Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-21
CHARGE Of CRIMINAL IIREl.
The Case Of Editor Hudson. Of ssThe
Capital

JUDGE sSkLL HANS TESTIMONY IN TIE POLICE
COURT, AND sUsPENDs JUDGMENT PoR A wEEK-A
QUESTION or JURISDICTION.
This morning, in the Police Court. Assistant
District Attorney Shepperd called for trial the
case of Mr.. Edmund Hudson, editor OF the C,pital
charged by sergeant-Major Charles C. NJ. Lpffier.
OF the washington Light Infantry. with criminal
hoei. as heretofore published In The STAR. Mr..
Thomas +. Miller appeared for the defendant and
pleaded mot guilty" The information charges
that the defendant published on the 18th instant,
the following article:
Military Mfx.Up.
WHY sERGKAST-MAJoR LoEPPLgR REsrsNED-A CASE
THAT PEkPLExEs THE LIGHT INFANTRY CORPS.
The domestic relations of Serzt.-Maj. Loefer and
MS VIE at present furnish the members of the Light
Infantry most toothsone bit of gossip As in all
such cases the Stories Of course far the details
are concerned are somewhat contradictory. However.
the statements seem TO regarding all the
tial features Of the unfortunate affair. Maj Loeer
gurpose to institute divorce proceedings Mrs Loef-
and had 90 much ATTENTION. shown ~ her that se
ooIn was she alone for an evening.
not xve up her many friends but much to the annoy
ance Of her prospective husband continued to receive
10 Sc os .sa
,upcture it would have nothing than proper
70 have been coniented with the society Of her hus
Ss
bone to NEE, several Of the gentlemen friend, Of
patience of job he bore his wfe's neglect but after
stood that he made discoveries that would have de-
,royed The taith Of much more trusting person than
wife hsshy and even refused to provide for her main
1T said that one evening when he returned to his
home for the night be severely chstsed Mrs Lceier.
who pfeVsed 10 uP nen ep to dess
administering further punishment. Whether this be
have endesvore force Ipfier out Of the corps
the runners concerning himself and being of
efforts made to him. promptly rendered his resig
as Their reaso S ao be-
hy the loss Of its present T. The bulk Of
friends that he has had sufficient TO abandon
cure an absolute divorce from her"
The second count OF the information charges
the publication OF the same article, and also
charges the publication TO have been made ma
liciouSIy and with the intention OF villfytug and
defsning Mrs. Martha Loeffler, while the first
count charges the same in reference to Mr..
Loerlier.
THE TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Leonard Wade, OF the Capital, was called to
prove that Mr.. Hudson was editor OF the paper.
but counsel admitted that fact.
Mr.. Alison NaylOr testified that he was a men,
Der OF the Washington Light Infantry Corps, and
knew that Mr. LGffier was sergeant major OF the
corps. The latter, he said, rendered hts resigna-
ton some time ago. but IL was not accepted Wit
ness read the article in the paper but had never
before heard the matter discussed.
Detective Garter Testified TO having read the
article charged IN the capital last sunday.
Mr.. LOef1ier was next sworn. He testified that
he had read The article charged In the Information.
Witness was asked II he had ever struck his wife
and ne answered II did not sir; never had Occa-
sion TO do so, and If had there would have been
better course 10 pursue
at is said here" said Mr. Shepperd ssthat YOU
struck your wife and her screams attracted the
attention OF a member or Congress- Is that Irue?"
That's malignant lie sir" answered the wit
ness.
On cross-examination witness said he had heard
ruinOrs among members OF the corps concerning
himself, and said that II was none Of their bust
hess Witness rendered his resignation, not be-
cause OF any domestic troubles, but it was simply
personal matter. This closed the testimony for
the prosecution.
ACQUISITION OF JURISDICTION.
Mr.. Miller said that he did not propose tn offer
any testimony. He had intended to interpose a
plea 10 the jurisdiction because he did believe
that this court had the power TO try such case,
and that question was now pending In the Su-
preme Court in the Marshall case. He also in
tended TO offer no evidence In order that the de-
PENDANT might further investigate the facts.
The judge sad that inasmuch as the jurfsdic-
ton OF this court Is now pending in the Supreme
Court he thought he would let the matter stand
for a few days, in order that he might know
whether the Judgment OF this court will be efec-
tual or not, adding: 'This is not class OF cases
that care 20 try. / have tried number OF libel
vicfed."
Mr.. Shepperd thought that the case should be
disposed Of as he had been informed that the de-
cSloa OF the supreme Court would not be given Tor
some time, and Mr.. LGfrier desired conclusion.
JUDGMENT SUSPENDED FOR WEEK.
The Judge said that the defendant had no right
to publish the article, and was clearly guilty OF
the ofenSe charged He thought he would impose
a fine or $780,
Mr.. shepherd called the courts attention to the
fact that there were two counts to the Informal
ton, and minated that the fine was too small
The judge said that under the circumstances he
would not dispose OF the case to-day, and would