The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-04-27

The second trial Of the Reilly-Scripps libel
suit is slowly dragging itself to the end. This
case grew out of the publishing OF some ac-
count OF the rakish doings Of young hummer
lawyer OF Detroit, who subsequently became
Circuit Judge by the suffrsges of the hummer
element of that city. When the case was first
commenced the position was taken and acted
on by the Judge before whom the proceedings
were brought that the bench and bar must
unite and protect each other by oil the judicial
power that could be brought to bear against
any structures or comments by the press-that
the press must be taught by heavy fines and
penalties. better manners than to dare COM
ment on the disreputable dongs OF the upstairs
and blackguards who are filing the ranks Of
profession which tradition informs US was once
Illed by men OF learning, ability, and probity.
We are of the opinion that the press will con-
tinue to be terror to all such thigh toned"
gent emen as Judge Reilly Is, or was.
Since the above was in type the daily papers
bring us the intelligence that the case is con-
cluded and that verdict was filed by the jury,
awarding five thousand dollars damages against
James f. Scripps of the Evening News. The
verdict was in accordance with the charge Of
Judge Cochran. before whom the case was
tried, who said ut becomes necessary for
me to charge you, that the plaintiff is entitled
to your verdict for damages.
The matter grew out Of the publication Of
the specifications contained in bill filed on
the chancery side(?) Of the circuit court in a
divorce case, in which Cornelius Reilly was
made to figure in u manner quite derogatory
to the department Of well regulated young
barrister, and especially 30 to an ambitious
aspirant for the judicial robes.
As we understand it, the matter pu blished in
the News was IN fact true copy of the certain
specifications contained in the bill, which had
become public record, by reason OF having
been filed in public office, and was open to
the inspection Of the general public. AS we
understand it, our constitution and laws allow
the truth TO be given in evidence in cases Of
this kind, as a bar to damages. To avoid the
effect OF these PROVISIONS, Judge Cochran gives
us new rendering and Interpretation Of these
provisions, 30 as to avoid the conclusive effect
of these salutary provisions, in these words
:" The liberty of the press consists in the
right to publish, with impunity, truth with
good motives, and for UNSUITABLE ends, whether
it respects governments, magistracy or individ-
uals.' All beyond this 10 RIGHTEOUSNESS"
Although the matter published was true
that is it was contained in the bill Of complaint
MIR. Reilly, conceived the idea that 1t might,
as it really did, show him up in an unenvable
light In his maiden dignity as a judicial dis
penser Of ''exact and equal justice, Get out to
punish the newspaper that dare do such an act
as to publish anything derogatory to member
OF the bar. To this end. all his energies were
bent; and he was reinforced by large portion
of the bar and the local judiciary. The court
ruled practically, that so far as Judge Reilly
was concerned, the publication was licentious
and lbelous, and therefore the News must be
made to suffer for it's temerity and all other
journals taught that Barristers and Judges
were too sacred to be mentioned in their
columns, otherwise, than with the utmost re-
spect and Difference. We hope Judge Reilly
will ind his judgment sufficient emollient fol-
his llaIsons and rakishness.