The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-10
TOM LAWSON TESTIFIES
CALLED As WITNESS FOR DE-
 TENSE IN LIBEL SUIT.
Gives Evidence Damaging to the Character of Frank P. Bennett, Ex-Member of Massachusetts
 Legislature.

Boston. April 9.-A libel suit growing out of certain publications during b1- litical canvass at Lynn. Mass, last T.
 brought by ex-State Representative Frank P. Bennett of Saugus against John F. Donahue and The Lynn Daily
 Item. now in it's second week of trial in the Superior Court here. was of excep- tional interest today. Thomas w. Law son was the chief witness. He spoke for the defense. which Is at present attack
 ing MT. Bennett's alleged business meth
 ods.
 Mir. Lawson stated that MT. Bennett.
 who also ran newspaper. has endeav-
 ored to secure advertising from him and
 told of a conversation which he had with
 plaintiff in which there figured an article
 said to involve the name of Aretas Blood,
 President of MT. Lawson's company. l
 told him." said Mir. Lawson. that If he
 should publish such story about me
 I'd kill him.
 MT. Lawson testified: Bennett came
 to me and said he had seen MT. Blood
 and he was going to advertise.
 Il said: I have talked with MT. Blood
 and find you are right. but before bind
 the contract you are to show me the ar
 ticle you threatened to publish 1T MT
 Blood did not advertise l went with
 MT. Bennett to his private office. You
 threatened to harm a man of MT. Blood s
 age and responsibility in this way" l
 asked.
 "I did not threaten him. he said. T
 merely told him I'd publish him. It's
 been published before, anyway.
 He then produced the story from his files and l said. after reading It: I can believe. even knowing what Kind or a man you are, that you would show this 10 MT. Blood, and, moreover. don't be- it.. IiaI nI1Dll2hc0 it about me- I would kill you. I'd do It In a moment
 Here Bennett broke down. said the Wit ness. He said he needed the money badly. The Grand Rivers Company m which he was interested, was going up
 he said. and had to sell some way.
 Well I'll think about this said l. "Tll not buy your bonds any way. They re
 worth s3.O0O about and you want Sl0e0O for them, but I will think over whether or not to prosecute you and your paper Witness said he was an officer Tn the State Gas Company of Massachusetts but never an officer in the Delaware com pany and in 1893 was opposed 10 Addicks of the latter company. In lS9o hc hau conversations with Bennett about gas m which Bennett said you've got some gas matters before the. legislature and you arc going to have I big fight and want you to let me take your sIuc' 1 Witness said. "all right. Bennett then, according to witness. said he wanted s5. 900 of advertisng. threatening to go i to the other Side unless it was forth | coming Witness told him he was already on the other side Bennett said | "But I'll swing around.
 Then witness told Bennett he would have nothing to do with him.
 Bennett said he would send proofs of what he wrote to witness and then the latter would regret his decision, Mir. Lawson said that articles referring to him began to appear in Bennett's paper accusing him of bribery and other in- iouities These articles continued late In 1900. In 1899 or 1900 witness had talked with Bennett and the latter wanted him to back him in his fight for the speaker ship. Bennett said according to the wit ness that If he was elected speaker he could get whatever legislation he wanted | for his gas company and say who shoulc he appointed on the committees. He | asked for s GOO down to be spent in ad vcrtiSng and s1o,Oo0 to N5.0Oo more whc be necessary if he should be elected sneaker. Witness refused to have any | guch dealings with him.
 | MT. Lawsons statement created pro found sensation in tho court Spom.