Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-07


To-day the Douglas brothers, Q.ewis II. ana
Frederick, jr., the respondents in the case Of
Cook sgt: the New National Era Co., by their
the bill, the object of which is to enjoin pro-
ceedinss at Law against Cook. The respondents
admit 70 at they we're engaged in the publica-
IN the interest Of and for the advancement Of
their race, and had devoted much means and
al their time, talents and endeavors to bald up
informed tSat plaintiff, With others. Owned .
newspaper called the Citizen, in regard to the
circulation, value and importance Of which the
plaintiff maintains discreet silence. That the
firm Of Douglass brothers were somewhat en-
barraSed when they were approached by Cook,
"who was strong and vigorous in promises"
cate OF o' rs and sd
under the name of the New National Era and
Citizen Publishing Company, and under 1t
owners of the Citizen subscribed for additional
shares of stock to the amount Of fourteen hun
bred dollars; that complainant, Cool, subscribed
for four shares, and paid $50 in cash and gave
his notes for the balance; that Boston, Augusta,
Greenep and JOHNSON subscribed each for an
equal number Of shares, and from them all
msinder; that Lewis 81. Douglass was elected
president and +. Douglass, IT,, secretary of the
company, and were each to receive SIS per
ments held out to them to enter the new ar
range ment weBe the assurances Of the plaintiff
and his frere, Greener, that the patron age OF
GEORGE ID.
johnson was the principal bookkeeper, could
be secured to the new company, and that its
gross amount would be at least $50 900 per an
mum; that Cook and Greener further undertook
and promised in behalf of themselves and
friends to pay $500, to be used in payment of
rent and other debts; that they would subscribe
and pay in cash for 81 500 of the stock, to he
used as the working capital with which TO COM
mence the new paper; and that fully relying on
these promises the respondents entered into the
new company, and had they supposed that any
sol nrx.fcA -
faithfully performed they would rot have
entertained the proposition. They aver that
each and every one OF these promises and assur-
this reason alone they in perfect good faith re.
fused to transfer their stock, material, ma
chiDery, &C., 70 the new company, although
they permitted Ii to be used. They were will
ling, however, to turn it over upon the payment
OF the $500 promised, so as to meet the firm
debts; and the use OF the material and their own
solely s ve1 Of SeeoSna ed
the same. They state they believe 1t was the
design Of Cook and associates to secure the pos
sns q the By
be performed. The whole proceeds Of the bust
ness from the Freedmen's Bank to the present
time is less than s, 900. 1t is true, stock was
are on the books Of the Corporation.
while the names Of respondents do not
appear on the books as stockholders They
state that for the reasons set forth, and not for
the purpose of enriching themselves, they do
not expect to withdraw from business nor from
any personal responsibility for the debts and
liabilities they have incurred. It Is true since
the formation of the company, debts and liza
billties have been incurred to q large amount
owing to the utter want Of means at the com.
menceme mt, and the entire failure of Cook &
Co. to perform any of their undertakings and
it was impossible to publish the paper without
mourning debts. They deny that any of these
debts were unnecessary, or that they were Gre
ated in bad faith. They deny that they have
WITHDRAWN anything from the concern for use
or investment, not even the small sum stipula-
lated as salary; that there would have been due
them the 4th of March, ss06.75, of which Lewis
n has received s2J4, and Frederick, jr., s23I
The former advanced $50, and the latter s22j
which he borrowed from his wife, and during
the late bank suspension. in consequence of the
want OF means to pay the workmen, they took
rules OF the printers trade. All these
Iabors they have cheerfully performed while
Cook has never withdrawn an hour of tim.
nom other lucrative pursuits, and has never
paid dollar except the $50 above set forth, and
refuses 10 pay his note. "Finally, he gets an
injunction to stay the collection Of jud gment,
and causes TO be seized and silenced the ONLY
organ OF his race and cause published at the
capital, = and has falsified his word and
Violated bis solemn obligations and promises"
have been obliged to carry on business without
express authority of the company. and state
% at IL was owing to Cook purposely absenting
himself frsm meetings Of the board of trustees
Ihey state that the formation of the company
pas been fruitful source of annoyance, mis-
fortune, and disaster to them, and that IL Cook
z anxious to escape his connection with them
hey are eager to sever the connection but sub-
init that he has no cause to complain, nor had
ne the slightest occasion to procure an iniunc-
ton. They ask that the order for the Injunction
and receiver be set aside and the bill be dis
missed.