.. Crafts, the president of the Times
Publishing company, and Mr. Sohonland,
one of the directors.
But the testimony of Mr.. Roberts on
this point was that the check in question
was given for no specific purpose, except for
use in starting the paper, and that a part
of 1t was expended in fees to the register
of deeds and attorney general for recor d.
ing and approving the articles of moor
poration.
lie said 1t was his intention to COM
plete the incorporation, but there was
not enough left, after paying preliminary
expenses, to settle with the state treasur-
er and secretary of state. Mr.. Roberts
claims to have called MIR. Gupsill's atten-
tion to this fact, and says the latter sug-
gested that the mattershe "hung up" for
a few days. After that Mr.. Guptill's re-
mittances were used Ia defraying running
expenses of the paper. thers being at no
time enough OF his money in Mr.. Rob.
erts's possession to square all the out.
standing bills.
Finally in June, when tho daily edition
was about TO be started, Mir. Guptill de-
cided to abandon the whole project, and
the publication Of the paper was stopped
and the whole scheme fell through.
Mr.. Roberts introduced in evidence his
cash book, stock certificates and memo
randa, with a view to showing how the
money had been spent. He said that Mr..
Guptill had frequently expressed dlsap-
pointment because the paper was not nay
ing its way, but never accused him of