The New York herald., 1876-09-27
GENERAL SESSIoNs-PART ]

THE WAR ON OBSCENE LITERATURE.
Louis Kuostner and Henry Kuestper were placed at
the charged with having the 9Th April last
sold q certain obscene book ut No. 154 Essex street.
Assistant District Attorney Herring appeared for the
prosecution. which instituted at tho instance Of
the Society for the Suppression OF Vice Mr. A. Oakley
Hall defended the prisoners
Mr. Anthony Comstock. agent of the society," testified
that the prisoners kept stationery store at No 154
Essex street; witness went there the day IN ques
tion and purchased obscene book for which he paid
twenty cents; his assistant also purchased
other similar obscene books and pamphlets
which were submitted to the jury for examination.
The witness cross examination by Mr.. Hall
stated that he went 10 tho TO sec II what had
defendants were in tho habit Of loaniug books for n
certain sum Of money he knew that II he purchased
an obscene book on the premises he would have
sufficient ground 10 proceed against the proprctors;
it with the prisoner Henry, that he had any deal
nes, not having seen LOUIS on the day he made the
purchase he him on the day OF tho arrest; tho
day OF tho purchase Mr. Button, his assistant came
into the store and returned a book which had been
loaned to him and obtained another; witness took up
book and the price OF It, and kuestner said they
did not sell them, but they loaned them he said that
IL witness paid SO much for book and brought back
he would be allowed fifteen cents or witness could take
another book and pay ten cents; witness bought two
books for fifiy cents and lett tho store.
Joseph A. Briton testified that he employed by
the Society the Suppression OF Vice When he
first went to the store Of the defendants he asked
Henry hueStner Wnetner he DQ0 any "rich raCy'
books Kuestner said he had but not for SALE Witness
about TO leave when Kuestner said he had some
he would lend, and exhibited what purported TO be
translatons of Paul de Rocks works. deposis Of
twenty-five cents was required and ten cents for tho
loan Of the book Witness gave this book to Mr..
Comstock Al the close OF the tor the prose-
cution Mr. Hall moved that the jury bo directed 10
acquit Louis Kuesncr the ground that the
did connect him with the JOINT possession OF the
book set up in the indictment. He also moved to
acquit both fthe defendants, because there
evidence that the book set up In the indictment aud
submitted TO the jury obscene He further moved
that the jury DO directed to acqut the defendants on
the ground that intent to disseminate obscene liie
rature had been proven.
Judge Gidersleeve denied the motona
LOUIS kuestner then examined, and stated that
he knew but very little about tho Looks In question,
not beng able to read English well; he did not know
that they any different from the ordinary dime
novels sold he had little to do with the business in
store, beng mostly engaged outside while his brother
attended 10 The business inside.
The prisoner Henry Kuestner, at this stage pleaded
guilty, and the question TO the guilt OF the her
prisoner was submitted TO the jury who returned a
verdict OF guilty. Mr.. Hall made eloquent ap-
peal in behalf OF Henry Kuestner, who sentenced
VIOLATING SANITARY ORDINANCE
Michael Kane and James Savage were arraigned at
tho bar charged with storing, keeping and turning
In East Forty street, In violation OF ordi-
No liz Of the Sanitary code. Mr.. w. II. Prem
appeared the part of the Board Of Health. and
exJudge Garvin for the prisoners They both pleaded
guilty and were sentenced to pay nne OF $3.50 each.