The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-01
THE COURTS.
Reward of Aspirations for Bio
graphical Glory
NEW PHASE IN CIVIL SERVICE,

Several years ago Mr. Frederick Henry Greer set
about the publication Of book with the title "Men
Of Progross, 10 which be obtained number OF sub
scribers. including some quite prominent nsn. The
subscribers were to each his biography 10 the
book which was represented TO contain only leading
men, The contract made with the Subscribers was
that they were 70 take certain number OF copies of
the book, and q failure to do SO were TO forfeit
certain sum for the arst volume, that sum 10 be
doubled the next and each gross sum TO be again
doubled for each succeeding volume not taken In
formity with tho contract When the book came out
some OF the subscribers found themselves in very
congcniai company, and, tho whole thing being un.
satisfactory, they refused to take the book. They
we're still astonished when they were presented
with claims for damages calculated according to the
pecuI. arithmetca provisions OF the These
claims were disputed, and many suits followed,
~ ono or pIeas dscarsd the peeuor conroet 10 be-
VOID. Among the subscribers and one OF those sued
Hon. Cassius N. Clay. TO the papers which were
served upon HIM there was appended the name OF l..
b. Brague attorney, but subsequently being made
to appear 10 the Court that Mr.. Brague's name was
used without authority the suit was dismissed ana
the plaintiff ordered to pay to defendant the costs and
five per cent allowance on tho amount claimed by him.
The plaintiff then com menced second suit In the Ma
r,ne Court for the same claim, the papers having
siguoa to them as attorney the name OF william H.
Sloan In Chambers OF the Court, yesterday, motion
was made before Judge Shea the part OF deondant,
for order to compel the paintn to ho In Court the
contract TO IN the on ~9acn rns
very complimentary to the terms oil the contract,
which other suits thereon had come under his OBJ
scrVation, granted the order asked for
FORCE OF VERBAL AGREEMENTS.
William A. Toles went into tho employ Of the firm
of Hazen, Whitney, Todd Co, dry goods mercharts
No. 392 Bro.dway, the 1s of January 1876 for one
year assistant bookkeeper, at salary OF 5000 per
year, payable weekly, under written agreement On
the LIST OF January, 1877 Mr.. Toes remained in their
employ mont under verbal agreement to the same
effect for another year, aud again. he alleges, Tor
another year, from January, 1878, on the same terms
less ten per cent On LIST OF July last the firm dis
charged him. Mr. Tolcs brought suit before the First
Disre Court for damages, aud the cause came on to
be tried before Judge Callahan and jury. 1t was
proven on the part OF plaintiff that. verbal agree
ment had been made for one year at the last above
cause ON July /; that another assistant bookkeeper
had been substituted ut - q week, and that Mr.
Toles bad invariably discharged his duties with ability
and efficiency Mr. Abram F. HaZen, ono OF the
partners OF the firm, testified that Mr. roles had been
in their employ two years and hall, but that this
year he had continued on sunerance only, and Mr..
TODD swore about some alleged error IN tho books
com lifted year ago Mr.. Henry II. Morange, who
appeared us counsel for the plaintiff, summed up IN
his behalf closely and logically anayzing the facts
whom he alleged had been discharged unjustly. Mr.
William B. TulIis summed mp in behalf OF Defendants
insisting that the plaintiff HAD cause OF action
against defendants. Tho Judge briefly charged the
would adopt as the Of the case, and the
damages The jury, In about two minutes, brought In
a verdict for the paintin tor S250-iull amount
cIaimed-to which the Judge added an allowance