The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-22
GROOM AGAINST COOPER.

THE SOFT MONEY CANDIDATE FOR THE PKEsI-
DENCY ON THE WITNESS sTAND-HIs SPEECH
IN FAVOR OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.
The attention of the Supreme Court, Kings county,
Judge Pratt presiding was again occupied yesterday
in the trial Of the action brought by Wallace p Groom
against the venerable philarthropist Peter Cooper
to $4,000 damages for an alleged libel con-
tanned in letter circulated by the defendent reflect
ing the integrity of the plaintiff. Mr.. Cooper,
being recalled to the witness stand, took his seat
his air cushion, the picture Of wonderfully pre-
served octogenarian. He was examined by Mr.. W.
w. Goodrich, counsel for the plaintiff and testified
in clear and rapid manner frequently exciting the
mirth Of the jury and spectators. Witness said
he frequently met Mr.. Groom previous to the cleo
tion Mr.. Groom told him that he wanted S. 0OO and
If he did not get it within ten days he
would be in the hands Of receiver; the manifold
letter true to the best Of the witness knowledge
and belief, and he would make the same statement
again If he had the opportunity; Mr.. Cooper said it
well on to fifty years ago when he began to send
ont documents for the education OF the people:" he
had employed Mr. Groom to do a great deal Of his
printing! witness said he had his suspicious now that
he had acted unfairly in Of their transactions;
he had printed millions of documents and had sent
them all over the country; had had the printing
Mr. Groom was q candidate for Congress on the re-
publican ticket; knew it from the fact that Mr..
Groom told him 80; he thought it o good nom-
nation. Witness said he had assented to Groom
nomination because he had advanced tho grecnback
cause
O. You have no charge to make against him in this
respect? A. No. SIR was willing to aid him in the
election. and did to the extent of 800; thought
him good man, and went his invitation
and addressed Sunday school at Greenpoint
Qaughter); never received SO much iattery in my
life
Counsellor Goodrich tsmilingly)-AIr. Groom says
he never heard you make better speech.
Mr. Cooper laughed, the Judge smiled and the jury
reflected the smiles of the audience.
Mr. Cooper, continuing his testimony aid-Yes
have held q political office; elected to the
New York Common Council fifty years ago;
elected for three terms held any other Office
except that Of president of the North American Tele
graph Company.
O. Didn't you ever preside at the Tammany Hall
meetngsg A. Yes; but that twenty-six years ago.
| O. That was hard money meeting was it not?
| A. Yes, sir.
O. You arc still hard money man? A. Well, be-
lieye dollar issued by the government should be
dollar all
O. when did you hrst make complaint against
Mr.. Groom? A. When found had good cause.
O. We'll. want to know about the date? A. 1t was
election day.
O. Did you see Mr.. Groom election day? A. No,
but complained to others didn't him till six
days after; he kept out OF the way; hoard
that Mr. Groom went to Washington and to the Cen
tcnnial; all knew about Mr.. Groom Keeping out of
the way from hcarsay. After some further evil
dence had been submitted the counsel summed up
and the will be given to the jury to-day