The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-27
THE WILKES LIBEL sUIr.
The sceno In the General scssieus-Inef-
fectuai Attempt TO Pestpepe tho Trial
Justice Dowlins and Recorder Hackctt
on the afs nd.


The scenc In the General scssieus-Inef-
fectuni Attempt TO Pe.tssus tho Trial
Justice Dowlins and Recorder Hackett
on the Stand.
In the Court Of General Sessions yesterday
morning Saunders d. Bruce, the proprietor and
publisher Of the 7u,J Fysid and Farm In this city,
was placed on trial before Judge Bedford for an al.
legged libelof George Wilkes the editor OF tho Shirt
OF ne Times. TIE court room was crow ded with O
large number OF prominent politicians and sporting
men. Mr.. Wilkes sat beside District Attorney Gar.
win during the examination OF the witnesses. UPON
the prisoner being arraigned his counsel asked for
q postponement OF tho upon the grounds OF ab-
sence Of some material witnesses, but his motion
was denied. He then renewed II. stating that the
r,tained counsel, Mr. HARRINGTON. was then absent
In Albany, and he could not try the case himself.
His motion again being denied, he asked that time
might be given the prisoner TO employ other coun.
sci, as he would withdraw from the case.
Mr.. Bruce was SLOWED half an hour, when John
ii. Anthon appeared for the defence, and renewed
the application for adjournment which was again
denied. The prisoner was then granted one hours
time TO procure counsel to defend him. Al the close
OF IN hour james Clark. Bsq, appeared for Mr..
Bruce.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY GARvN OPENED
for the people. He read the article containing the
was pu bllshed In the 7Srr, Fy,id and Farm OF Dec
81. The parts OF the article which were alleged to
be libellous were those In which certain individual
was alluded to "who had first opened his eyes
heaven nlono knew where; who had been chsrae
terized by his hostility TO Gov. Seward, who had
refused 10 pardon a youthful indiscrotion Of bis {;
who Ind gone to California, and there suggested to
the people how TO morally conduct their govern
ment; had been bosom friend OF Senator Broder-
lex there and In this city and on his, Broderick's,
DEATH came North and on tho fruits OF tholr friend.
ship started a sporting paper In this city; who had
figured largely In prize nights, and was engaged in
sns business o. furnishing substitutes to the Gov.
No names were mentioned, but the District Attcr-
ney conlendtd he would chow that MIR. Bruce cant
10 hbtl Mr.. wilkes when he Published that article.
THs YiRsr WITNESS
wa, Norris J. Foster, who testified thaton the ~,
OF January he bought copy OF the Turf. Field aud
Farm over the counter OF the ofcc 81 Park row. In
was the Identical article boiore referred to- that he
Mr.. Wilkes.
JUSTICE DowLINo
was next sworn. He had known Mr.. Wilkes nftecn
yesrs before he went 70 California in 1889; he
CWhkes) was associate editor with Mr.. Porter In the
sporaang a;,g, T~s. , Shsn % he Ie,u,sed one day while
me copy Of the TTT Fisid and Farm, an and caaS
cism." askedme II was ibcilous declined TO give
any opinion he wished TO make a Complaint for
another party: but refused TO entertain IT, but said
would take complaint for George Wilkes, as |
believed the article referred to hlm; advised him
to go to some attorney and get tho nfndavts drawn
un, Which was done, and issued q warrant; Mr..
Bruce appeared aud gave beii In my opinion the
article refers to Geo. Wilkes.
RECORDER HAcxETr.
was next sworn lie testified that hc was In Caiifor.
MA In 1859 knew md saw Broderick and Wilkes
there their relations were very intimate; knew
that Broderck's election Us United States Senator
as he had the management OF the CANVASS. The n.
oellous article was then handed witness. He said
tnat was his belief that reerrod to Geo. Wilkes.
WILLIAM J. nAsKrTr, TIE NEXT WITNESS,
testified that he had known Mr. Wilkes SO years
knew that Bruderick and Wilkes we're good
terms. as he (witnees) once had difference with
Ne SinfS ra nif-y ',s c sAsnssd 90 N seiis. 70
them together and msf' them friends Il was his
belief the article referred 10 Geo. Wilkes
DR. H. s. QuAcKESBrsu
was next sworn. He had known Wilkes for twenty.
five years knew Broderick also was their physi.
cian met BrOdcrlck the last time he was In this city
before his dcath, at the Metropolitan Hotel; he
looked melancholy; informed bin OF the death OF
his mother he said lac was going to California aud
thought be would never zee New YORK agnin asked
him II he had arranged all mis- Affairs and VINO he had
contlded In for their disposition; he replied tnt he
had attended TO all that, aud mad made Geo Wilkes
ms rtsduary legatcc; this wis In 1869; though tue
article in question referred to Wilkes.
JAS. H'GowAS
was sworn lie was u clerk IA the Board OF super.
VlSors knew Mr.. Bruce was one OF tle editors o.
the 1tyf, tie'd, drd Farm, and u wus his belief
The Court here adjourned until II o'clock thi
morning.