The Grit-advocate., 1905-07-07
SENATOR PATTERSON
TO BE CHARGED WITH CONTEMPT


Proceedings to Be Instituted by State,
Bar Association-For Articles and
Cartoons critieising Supreme Court
Decision in Case Of Denver County
Officers.
Denver, June 30.-The News this
morning says At the request of Chief
Justice Gabbert and Judge Goddard OF
the Supreme Court majority Of the
grievance committee of the State Bar
Association met on Wednesday even
ing, to consider the request OF the
above named judges that the commit
tee recommend that contempt proceed
ings be instituted against Senator Pat
terson, for articles and cartoons printed
in the News and the Times relating to
the courts recent charter and other de-
cisions and actions.
The meeting was . stormy one, and
though Lucius w. Hoyt favored rec
mendations for both disbarment and
contempt proceedings, the resolution
about disbarment was voted down
unanimously. The question of con-
tempt was then taken up, and after
heated discussion a resolution to the
effect that certain Of the editorials and
cartoons justified proceedings for con-
tempt-though the resolutions, as the
News is informed, did not mention
Senator Patterson by name. The meet
ing lasted until nearly midnight, and
developed much opposition to any ac-
tion whatever, but as there was ma
jority of the committee for reporting in
favor of proceedings for contempt, all
of the committee present finally united
upon the modified resolution that was
adopted. There were two representa-
tives from the attorney generals Of
flee present, who at times participated
in the discussion. 1t may be mentioned
in passing that Judge Goddard is pres
ident of the State Bar Association. 1t
was stated at the meeting by those who
represented the judges wishes that
they desired favorable action from the
committee, that the court might have
the moral backing such action would
give, and that the court intended to
proceed, whether the committee acted
favorably or not. 1t was generally un-
derstood that the papers were being
prepared in the attorney generals Of
flee yesterday, and they will probably
be served to-day.
When the above facts were communi-
Gated to Senator Patterson yesterday.
afternoon by the reporter he said to
him: Il had arranged to go to Boul-
der county tomorrow on business, but
l will cancel the appointment and re-
main here, that service may be had
upon me at the earliest possible mo-
ment."
When asked as to whether the pro-
ceedings would interfere with his Phil
ippine trip, he said: Il don't know;
that, of course, will remain with the
Supreme Court. 1t isn't very impor-
tant that should go, yet have wished
to go, to learn what I could by per-
sonal investigation of conditions in
our trans-Pacific possessions. l will
not demur, however, if the court takes
action to interfere with the trip. The
party with Secretary Taft will pass
through Cheyenne in a special train on
Sunday evening, and l had arranged to
join them there.
"Of course" continued Senator Pat
terson, Il will promptly comply with
any citation from the court. AS to the
articles complained of, 1 am RESPONSE
BILE for every one of them, and either
wrote or approved Of them. l believe
they were fair and just criticism, and
fully warranted by what has transpired.
I will shirk no responsibility and en-
deavor as best ! can to demonstrate
my right to compose Or approve and
publish them.
"Yes," he said, II know that under
the circumstances the tribunal to try
me will be pretty much like court
martial, only there will be no reviewing
court or officer or other tribunal to in
terfere with whatever the court shall
decide. l consider the proceedings
against me as direct assault upon the
freedom Of the press, and l shall de-
fend that ancient and important
prerogative of free people with all
my power. l should say no more now.
Let the future tell the story"