The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-23
THE COLERIDGE LIBEL SUIT.
The Jury Brings in Verdict Awarding
Adams Three Thousand Pounds,
But the Judge Declares the Finding Illegal,
and Gives Judgment in Favor of Cole
ridge-Ge General Foreign News.
THE ADAMs-CoLER1DGE SUIT.
A Verdict for Adams, Which Is Promptly
Overruled by the Judge.

Verdict for Adams, Which Is Promptly
overruled by the Judge.
New YORK, Nov 22.-The Suns special ca
ble referring to the Coleridge libel suit, says:
Lord Chief justice Coleridge is placed in a
a most unenviable position before the public by
Mr. Adamss suit Adams seems to be sincere
and determined in his action, aud has thus far
managed to secure large share of the public
sympathy. During the proceedings he endeav-
ored to make strong point morally, against
the Colerdges-both father and SON. He showed
that the Lord Chief Justices daughter was
perfectly aware that he poor man, com
PEELED to make his own way in the world. She
had not been made victim of any deception in
TINS respect, and she entered into.the engagement
with full appreciation of the change in her cir
cumstances which the union would entail, and
agreed to the marriage from motives of the
purest and highest affection. When she made
her family acquainted with her Intention her
father, Adams alleged, became furious, and
treated her with meanness and barbarity.
When he found that his cruelty served but to
increase her determination, he instigated his
son Bernard to engage in the effort to poison
her mind against her betrothed Bernards eff
forts toward this end eliminated in his compost
tlon of the letter to his sister which
forms forms the basis of the action. In
said that Miss Coleridge was mot
shaken in her affection by her brothers efforts,
and that the letter served only to excite her in
dignation When her father found out that she
had delivered the letter to Adams, he disnherit-
ed her and turned her out from the parental
roof. Mr.. Adams further showed that Miss
Colerldge adhered to her engagement that she
warmly supported him in his present action
against her brother.
Towards the Lord Chief Justice himself
Adams was very bitter He described him as
judge who would move heaven and earth to
frustrate justice, when it adversely affected
himself or his interests
bernard COlaridOa chOIVc to ol,o
a vigorous resistance. His plea in defense is
that the letter. being a private communication
from one memb of family to another-from
brother to sister warning her of her danger
must be considered privileged communica-
ton, and, therefore, not actionable Adams
contends that the law concerning privileged
communications must be confined in its protec.
ton to only such communications as those, for
instance which pass between lawyers and their
clients, and can not be extended to cover mali
cious and intended injuries
$50 far the rulings Of the Judge have indi-
Gated ne appears inclined to support the plea
raised by the defense. Lord Chief Justice Cole
ridge has been subpenaed to appear as a witness
on Monday next, to which date the hearing was
adjourned. Miss Mildred Mary Coleridge, the
heroine of the case, has also consented to appear
on the witness stand"
London telegram, dated the 22d, says;
THE action for libel brought by F. NJ Adams
barrister, against Bernard Coeridge, was re-
sumed to-day. Adams continued his opening re-
marks. He said ne had much affection for Miss
Coleridge, but he had not thought of marrying
her
"Attorney-general James submitted that the
plaintiff had no and must be non-suited
THE judge ruled that Bernards letter was
priviledged communication, and Adams in or
der to maintain his case, must prove express
malice or dishonesty on the part of Bernard He
decided to leave the case to the jury, reserving
to himself, however the right to decide the
action on point of law, in case the verdict was
not warranted by the evidence
Adams continued his statements and said he
and Miss Colerdge were now resolved to marry,
THE submitted to the jury, who
after some deliberation, brought in a verdict for
the plaintiff for f3, 900. The judge overruled
the verdict and gave verdict for Coleridge,
with costs