National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-19
ON TRIAL FOR LIBEL.
Editor Chase and His Statements Re-
gardiDg Miss Spear Being Investi-


Editor Chase and His Statements Re-
garding Miss Spear Being Investi-
gated.
VIM. Calvin Chase, editor Of the Bee, was
placed on trial in the criminal court yester-
dav before Justice Macarthur TO answer the
charge of libel by publishing in the Wash
iDgton Bee on Sept. 10 and Oct. IL 1885,
articles rejecting upon the reputation Of
Jennie Spear, teacher in the public schools
OF the county.
Assistant District Attorney Taggart ap-
peared for the prosecution and Col. VIM. A.
Cook and +. NJ. Hewlett for the defense,
The first article complained Of plrports to
be a letter from "Louise to Clara,n in
which "Miss j. 81 Is intmated to be OF
doubtful reputation, and the trustees had
been imposed upon in making her appoint
ment. In the second reflections are made on
Miss Norris and Miss Spear, and Il Is further
asserted that when persons of their repu.
tation are appointed teachers there is little
chance for respectable women to obtain
situations.
The counsel for the defendant admitted
the publication OF the articles in question.
VIM. Q. Chase, the defendant, testified
that the "Clara-Louise letters were writ
ten by Geo. A. Arnold and st. Clair A.
Smith, and the witness at the time did not
think that they contained libelous state
ments. At the time OF the appointment Of
Miss Spears considerable objection had
been made, and Edward Dickson and an
other person called on the witness aud said
such appointments should not be made.
Mr.. Black came to his Office in the inter
est Of Miss Spears, and he promised nothing
further should appear In the paper against
her. All that he had written was for the best
interests OF the public. schools and to cor
rect the immoralities existing in the schools.
II was George A. Arnold who wrote as
"Clara." and Mr.. Smith as "Loulse.n
On cross.examinaton the witness admit.
knew nothing rejecting upon the good char
acter and reputation of Miss Spears, but
Edmund Dickson Informed him that Miss
Spears father informed him that she had
been, made pregnant by man named
Charlton.
Mr.. George II. Williams had informed
him that after Miss Spears's child was born
1t was brought to his house and cared for,
and others had told him of seeing Miss
Asbury Church, afterward told him that
there was no truth In the charges against
Miss Spears. He said that he Ind never
made any editorial reference to these let
tiers, and was responsible for all the edi-
torials.
Mr.. Taggart produced one OF the papers
in question and read an editorial comment
ing harshly on the very subject, and asked
whether that was written by the witness.
Eyes, but i am not indicted for that"
he replied
Marcalena s. Williams testified that her
mother attended Miss Spears as nurse, and
when the child was born brought II home
to her house, as Miss Spears's mother did not
want the scandal to get out in society.
On cross-examination she said this oc-
Cured five or six years ago. She was not
personally acquainted with Miss Spears,
and all she knew was through what her
| mother had said.
Mrs. Minerva Beckett first saw Miss
| Spearsin bed two or three days after the child
was born, and afterward washed clothing
for both Of them. The witness mother.in.
law brought the child to her house and said
1t belonged to Miss Spears. The prose
| cutting witness was then brought forward
The witness was positive that she was the
| person she had seen In bed
Richard I. Williams knew Miss Spears
only by sight. There was child brought
to his house, and his wife told him that II
belonged to Miss Spears.
Edward Dickson said that he met Chase
| In front of his Office last April, and spoke
OF the appointment Of Miss Spears, and the
witness said he thought Miss Thornton
| most eleglDle Tor the place. Inc converse
tion progressed, and witness related how
Chase worked out Of him story that Mar
shall, the father Of Jennie Spears, had tolt
him, and which the witness supposed re
ferred to Miss Spears. The witness hat
said nothing against her being teacher
except he thought the other young lady
being Normal school graduate, was en-
titled to the place. He denied ever havin!
told Chase that Miss Spears had been Sc
duced by a man named Charlton, and neve
saw Miss Spears I'm delicate state.
Il. p. Lyvers testified that Chase told hin
that there was going to be criticism In tn,
paper on the appointment of Miss Spears
and he afterwards promised to suppress 1t
| In rebuttal the government called Mis-
Spears, who pronounced the testimony
false that she had ever given birth to
child, and 1t had been taken to the hous,
of Mrs. Williams, or that her mother, Mrs
Marshall, had ever taken to that house
child belonging to the witness. She denied
ever having improper relations with Charl
ton at any time, or with any man in TIL
years 1SSl-'2-'3 or q.
Mrs. Amelia Bennett said that Mis-
Spears had been living with her since tn
year 1889, and during that time she did no
| give birth to child.
| The QaEa was adjourned until to-day.