Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-22
A Verdict for 100000.


MR.. KILBOURN's SUIT AGAINST Ex-sERGEANT-AT
ARMS THoMPsoN-NoTICE OF NOTION FOR A NEW
TRIAL GIVEN.
AS stated In THE STAR yesterday, the case OF
haliet kilbOurn against John G. Thompson, ex.
Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives
was given to the jury in the Circuit Court, Judge
Macarthur, at two p. m. Athalfp past three O'Clock
Judge Macarthur left word that IL the Jury came
In by seven O'Clock to send for him. otherwise to
return sealed verdict About seven o'clock the
jury sent for the Judge, and the foreman an
nounced that they had found verdict of 500, O0s
damages for the plaintiff. District Attorney Cork
hill, who was present, bad thu jury poled and the
verdict was recorded. The district attorney then
gave notice OF a motion for new trial on the
ground that the damages were excessive and TOT
errors IN law ON the part OF the court.
The law In the case having been settled by the
Supreme Court of the United States the only thing
In this court was for the jury to assess the dam
ages
The verdict was evidently surprise as to the
amount and Mr. Corkhill, for the defendant at
the sympathies OF the public are with the paintifl
In this matter the general impression is that the
amount OF the verdict is too high AMI that its
weight Will nullify 1t and make new trial neceS.
Sary.
TIRE JURY
consisted OF VIM. c. MurdOck {oremanN Charles
L. Hulse, Charles Lu1dington, Ludwig Eisinger
Lemuel E. Lusby, James L. Turner, August Schroe-
der, John w. Jett, Charles Auldrich Alex J. How
ard, James Graham and Thomas Paxton
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CASE.
The suit, as will be remembered, was brought by
Mr.. Kilbourn to recover damages for As days i'm.
prIsonment, inflicted upon him in 1876, for alleged
contempt OF the House of Representatives in re-
fusing to produce certain books OF his firm in re-
Spouse to demand made by the committee con.
Quoting what was called the real est te pool in
vestiyation. He was committed to the custody OF
the Sergeant-at-ArmS on the 14th OF March, 1876
and conhned in the jail until released through a
writ OF habeas corpus by Chief Justice Cartier On
August 9Th following Mr.. KilbOurn entered suit
against Speaker Kerr since deceased and the other
parties and in the Circuit Court pleas were filed
that the imprisonment was in the power OF the
plaintiff demurred and the demurrers were over.
ruled The case then went to the Supreme Court
OF the United States, ana that court affirmed the
Judgment below as to all the parties, except
Thompson, and remanded the case. So the suit
ended yesterday was against Thompson alone
WHAT Mr. KILBOURN SAYS.
Meeting Mr. Hallet Kilbourn this morning, a
STAR reporter asked him what he thought Of the
verdict.
"Well, expected to get the entire amount OF the
damages. The amount named was what thought
Was Justly due me, and supposed that TIE jury
''What will be the next step?"
II am sure don't know. To-day is the anniver-
sary OF my release BY Chief Justice Cartier. Six
members Of Congress about 1t, and there was talk
OF fmpeaching the chief justice. Then when the
Supreme Court decided in my favor there was an
find fault with this verdict But through ali these
six years, in spite OF opposition, the record has
been making up In my favor, and Shall be ready
for the next whenever 1t comes"
WHAT Ex-sERaEANT-AT-ARMsT THOMPSON SAYS
"What will be the next step. coloncl?" asked q
STAR reporter OF ex-Sergeant-at-Arms John G..
Thompson.
1--WE will ask Judge Cartier to grant the case
rehearing, and If this Is refused then we viii take
1t, on bill OF exceptions, to the Court in Banc.
After that, OF course, I don't know what will be
done"
where you surprised at the verdict"
"Yes. at the amount, and think that the other
side were too. They would have been satisfied
judge, with verdict OF s25 600 or $50 OO0 but the
jury must have reached this amount by the system
country. Each juror puts down the amount he
thinks proper, and then the whole is added up and
divided by IL l think 1t Is the wrong method, but
still 1t Is done"
"Were you satisfied with the jury and the de.
fence?"
81 did not know anything about the jury, except
tnat was told 1t was very good one. Every
thing was done for the defence, believe, and am
satisfied. OF course, there were no legal points in.
VOWED, and the only question was the assessment
Of the aH.cunt.'
WHAT DISTRICT ATTORNEY CoRKHIfl SAYS
District Attorney Corkhill. who appeared in the
trial OF the case as counsel for Mr. Thompson, said
to-day that the Judgment which was excessive
and contrary to the judges instructions, carried
with 1t its own destructOn; that he and his client
felt no concern about 1t; that the judgment would
certainly be largely reduced, as no Judge would
allow 1t TO stand, and that no Congress would ap
propriate such sum. He thought the verdict
was q hOax-a fancy verdict-rendered for thu
purpose OF vindcating Mr.. KilbOurn. lie under
stood, he said, that the jury had solemnly agreed
not to let anyone know how they reached the yer
Monday.