The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-12


Curious LIEkL SuIT-RIsnTs OF THE PRRss-
SIMON L. HUyF, We. jams GORDON BSyysrr.-
We give, in another part ofto.day's Herald, tull
report OF a very curious Libel suit, which was In
sttuted against the proprietor Of this paper by a
person Esmed Hui, which however, ended in
nothing. la fact, the jury stood nine to three in
favor Of giving verdict Tor the defendant, on the
ground tina, no libel OF all had been committed
that il was a correct report, with just comments,
Of mdhery public transactions.
IL appears, from the evidence in the case,
the summing up of counsel, and the charge to
the jury, that IN. matter complained Of as
"A libel YVES only fair report Of some pro-
ceeoipgs IN court of justice, IN which per-
con by tie name ct linh was concerned, with
ven just editorial comments therton and the
only wonder il, that, under the circumstances Of
the case, any jury could hesitate for Il moment TO
give verdict forthe defendant. But ii seems that
three of the jury stuck cut, and Initiated the effort
to deal Justly with the rights Of the press IN its high
public capacity.
The N,u i'ofk Herald has been nearly fifteen
years in existence. tie Independence aud enter
Pulse ere well known. I, might naturally be ex-
p,cicd that Ia the course ol such long period
many blunders miehi have been committed
in relation to individuals and public bodies,
aud that libels might have bcen perpetrated,
by haste or ignorance, TO some extent. Sim
eulor enough, however, there il probably no
journal, with half the enterprise or halt the matter
the Rooh contaibs, which can exhibit such a
mepgrc list Of libes or libel cults, ending in any
result, Than the proprietor of TIE Heraid can show
Tor the last fifteen years. They do not reach half
a dozen in all. THIS has arisen from the care, the
justlce, and the literally with which It's columns
ure prepared, supervised, and controlled. There 10,
10 be cure, class OF persons in this city. Principally
comrrsed Ct small lawyers, who very fond Of
snug,rg out and institutng libel suits (and some Of
these lawyers are very small ones indeed),
not tor the purpose OF bringing them to trial,
bat merely 10 &c. fee. and settle them be-
tore gong before jury. Itisa sort of petty black
mail system We have set our face against such
piaotices, and though always ready to correct err
icrs, yet We never have compromised, and never
intend TO compTomlse, any libel SUIT that may be
commenced against this journal from any such
motives.
The first libel cult against the Hoah was cou-
mrue,d IN 1923, by John lIitserty, the auctIcncer,
and The libel complained Ut was merely putting
John Iageerty, instead Of James Ilaggery, in
llst Of homes; but he did no, make much out Of H.
ard none Of hose who have since followed in his
footsteps have either gained (oiai or filed their
pockets AZ our expense. We are always willing, if
he'd into error, do Justice 10 all parties but no
hvytr lig or small, mean or important Will
! EYER be leimttd 20 tIsmpie en- the rights, the
/ liberty. ar me Independence " the press, with
| inpunhy-ts far a. we ate connected wuh tn 4
nnAhiy Institution 81 great age and magnificent
! CUuvuy