Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-01-04
HOW THE LIBEL
CASES ENDED

~.-- VS.
The following article printed in the
Bismarck Times is published herewith
on account Of the considerable inter-
est attached to the Opdyke-Packard-
Patterson libel cases.
The civil libel suits brought against
the Times publishing company haze
been dismissed and the criminal
charges against the editor and pub
fisher Of this raper growing out OF
these transactions have been dropped.
We appreciate this ending of this
troublesome litigation, as the expense
Of the prosecution or these cases
would have been great alike to all par
ties concerned as well as to the coun.
ty.
We feel at this time in justice to Mr..
Patterson, the pubic and ourselves,
and explanation is due, especially in
view Of the action and course taken
in this matter by Mr.. Patterson. AS
this paper has often reiterated, the
charges were. not made by us against
Mr.. Patterson as a matter of personal
malice, but because we blieved them
to be true. In fact, we were convinced
that we had understated rather than
overstated the facts in the case.
However, this like many other com
munity disturbances, proved when we
got into IL, that over Jealous enemies
Of Mr.. Patterson had mis-stated many
things, which misstatements were I'M
known to US. prior to the preliminary
hearing in justice court. At that hear
ings there were some Irregularities
shown, but there was. nothing to ndi-
cate any, intent on the part of Mr.. Pat
terson to take or secure any money to
which he vas not entitled.
The men who had been mos: fierce
to %denounce Mr.. Patterson to the man
ayers Oh, this paper were the most diff.
dent and stammering witnesses when
placed on the stand, or they evaded
the stand altogether.
The Times is not saying these
things in condemnation OF the men
who furnished the information. We
are all human, and the experienced ed
ltor knows the tendency Of human ma
ture to tear and devour its enemies
when perfectly safe, and he usually
tries to guard against over-statements.
But he, like everybody else, is but
human. In the heat of a political cam
paign as bitter as the one waged here
last summer, moderation Is sometimes
forgotten and both sides overstep
the bounds, and many bitter and Sc.
we're things are said which are unwar
ranted by the facts at hand.
The Times Is not saying these things
to placate Mr.. Patterson, but only in
fairness to him. Mr.. Patterson I'M.
doubleday dropped this matter because
ne believed he was acting for the best
interests of the community, and for
the same reason this paper extends
the olive branch to Mr.. Patterson.
II in the future Mr.. Patterson
proves the good citizen that the rea-
son for the dismissal Of these suits
would indicate him to be-stopping a
series of actions where he believes
himself to be the wronged party-and
this for the best interests of the COM
munity in which he lives, he viii have
4 support of the Times whenever
his actions warrant it.
We have no doubt but another fac
Tor entered into Mr.. Patterson's con
sideration in connection with the end
ing of this litigation. The fact that
he has heavy business interests in
Bismarck which demand his undivided
attention. II addition to his splendid
motel, the Mckenzie, one of the very
best in the entire northwest, he is a
heavy owner Of both city and farm
property. His! extensive business in