Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-21

Inc verdict or Si2 sd damages awarded against
the American News Company In New York Thurs
day In the suit for libel brought against that cor
poration by Miss Prescott, the actress will go far
to protect the public against HbeiS by newspapers
whose publishers and editors are without pecu-
MARY or moral responsibility. Having been as
sailed by blackmaiIiny sheet from which nothing
could be recovered the plaintiff commenced suit
against the news company which sold and circu-
lated the paper In question: with the result above
stated That agency had OF course no malicious
Intent In the premises, and probably had no knowl
edge OF the libel Ii was circulating but 1T M ade
the grave mistake during the trial OF endeavoring
10 justify the publication. The Judge held that
the company was responsible, on the ground that
Without The facilities it afforded for disseminating
the foul attacks upon Miss Prescotps character
the capacity OF her nbelers to injure her would
nave been greatly curtailed. The public will gen.
orally approve the verdict II 1t be established
that those who sell or circulate blackmaillng and
noe0GS sheets can be held for damages, as well as
those who edit. print and publish them. the num-
Der ana danger OF such publications will soon be
materially reduced.
just at present the indications are again favor
able Tor a new through line OF Railway between
Washington and New YORK. Favorable action
was had In the city council OF Wilmington Thurs
oay evening ON the application OF the Delaware
western Railroad Company to lay n double track
through certain streets OF that city and to erect
station within its limits. 1t is understood that the
right OF way through private property for the pro-
posed line has already been substantially secured
and as majority OF the members of the council
are said TO favor the proposition 1t is believed that
the enterprise will now be pushed rapidly forward.
The practical effect OF the new line, when COM
pieted VIII be to form a second route between the
cities or Baltimore AMI Philadelphia, to give the
travelling public choice OF competing roads be-
tween Washington and New York, and to open,
Through the Baltimore and Ohio system, an addi-
uonal and Independent line OF transportation be-
tween New York and the west With these vast
interests at stake the publlcwill watch the prog
reSS OF the project with unusual solicitude.
as the Jury System Failure ?" is the title of an
article Ia The Century magazine for November
1hat depends very much on the character OF the
jury, We should say, and likewise great deal on
tne side or the case you happen to be on when the
verdict comes in In the late star trial, for
Illustration, the defendants doubtless thought the
system great success, while the government was
constrained TO take the opposite view. The next
Time 1t may be entirely different Thus IL Will be
seen, the question prop0unded Is one that can't be
answered at a running jump with one hand tied
behind ones back SO TO speak.
The announcement that the Secretary of War
has submitted 10 the Judge Advocate General the
question whether the persistent refusal of an off,
Ger OF the army to pay his just debts does not maj
him liable to trial by court-martial upon charges
oi conduct unhecomiDg an officer and II gentleman
VIII De apt to lead t. the impression that the stand
ard OF honor and gentlamanly conduct In the mill
tary service Is not as high we'll I'm lerstood as
mas generally been supposed. In almost any other
walk OF lie that question would be regarded as
dennitely settled without submitting it for the
1orInality OF legal opinion on the subject
me announcement IS made, apparently semi
oihelally, that ex-senator C0nkling is now tout OF
politics" The observation has been made we
mink that that magnificent parsonage was always
~out o. politics., so far as individual efforts were
concerned, except when he happened to be per-
sOnaliy interested in the result OF an election.
the President yesterday made the appointment
OF government director OF the Pacific Railroad to
I'll a vacancy caused By death This is In the reg
ular course, and all very well, doubtless; but what
the country would like is to see him make an ap-
pointnent to I'LL a vacancy in the same board
caused by the dismissal of missing star-route wit
ness Spencer.