The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-17
Madame Sontax In Court.
FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT


Before VIM. H. Van Cott Justice.
March l5-Counsel for defendants, B. Galbraith and
J ToensheBd Counsel forthe plaintiff SANFORD Porter
puETIR vs.. RosI AND WIFE
The plaintiff is a chorus singer The defendants are
the Count Countess de Ross the latter better
as Madame sontag. As it was known that Madame s.
herself had been subpGned witness, her appearance
In Cour. eagerly watched for few minutes before
the called up whisper through the crowd
that the Countess In adjoining and all eyes
directed towards the apartment, and every one
manifested anxiety to behold her. At length Justice
Van Colt took his seat upon the BENCH and called the
>Ir Galbrath then lett the Court, but re
turned, ushering in Madame Sontag and her husband
Count Ross whose appearance caused regular Aatter
in Court Eyes we'll tongues were set in motion
the Grt in adrng the beauty and the grace Of the fair
cantarice ard the second in making aattering comments
Mr. Gabraith conducted the lady and her husband TO
chairs and after they seated the proceedings
menced.
Mr. stryker for the plaintiff, stated that the action
10 two weeks salary alleged to be due the
plaintiff by virtue of contract In writing purporting to
be signed By the agent Of Madame Sontag and on her
behalf The circumstances OF the ease said the PLAIN
tfs counsel are that the plaintiff with others was en-
gagged about the 10Th OF December last sing in the
chorus Of the concerts and operas in whi,h Mad anne
tag appeared, and about the time the wife of the
plaintiff and wives OF others, employed for
the female department. of the chorus Husbands and
wives employed thenceforth until the 18th OF
january, NJ winch time some mOuiucaEen OF the
terms OF engagement was offered to the chorus sing
err, male and female, and they informed that
unless that modification submitted to, the fe-
ales Of the chorus would be dismissed. The plaintiff
and others refused assent TO the proposed notification
not believing that the threatened discharge OF their
wives would take place. The threat however,
rec into execution and this step, said the learned
sci caused much alarm to the plaintiff that il deprived
him OF his voice. and he unable to sing and omitted
to sing fer night The plaintiff when from
his fright desired to continue his engagement but
not permitted being alleged that be had broken his
gageu emit
Plaintiff counsel then offered in evidence two doc.
ments, purporting TO be signed for Madame Sontag
The plaintiffs counsel next desired TO call Madame Son
tag witness but her counsel objecting the Justice
decided she could not be called
Bernard Ulman then called. He testified that he
was agent for Madame Sonag In many matters that the
documents produced by plaintiff signed by witness
al the request Of the plaintiff but that the signing
not authorized Dy Madame Sontag.
Herman Sctemtcrer was next called and testified that
me witness Ulfnan always acted and regarded
Madame Sontag's agent. The Justice here expressed
NY and, her counsel consenting, the Countess ad.
ianced 70 the witness stand and being sworn
uhcu That Mr. Cinan her agent for ma nv py
bat not 70 sign any contracts for her that all contracts
were f-ned by her ell and that the appointment Of Mr.
tlman az her agent was in writing
Plaintiffs counsel then proposed 10 nterro0ate Tho
witness as to the contents OF the appointment To this
the defendants counsel objected as the document IL
produced would speak for itself and no notice had been
given 10 produce IL.
counsel moved TO have The plaintiff nonsued a. he had
failed 10 make out any against either OF the defend
ants The Justice granted the notion the Mai ,t;
was accordingly ponsuited. Mr. CaIbrsith then c,n
Madame Sontag out OF court and all eyes were Of
courte, directed on her as she retired