New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-20
Thomss J. Barr ssst. Henry Erben.

MEETING.
Thomas J. Barr ssst. Henry Erben.
To recover damages, amount laid at SEQ, 900, for
alleged slander in charging plaintiff during remarks
at political meeting with corruption as an Assistant
Alderman and Alderman of the Sixth Ward in having
sold appointments to the police, charging 500 to
$500, and that be had sold the appointment OF stu
alton in the police to Alex NJ c. Smith for sl0Q, &c.
Plaintiff says he was a candidate for the State
Senate at the time Oct, 1885,, and that the words
were made use OF falsely and malicously, with a
view to iriure him, &c. The words are set out a.
some length in the compaint-being in substance as
above
In defense, the allegations as to general charge OF
corruption and malfeasanco in office a member OF
the Common Council is denied but ii is set up in usti
fcAton that plaintiff did in 1850 nominate A. NJ. c.
Smith as a policeman, and he was appointed, and
plaintiff received 600 therefor and alsotha he nom
mated John Bant policeman, who also was ap-
pointed, and that Bant paid to pl .ntif 800 as bride
formaking the said nomn itiOn and causing and procur
ing he said appointment The alleged words werespo
ken 1t is said at meeting Of several gentlemen in re-
laiion TO reform in the City Government held at The
house of Mr. NJ. S. Beach, in Readest. Messrs.
Willard Sweeny and Anderson and Mr. James T..
Brady appeared for plaintiff, and Messrs. Clark &
Reed and james r. Whiting for defense.
Mr. Willard opened the case. Here was charge,
he said. which If established in Court Of Justice
would render Mr.. Barr amenable to punishment, and
slso q charge Of general malyersetion The de-
fendant had denied with one exception, ever
having made these charges. They should prove
that be had made them-the very charges
which he had sworn that be had never made.
In proportion 20 the value Of character should be the
severity of the penalty for defsning it. There
general disposition abroad TO use a slashing style
Men who could not soar, by lack Of genius in them
selves, would make stepping-stones of the ruined
regulations Of their superors. II would be cOntended
that this SANDER was in some measure excused by the
plaintiff being at that time candidate for Senator
But, ii was on this account double crime, hrst,
against the individual, and secondly, against the
community who had the deepest interest IN knowing
the truth about their candi iaes The general results
Of this Wholesale system of unlioensed Islander were
personal violence, not unfrequeny leadngt to murder
This was q representative Gaze. FOR many yens
case had not been presented to jury involving ques
tons of such general interest. Charges against
man who had lived pure life, ought to receive the
most careful examination. Mr. Barr was man VINO
was entitled TO the credit of his position At the age
OF twelve he was thrown UPOh TUG ""iiu W iD H''0
Of bis father TO chsel out bis own fortune. And be
succeeded in attaining petition of influence and OF
pecuniary independence As an evidence Of the sp-
probation Of bis ellOw-ctzens, he had been twice
e cted to the Board Of Assistant Aldermen and twice
to the Board Of Aldermen when he received the Office
of Senator of the State Of Sew-York. He was what
| any American citizen could be who had integrity
perseverance, and native talent. No other Govern
ment could afford such glorious examples Of self-msde
men. They were the men whom we loved to protect
and sherish. When such man was wronged q
blow was struck at the spirit Of progress. Bu
there was no character so pure that it NIGH
not be contaminated by the breath OF malice
That created poisonous atmosphere around
man. He became stunned by all men, they kns"
not why. Wa il not ths which made 50 many
good, faithful men shrink from Office. II We eye'
saw the day when this class of men would take once
iwould be when sjury had administered most scam
ing rebuke to this system Of Islander. II would o.
their peculiar privilege in this case to administer such
a rebuke Misfortune had endeared his character tf
Mr.. Bar. They al remembered the burning Of tbs