The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-19
The OIiver-CsmerOn suit For Damages
ssme Racy Talk from Butler.

WASHINGTON, March 18.-The following
are to-days development In the Oliver Came
ron suit:
The court room was crowded to overflow
ing this morning by the best class of citizens,
including many persons prominent In political
life. Mrs. Oliver was early on hand but
Senator Cameron was not present. Gen.
Butler first claimed the attention OF the court
on the question caused by the plaintiffs coun-
| eli In endeavoring to prove their clients So
duCtion by defendant under promise Of mar
riage to mitigate damages. Mr. Butler, after
| alluding to the painful and unpleasant de-
| velopnents that will ensue to both parties to
the suit from the opening OF this question,
went on to argue that the charge II seduction
not being alleged In the complaint should
have been made the issue OF special plead
allegation OF the plaintiff was not an issue In
this case. Gen. Butler proclaimed 1t aloud
that young woman had no redress what
ever II they part with that which they should
not part with. In closing he asked that his
honor interpose to the Introduction OF the
charge Of seduction into this case
Mr.. Danneille, Mrs. divers counsel, arose
to reply, but the court refused to allow fur
ther argument on this question. He would,
however. listen TO any authorities without
comments.
During the arguments on this question O
man, said to be Mrs. divers first husband,
came into court and held a short, hurried
| conversation with Gen. Butler, to whom he
handed q package of papers. The proposi.:
| tion to show seduction under a promise OF
marriage in aggravution Of damages to
which Gen. Butler had objected, was then re-
| viewed by the court, who said he was doubt
full as to his ruling but could only come to
the conclusion that they must hear the testi-
mony and open this sewage as guardedly as
| we can.
This ruling caused quite a sensation and a
buzz OF expectancy ensued when Mrs. Oliver
resumed her seat on the stand. In reply to a
question whether relying upon the promises
made by Cameron, she had consented TO
allow him to take improper liberties with her,
she answered In the affirmative and detailed
| the visits she paid him at the st. Charles
Hotel In New Orleans, when he had taken
advantage Of her weakness and prevailed on
| her to stay In his room all night, during
which he gave her champagne to drink and
| frequently alluded to her approaching mar.
riage.
Gen. Butler then CONNIE enced cross
examination Of the witness, during which
she referred to his story Of her past life, par
ticularly as to what she told Senator Cameron
about herself and her divorced husband
when and where she met Oliver, and how
they had lived together as man and wife
stating, finally, that she had not seen Oliver
since the war.
At this jnncture Gen. Butler showed ths
witness photograph and asked her II thai
was Oliver. She gave an evasive answer, anC
Gen. Butler said: well, well, see II that 1
Oliver" and, turning to the bailifi, said
"Call Oliver" Some time was spent In fore
ing passage through the crowd, which hat
become very large portly, fine-lookine
man, with white moustache, about sixty
years of age, was then forced into the space
ia front of the witness.
us that Mr.. Oliver" asked Gen. Butler
pointing to the new conner.
eyes, SIR" answered the witness demurely
Gen. Butler then went into a series OF ques
| tions relative to the relations of the two, anC
drew out the admission that while she hac
held the relation of wife to him it was illegal
] as he had another wife living at the time.