The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-25


that most OF the nominations in this city, now be-
ore the Senate, win be confirmed, with the excep-
ion OF few Of the most prominent and most
troublesome. Those Of whose confirmation there
is doubt, are Mr.. Maxwell the Collector Hiram
Fuller, Naval Store-keeper at Brooklyn Prescott
Hall, United States District Attorney; Mr.. Ew-
bank, Commissioner of Patents and Col. Webb,
| he Minister to Austria On all of these we un-
derstand there will be struggle; but with what
chance of success or defeat we cannot tell, with,
| perhaps, the exception of Col. Webb. Mr.. Brady,
The Postmaster, and Mr.. Young, the Sub-Treasurer,
and all the other officers, will probably be confirm
| ed, without any difficulty or dispute.
The reason given for believing that there will be
difficulty in the Senate relative to the confirmation
of the Collector, is the policy which he has pur-
sued his induction into office, both as regards
the offce-holders and the new appointments, as
well as his mode of conducting the government
business with the merchants. Some portion of the
| blame attached to the Collector, no doubt is
chargeable to the Secretary of the Treasury, who
issued numerous strange circulars, giving direc-
lions to the Collector how to manage his business
The Collector, however, has sins enough of his
own to answer for, which will operate somewhat
TO his disadvantage before the Senate. 1t is
/
loungers and loafers in Office, performing no
duties, but receiving full pay, for no better
reason than because they are connected with
the newspaper press. or because they may have
been noisy and INSCRIPTIONS partizans and, there
fore, might operate favor Of Mr.. MaxwelPs
confirmation. At this very moment, many of those
loafers and loungers are at Washington, endeavor-
ing to conciliate and influence the Senate in favor
ot
towards the mercantile community has also been
severely commented upon by those who went TO
Washington, and strong impression is produced
on the mind of the Senate IN regard to this point
particularly, for it is believed that the amount
authorised by former Congress, for the collection
OF the revenue, would be quite Sufficient, according
to the stric rules of economy, provided the Coec-
Tor, like man Of business, would simplify rules,
instead OF complicatng them.
With respect to the other doubtful appointments,
such as the Naval Storekeeper IN Brooklyn, we
have learned the particular objection arises from
his continued connection with a partizan press,
possessing rather dsreputable character, in seve-
raj points of view, and heretofore insulting to Con-
gress. The Senate it IS said, will not tolerate any
responsible public officer of the government con-
iinuing his connection with any parzan journal of
we not informed. All these matters, however,
must be determined soon by the Senate, to the
great relief Of many of those whose hopes and fears
are equally poised at this moment.
LIBERTY OF THE PREss-THE RIGHT TO PUBLISH
Police REroRTs.-During the last few days, trial
very interesting TO newspapers has been going
before Judge Edwards, IN the Circuit Court of this
city, which originated in police report, published
in the columns OF the Netc York Herald, some time
in the summer of 1916.
This report made some statements relative to a
man of the name Of Wilcox, who had been exa-
mined in the Police Court, and subsequently in
dicted Tor fraud IN relation TO those transactions
then inquired INTO A SUIT for libel was instituted
by Wilcox against the proprietor OF the Herald,
and the trial came on, we have stated, during
the last few days The defence set up by the pro.
prietor Of the Herald was. that the article was
simply report of proceedings IN an open court of
justice, the Police Court OF New York, and there
fore privileged publication, under the laws
and constitution Of the State and not lbellous,
according to the allegations Of the opposite counsel
Another part OF the defence was, that the facts set
forth were not only correctly published in our CO.
lumns, but were tue, in reference 10 the conduct
and character Of Wilcox, who was stewards in
dic,ed by the Grand Jury for the charge preferred
against him in the Pollce Court. After patient
investigation of several days, Judge Edwards yes
ierday delivered luminous and able charge to the
jury, IN which he distinctly laid down the law, as
lie unders il under the constitution Of the State
recognising the right Of newspapers to publish
rect and reliable reports of the transactions in our
courts Of justice. This charge is one of the ablest
and cearest that has been delivered on that point
! m long time, and bears a remarkable contrast
To the charge recently delivered by Judge Oakley,
in similar case, which was decided the other
way, for mere bagatellc in point of damages
Under the charge Of Judge Edwards, the jury, yes.
teiday, IN very few minutes, brought 10 a verdict
for the defendant, thereby establishing the right of
newspapers TO publish correct police reports, and
other transactions IN open court
We believe tins to be very important decision
/ in reference 10 the rights OF newspapers and the
liberty Of The press. On former occasions, several
! Of the Tettiioogers, around the Tombs and else
where, commenced actions against us, merely for
the purpose OF getting costs from us, but 10 every
/ case we have met them, and demonstrated the
night of the press TO publish correct reports of all
kinds. The exception to the general decisions Of
the courts in this city, has been in the particular
case of Huff, which was brought before Judge
I
under mistaken charge IN reference to the law,
delivered by Judge Oakley and we intend 20 carry
II up TO the highest Judicial authorities in the State,
IN order to test the accuracy Of Judge Oakley's
4 legal lore, because We believe he gave an entirely
/ erroneous decision on that occasion. The amount
/ ~ damages in thst case was mere bsgaelle, but
the importance Of the principle involved n the err
roncous charge OF Judge Oakley, which we believe
was contrary TO The constitution and laws Of this
I State, Jusiihes the resolution we have formed Of
earning 1t before the highest Judicial authorities Of
I the state.
! MoRE CANDIDATES FOR TuE PRESIDENCY An
other new name must be added TO the list OF can.
didaies tor the Presidency, at this early day.
General Lane, Of Indiana, has been nominated in
hat State. General Lane distinguished hlmself
In the Mexican war, and, in consequence thereof,
received the appointment Of Governor OF Oregon;
I but he prefers to stand his chance in the next
scrub race for the Presidency, to that Of rustioa
ting the latter cart of his DAYS IN the Wilderness nj