Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-04

There Is report in Massachusetts, that Gen.
Butler Is laying his wires for another canvass for
the gubernatorial chair, but up to the present
the General has neither affirmed nor denied the
rumOr. Meantime, there Is a libel suit pending
against weekly paper, which my determine
Just how much O1i,lIn or credit there Is in being
supporter OF the General In the canvass OF 1879
when Gen. Butler ran for governor, the paper in
question, in commenting upon what it deemed the
unfftness OF a certain candidate for republicans
nomination state senator, said that he was
Tout for Butler, t. the infinite disgust of his in
Innate personal and political friends and repub-
Ncans." The asprant for senatorial honors
missed the nomination, and he has brought suit
for libel against the newspaper, laying damages
at 5000, and citing the sentence quoted as the
alleged libel the jury in the case Will be called
upon TO decide whether not It creates sinfinite
disgust in the minds OF Massachusetts, people for
man 10 be known or called political follower of
Gen. Butler. Besides this, there IS another ques-
tion Of some interest involved. As the pay of a
state senator for his entire term would not amount
20 5000, the plaintiff must have Included perqui-
0tes In his calculation, and it remains to be seen
II the jury will make him an allowance for the
"pickinSs" he might have found in the office.
s
Statistics for the year 1881 show that during that
period one hundred and ninety-eight steam vessels
We're wrecked, or at the Fate OF little more than
one for every two days OF the year. OF this num-
Der just one-half were stranded. while only forty
were lost IN the open sei, by laundering, thus
seeming TO justify the sailors old saying that solid
ground is far more dangerous than the ocean.
The hurricanes OF November were the most severe
OF the year, but tie most destructive month was
October, during which thrty-two steamers were
lost, or over one day. OF course, much the
largest number OF wrecks were English, footing I'D
one hundred and f0rty-One.-the United States
coming next I'm the list with fifteen. 1t Is crafty
Ing TO be able 10 add that considering the number
OF vessels wrecked the loss OF life was compare
lively small,-a circumstance doubtless largely
due 10 the fact that most of the vessels lost were
freight ships, and Lot considered sufficiently safe
for passengers.
Why not let the jury In the Guiteau case read
the newspapers of the day? The prisoner IL
allowed TO make speech whenever he feels like
II, telling that body that the public is anxious for
his acquittal that popular sentiment is all IN favor
OF that course, and that what the jury wants 10
know is public opinion" The idea is good one
No doubt it would have healthy effect II the jury
could know exactly what impression the proceed
fngS In the case are making On the minds OF the
people; but 10 would be much better to let them
get their Information at first hands instead OF NJ
tered through the brain OF the assassin. To that
end IL Is respectfully suggested that newspapers
De furnished 10 the jury dd Hbit,sfp. We think we
Can pledge all the newspaper Offices In the CITY tn
send In their exchange papers TO the jury room, IL
requested by proper authority to do so. That
would be the most effective way OF supplying the
Information that Guiteau thinks they ought to
have.