Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-21
OR LIBEL SUIT.
William Prince against the sEyenSrg
STAR

OUR LIBEL SUIT.
William Prince against the '.ESensEG
STAR
This case, in which Mr.. W. Prince (of F street,
asks $4,000 OF The STAR for the publication of
an item on the 10th of October. 1870, concerning
case OF mistaken identity, in which two P.s
play part. Mr.. P, of the avenue, being AS
saIed by an indignant husband in place OF q
Mr.. p, of street was continued after our re-
port closed Yesterday.
The plaintiff having closed his case, Mr.. Rid
fence.
s. Moves sworn-witness is editor and one
OF the proprietOrs OF the EVENING STAR. His
attention called to the article BY the two
Princes on The morning after the publication
M Prince the broker, seemed to treat the mat
Objected TO by Mr.. Darlington.
witness does not remember the exact words
Esed BY the two Princes respectively. In an
swcr to Mr.. Princes complaint witness said he
would make inquiry as 10 the foundation for the
item, and would make an explanation in behalf
Of Mr.. Prince. They talked the thing over,
and thought il would BE best to throw the mat,
ter OF in playful way. Witness wrote out the
eIIIanatiOn published i'm accordance with what
he understood Mr.. Prince wanted.
In subsequent conversation with Prince, the
ttamPer, he said this explanation had not
answered the purpose. He inquired if he had
not better publish q card, but they came to the
conclusion that IL would not be best to give fur
Their notoriety TO the matter, as he (Prince) said
he had stopped q woman who had concealed
them, and he also referred to the case of Mrs
Hume. In view of these occurrences they (plain-
TN and witness) concluded that it would not be
advantageous to Prince to saw anything more
about IL Prince being advertiser in TIE
STAR. and witness having nothing but friendly
feelings for him, he was disposed to do anything
he could TO serve him in the mater. Thew con-
clHded that il would not be advisable for Mr.
Prince to publish a card or to have further at
iennOn called TO the matter. Prince then left
and witness heard nothing more of him until
tll- suit. On inquiry witness learned that Mr.
Young, of The STAR office, had brought in the
matter.
Mr.. Darlington objected.
Cross COMMUNICATIONS had two inter-
views with Dir. Prince. He stated that some
tody had visited his store and expressed dissat-
ISfaeuon at that style of treatment of ladies in
dCated in TIE STAR article. Prince did not
give the name OF the lady. he did not mention
several ladies who had taken goods away. Did
not say that his business had fallen of 50 that IL
q continued TO fall of in the same proportion he
would he ruined. Did say that the explanation
had not answered the purpose intended This
interview took place after the publication Of the
explanation.
Mr.. Thomas L. HnMe was sworn:-Asked a. TO
whether he had had any conversation with Mrs.
r " as to the $40 bill; but beng overruled
Mr.. Riddle excepted
Mr.. Riddle offered to call Mr.. j. Il. K Plant
10 prove that Mr.. Prince had called on him to
enter complaint against Mrs. Hume in relation
10 the $40.
Objected 70 and ruled out
Tie Court here adjourned for the day.
Proceedings To-day.
The examination OF witnesses on, the mart ~
the defense was resumed.
ScnEei g. fsung, sworn-Exa mined by Mr.
kIddle-Witness is cashier OF the Evening Star
company; was acting in that capacity in Octo-
Der, 1870.
q. State what you know about the collecting
IIe facts or materials for the article Of which
Mr.. Prince now complains.
Objected TO by Nj. Darlington.
The objection was overruled by the Court, and
the witness directed TO answer.
These facts Wi Epnu laIrv In,
casual conversation with some friends upon the
sueet, or In some store along the avenue. II
taken pisee and M,tnes. i an .oesurIenee had
good joke upon Mr.. Hume. When witness went
back TO the ONCE he gave the particulars to M
not know Mr.. Prince at that time; knew there
was such An advertiser. Witness held the MAJ
ter TO re good joke on MI Hume. Became
acquainted with Mr.. Prince as an advertiser
afterwards, and when Mr. Prince would come
N be would remark upon the good effect which
his advertisements had In bringing customers;
rI ne never complained to Witnessed the effect
Cross-examined by Mr.. Darlington WITNESS
Is not an editor or reporter OF THK STAR, though
lie occasionally writes for it, the facts as stated
IN the article were given to witness in sub
stance IN the conversation mentioned; does not
Itmemoer the names Of the persons taking part
W: r. Collins sworn.-witness was EMPLOYED
Oh IHf STAR in October, 1870, and still is q
Ssstant editor; wrote the article complained Of;
hr: 1oung gave him the data; in publishing the
arucle MS intention was the same as in publish
lng any other matter OF news which he Thought
SooId ee OF interest to the public; he did not
Know MI Prince, and could not therefore have
has any intention to injure him; did not know
NJ hume; he got all the facts from Mr.. Young
Defense nefe .ests
Mr.. Prince Was called by the plaintiff and "a.
butted. Mr.. Moves is the ONLY one OF the editors
OF IBE STAR that witness happens TO know:
had TWO interviews with Mr.. Moves within one
hour, and none Afterwards Those interv,ews
were prior the notification of r.
article. Never told ME. Soyes he was satisfied
with the second article.
The count said THE testimony could not be
gwen as rebutting testimony, as II was ONLY a
repetition OF the testimony given BY the witness
yesterday.
The plaintiff here rested, and Mr.. F.. C. Car
rneton commenced his argument for the plain
tiff After calling attention 10 the vast isfu-
ence OF the pres; TO itsmighty power for good or
evil he argued that 1t was therefore of the great
t>t Importance that IL should be kept within
proper bounds. While he was in favor of tha
fullest liberty of the press while confined itself
20 public measures and public men. and sought
opposed 10 the licentious and mischievous spirit
which II had too often exhibited. The press had
no night 70 parade his name, the jury's names,
a. private citizens, before the public and hold
them up to public ridicule. This STAR. fine
moSt popular paper in the District, and which
reaches all POINTS Of the country, hadi in its
power 10 ruin him. TO ruin the jury, to ruin Mr.
Prince; and he (P.) claimed that 1t had very
nearly done the latter. No man was safe II
ihese things were allowed to 60 on.
TIE BOARD OF HEALTH met last night DR..
Verdi, the health Officer. submitted report In
regard 20 the sewer on Bridge street; that the
contractors gives a reason why the sewer b I'D
not been completed was the cold weather, and
states that the work will be pushed towards
completion at once, and the nuisance com
Planned Of abated. The health oficer reported
TIA; he has inspected all the ice depots In the
DstIlct, and will put 70 the test OF The micro
.Sope az me zee stored therein, and will report
TIE result 70 the board at future meeting A
Communication was received iron r. ". lin
kIns, complaining that night soil had been
deposited on the premises on Water street. ~
tween u and n streets, and aaking to have tn
nuisance abated; referred to the inspector gene
raj So
Il. q. o. F.-Reiig 70 cAicaJo.-Lass uisht a
mass meeting Of the Order OF Odd Fellows Wa
held 10 listen 70 an address nom Z. B. Sherman.
OF Chicago, In relation to the scenes and Incl
dents OF the late nrein thai city. and On account
ofthe operations Of the Odd Fellous' relief com
mittee, which II said 10 be the Dost en- cSent in
that city In ts systemo Of distributing the needed
rehef This committee has on its rollD ,S61 ap-
pHcAuOns, and hna xfepded au,olA rslisf m an