Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-04-12

boStoI, ApTIi lU.-lH HS teStiiuohy VI
Thomas w. Lawson. for the defense H.
the libel suit of eX-Representative
Frank Z. Bennett lgainst John r..
DOnohue and the Lynn item. in the su-
perior court yesterday, was more drl-
matte than anything that has been
heard in Massachusetts courts for
years.
In his impulsive manner Mr.. Law
son related conversations lie had held
at various times with Mr.. Bennett,
showing how he had called the latter
q "blackmailer," "scoundrel" and q
''liar" time after time. He declared that
Bennett had attempted to secure his
backing for the speakership AID in re-
turn promised his support Of Lawson's
gas measure then before the Legislature; {;
that he had sought large sums for ad-
vertising In his papers, aud When Il Is
was refused, threatened to Inake Law
son sorry for it and did attack Elm
savagely in the columns of his paper.
During his recital Mr.. Lawson was
perfectly calm and collected and his
statements created n, profound sensa
ton in the court room.
Mr.. Lawson said that he became
acquainted with Bennett in 1883. and
had conversation with him about ad-
vertsing first in 1899, and subsequently
Bennett called OH him in regard to ad-
yertising.
He told Of visit of Bennett to Law
sons office in reference to the ad-
vertsing of the Grand Rivers corpora.
tion in Benefits paper. Lawson said
he refused to- advertise, and Said that
Bennett had threatened to expose
Aretas Blood. president Of the COM
pany, unless advertising was placed in
his paper.
"Afterward Bennett came to me
and said he had seen Blood, and lie was
going to advertise.
IL said L have talked with Mir.
Blood, and find that you are right,
but before l bind the contract you are
to show me the article you threatened
to publish If Mr.. Blood did not ad-
vcrtise..'
Il went with Bennett to his private
office. He then produced the story
from his files, and said after reading
it: I can't believe, even knowing
what kind of IA man you are that you
would show this to Mr.. Blood. And
moreover l said, 4 don't believe you'll
publish it. If you published it about
me, I'd kill you. I'd do 1t in a mo-
ment."
"Here Bennett broke down." said
witness "lIe said he needed the
money badly. The Grand Rivers COM
pany, in which he was Interested. was
going up, he said, and he had to sell
some way.
"Well, I'll think about this" said I.
"Tll not buy your bonds anyway.
They're worth $4,000, about. and you
want $4,000 for them. but will think
over whether or not to prosecute you
and your papers"
II Witness said he was an officer in the
Bay State Gas company Of Mnssncnu-
sets, but never an officer in the Della
ware company, and in 1893 was op-
posed to Addicks of the latter com
,pany. In 1898 he had had convcrsa-
tiOns with Bennett about gas affairs.
The first conversation was in Law
sons Office. Bennett said:
!: You've got some gas matters before
the Legislature. and you're going to have
a. big, fight, and L want you to let me
take your side. ln. = ...... . .
Witness said, "All right.'
: Bennett then. according to witness,
said he. wanted $4,000 Of, advertising;
threatening to. go. to the other side M
less 1t was forthcoming. When wit
ness told him he was already on the
other side. Bennett said: But IN
swing arOupd",
" The witness told Bennett he would
have nothing to do with him. Bennett
said he would send proofs. of what he
wrote to witness and the latter would
regret his decision.
After that articles referring to wit
ness began to appear in BENEFITS
papers, accusing him Of bribery and
other iniquities. These articles con-
tinued until late in 1900 In $500 or
1900 witness had talked with Bennett
at YOung's hotel ard the latter wanted
him to back him in his fight for speaker
ship. Bennett said If lie was elected
speaker he could get whatever legisla-
tion witness wanted for his gas com
pany and say who should be appointed
op the committees. He asked for
$1,000 down TO be spent in advertising,
and $4,000 To $4,000 more you'd be
necessary II he should he elected
speaker. Witness refused TO lave any
such dealings with him. On another
occasion Mr, LawsGn said he had cai,rd
Mr.. Bennett q scoundrel of the black
est type because Of the manner in
which he had referred to My. Lawson's
gas bill before the legislature.