Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-05
CITY INTELLIGENCE.


TO AuvCxtAoofss
The daily circulation Of the Anasricaa Organ is
FAR greater than that Of any paper in Washington,
with one exception and the weekly circulation which
already reaches ten thousand Is increasing at the
rate Of several hundred week II has increas-
ed at this rate with remarkable regularity, from the
first month Of its publication. Advertisers who wish
10 give their advertisements wide circulation should
bear these facts in mind The daily Organ is distrib-
uted chiefly in Washington, Georgetown, Alexandra,
Fredericksburg, Richmond. Norfolk. Portsmouth, and
Baltimore. The weekly Organ Il sent TO every quar-
ter Of the Union.
TIE Law OF LIBEL---The following is the law
Of libel in the District of Columbia;
A libel in general is q malicious publication, in
printing or writing or by signs, pictures, hero
gIyphcs, tending either TO njure society generally
or to blacken the memory of one dead, or the re-
putation Of one living, and expose him to public
hatred, contempt or rdicule Christianity is a
part Of the common law of the land and mali
ciously to reyile IL is indictable as libel
Blasphemy against God, contumelious reproaches
and profane ridicule of Christ or the Virgin Mary,
or the Holy Scriptures, are ibellous offences at
the common law, whether uttered in words,
writing, or otherwise.
Any public show or exhibition which outrages
decency, shocks humanity, is contra 5onos mores,
Is libel In order to constitute libel, it is not
necessary that anything criminal should be impu-
ted to the party injured II is enough IL the writer
has exhibited him in ludcrous point Of view; has
pointed him out as an object Of rdicue or disgust
and has, in short, done that which has natural
tendency to excite him to revenge.
II the matter be understood as scandalous, and
Is calculated excite rdcule adherence against
the party intended It Is ibellous, however 1t may
be expressed.
1t is a libel to print or write and publish these
words, |" He Ia lying, slanderous rascal" Snow
don ind VIII ahnxva M 20 hal
to the hands Of the person libelled or to the
hands of another person, who read 1t, will be a
sufficient publication.
The transmission Of sealed letter BY mail, con-
tanning ibelous matter Is sufficient publication,
and the defendant in such may be indicted for
adjudication either in the county in which the let
ter was mailed or that to which 1t was directed.
publication, though defamatory, yet If written bona
fde, or in confidence, or with view of investigat-
ing fact in which the party making it is interest
ed is not libel
A person has right to communicate to any
other any information he is possessed Of in mat
ter in which they have mutual interest.
1t is an admitted rule of English and American
law, that the truth Of the libel is not admissible in
evidence or justification
The publisher Of libel is liable to be punished
criminally, by fine and imprisonment in the com
mon jail of the District, at the discretion Of the
court and is also subject to an action on the
edes may be pursued at the same time.
CENTRAL BUILDING AssocIATIoN---Wc are graf
fled to learn that this Association is well conduct
ed and prosperous Its fifth annual meeting was
held on Thursday evening, when the following Off
GERS were reelected, viz: President, DIR. F. How
ard Treasurer, T. H. Parsons; Secretary j. H.
Bartlett Directors, James w. Baker, Henry Bar
ron, II. B. Croggon, w. H. Falconer, D. s. Hank
ness George G. jackson, DR.. 7. burlington, r.
w. Pollinhorn Jonathan 7. Walker.
From the report of the Secretary, we gather the
following facts
The receipts for the year were-for dues, pre-
miums, &c, $14,993 40
The disbursements were--for loans to stock
holders, $l4, 2O5 rs
Redemption of stock, l43 80
Expenses and Insurance. 32l SO
Cash in Treasury 1922 IS
The Association has been in operation Eve years,
and issued 992 shares of stock, Of which there
have been reduced 204.
The present number Of stockholders Is 90, hold
ing 8S8 shares. There have also been loans taken
upon 892 shares, at an average premium OF 50 l-6
per cent.
The assets of the Association are--for
Dues and premiums, invested in bonds and mort
cages Ts,S74 90
Dues in arrears, 8l3 81
Cash on hand, 322 rs
Total, Ss0,5l0 81
The value of the stock is slle 90 IL per share.
MUsIc.--The Marine Band will perform as usual
at the Presidents grounds this evening II appears
to be the general desire of the citizens, that they
change their present hour TO commence to . much
later one-for instance at or o'clock If they
intend following the example Of other cities, the
hau tad will bo oiv nd nd
New York, and the Boston Bands, in their even
ing outdoor concerts, commecce at o'clock and
play until ten, thus afording an opportunity to
every resident in the city to hear them. 1t is i'm.
possible for mechanics land these large class
to attend, and the apparent intention Of giving the
public cheap amusement should be carried out in
away to benefit the greatest number possible.
CosvENrIoN.-Th anti Americans met at Har-
mony Hall, on Tuesday, to nominate candidates
for the Colectorship and Regstership, who are to
be voted for at the city election four weeks from
next Monday.
The informal opinion IL manfestly for the re-
nomination Of Messrs. Roche and Mccormick for
those Offices, but the wards have not instructed
their delegates In regard to their action.
CrRcurr CoURr-yudges MorseH and Dunlop
presiding.-C. III. Alsten was appointed constable
OF the county yesterday.
This morning, upon motion of M. Thompson,
ESQ, Gen. Jacob P. Chase, formerly Of Tennessee,
but recently from South Carolina, was admitted to
practice in this court.
This morning the habeas corpus case Of David
Hazard, Samuel Hayes, John McNerhany, Richard
Biddles and Frank Dimes, was taken up.
The prisoners we're seamen in the navy, and
were sentenced for mutinous conduct by naval
court martial to imprisonment in the Penitentiary
of this District and these sentences severaly
committed by the President to less severe senten-
ces
The principle of the case is the same as in the
Wells case, where the power Of committing pun
ishment for United States offences is denied to be
in the President Of the United States.
O. Lee Jones, ESQ.,, procured the writ Of habeas
corpus and argued the case for the prisoners. Mr..
p. Barton Key for the United States
JAIL BREAKISe.--About one o'clock yesterday
two persons who were laying in Jail awaiting their
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