The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-29
May co TO JAIL.
Rufus Frazier Convicted Of Lii
beIing Councilman Weber.
Jury Was Out For Only a'Few
Minutes.
ECHO OF CITY ELECTION
Frazier Given a Place as Re-
ward For His Services.
Made an Affidavit That He Was
offered Money.
ECHO OF CITY ELECTION

tary force, was convicted by jury IN
the district court Of criminal libel this
morning. The jury was out only a few
minutes.
Frazier is a colored man who poses
as something of a politician During
the last municipal campaign he was one
of the supporters of Col. Hughes ana
was kept at the Law and Order head
quarters on Quincy street as a sort OF
general utility man. Frazier swore to
an affidavit on March charging Coun-
Gilman w F. Weber a supporter of J.
S. Warner, with offering him money for
his vote and his "huence." The afhda-
wit was published in the Hughes organ
Weber sWore out to a complaint charg-
ing Frazier with criminal libel and he
was arrested and released on bond
Frazier was very anxious to have the
case dismissed and after the city cleo
ton he agreed with Weber to retract
the statements made in the affidavit If
the case against him in the district
court would be dismissed Weber told
him ne was willing to drop the prose-
cution of the matter if Frazier made a
proper retraction- Frazier was very
willing to make a retraction-
When his signed statement taking
back the charges made in the affidavit
was published, Frazier hoping to eX-
cuse himself said that he had made
the retraction because he could not get
Justice in the district court When
Judge Hazen saw that statement ne
refused to allow the case to be dis
missed The case could only be $
missed with the consent of the court
and the county attorney. Judge Hazen
set the case for trial, and as Judge
Aazen felt that under the c1rcun-
stances he should not hear the case,
J. G. Sloneczer was made judge pro
ten
The TESTING ~ was commenced Fri,
day afternoon. W. f. Weber denied all
the allegations contained in Frazier's
ante-el6ction affidavit Harry Wingert
testified to Ia wing sworn Frazier to the
to Frazier's making out the affidavit
Fred Jewell testified to the same
points as Weber.
DO you consider Frazier a good poll
tician ." was asked of Jewell.
mo. I don't, said Jewell.
Then you wouldn't want him on
your side2"
NO. I would rather have him on the
Frazier was the first witness to take
the stand in his own defense
Rufus Frazier took the stand first for
the defense.
What is your occupation asked
Il am on the sanitary force replied
You Were one Of the Hughes sup
porters in the campaign
Yes"
Did you at any time during the cam
paisn hear that Mr.. Weber and Mr..
Jewell wanted to see you2"
Yes, that they wanted me at the
Throop hotel
did you go to the Throop hoteI?"
Yes
did you see Mr.. Jewell2''
Yes. with Weber. near the vestibuIe
AR Weber said How are you, George2'
He has called me George for 20 years
We went to his store. and he asked me
how got OF I said 1 am for Hughes
NIa 80 of I,rrt
would like to have YOU He says There
As So OF $50 if you viii work for War
ner' said I can't consider that prop
osition.'
who did 20 II that story top
ITO Al Bar
Did you say a. with the intention of
meaning that he offered it as a bribe?'
We object TO that" said County At
torney Nichols
The objection is sustained" said
Judge pro tenn Slonecker.
You made an affidavit about the
Statements you made to Bauer?"
Did you expect to have it pub
Hshed?,'
No
On cross-examination County Attor-
ney Nichols said: When Jewell and
Weber say they did not see you at the
hotel they are telling an untruth, are
they2''
Yes. sir" replied Frazier
do you know who the man was who
told you they wanted to see your"
Does anyone else know who he
I don't know"
Did you ever try to find cut who
NO, sir
why did you tell Weber, as you
claim, that you were for Hughes?''
Cause said Hughes was the best
Thought he would make the best
Yes"
You want the law enforced. I sup
Yes"
''All laws2''
''I suppose So"
How many times have you been ar
rested2"
"How's that?"
Il say how many times have you
been arrested?"
What for2'' replied Frazier.
For anything"
"Cnce. I guess
only once2''
4'Well. once or twice.
For gambling2"
Were YOU not arrested once for sell
Yes. but wasn't gambling"
You don't consider that gambling 7''
when were YOU arrested before?"
'In 1899. for lighting
Haven't you made a statement that
this other affidavit was false2"
We object" said Attorney Dren-
ming.
objection overruled." said Judge
Slonecxer
Yes sir
rs that the statement asked Mich
OILS. handing Frazier the statement he
made after the election and signed and
gave to Weber denying the affidavit
I'VE ob5ec<.'' said Dreaming. 1T was
understood that If this retraction was
made that the suit would be dis
m Used"