New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-12
A SUIT FOR DAMAGES BEGUN HERE


"A SUIT FOR DAMAGES BEGUN HERE
RUSSELL B. HARRISON GIVES BAIL IN THE
SUPREME COURT IN THE ACTION WHICH
EX-GOVERNOR CROSBY, RESIDENT
or WASHINGTON, HAS BROUGHT
AGAINST HIM.
Russell B. Harrison, son Of the PRESIDENT was ar
r,sted Yesterday by Deputy 6herffs Martin ana NC
Couiral at The Judgs' Office In tho suit for hoei
brought against him by Ex-Governor Crospy, Oh Won
tana The warrant was issued by Judge Beach, Of
the Supreme Court. Mr. Harrison had been informed
an "wednesday By Mr. Crosby's lawyer, De Lsncey
Nioe that the papers would be served yesterday ana
bs cams from Washington 10 acknowledge the service
of them Bail In s. 900 was Immediately nirnishoo py
Stephen p. Elbns, Vice-president Rice Oh tne farA
Bank, and W, ]. Arkell Mr.. Harrisons counsei thus
far have been Messrs. sweetser and LAmoreaux,
but last evening he retained w. BourAe |oo"a q" "
assist In his defence
This suit which is for 100000 damages, has been
threatened for some time, but the friends OF each
side seemed 10 think that settlement wouio DC
effected before the affair reached the courts. IL
based upon an article which appeared In Tine MOI
tana Live Stock Journal Of which company MI
Harrison is president, in April, 1887, rehecung upon
Mr. Crosbys character, and repeating some washington
gossip to the effect that certain family jewels belonging
to a wealthy Congressman had been stolen and were
found afterward In the possession OF certain eA'
Consul Of the Government and an ex-Territoriai
Governor. This article was copied from " The Bunaio
Commercial which has since made reraction' ~
was made the subject Of comment In The Jonrnar
and for this comment, as we'll the original article
the plaintiff seeks to hold Mr. Harrison personally
responsible He does not him president OF" The
Journal Company, but the Individual Who In tho
words of tho complaint, caused the alleged libellons
words 10 DO arranged for publication printed, ana
the paper circulated In this county, as well as else
wherc This Dir. Harrison emphatically Denies de
INSERTS that he knew nothing about the article ana
"a president Of "The Journal Company IS willing
N make retraction such as tho Buffalo paper made
bat nothing more.
A STATEMENT FROM MR.. HARRIsoNs LAWYER.
William A. sweetser, Mr.. Harrison's lawyer, made
tho following statement yesterday
aMr Russell Harrison reached this city from wash
ington on an early train this morning. He icarnea
late last night that his presence in New-York was de-
sired at the Of j. Schuyler Crosby for shegeq
libel against him, published in The Montana Live
Stock Journals in 1887. At once upon learning
this and at great personal Inconvenience TO himself,
he came TO this city, quito willing to allow Mr Crosby
to select his own tribunal and jurisdiction In which
10 obtain an absolute vindcation Of himself or estao
lish the truth OF the matter published.
"The public may wish To know why this action was
not brought until so long after the publication OF the
alleged defamatory matter. and when brought why u
was not begun In Montana where the paper
containing tho alleged libel was and Is published and
circulated in Washington who're Mr. Crosby resides
most OF his time. Now that the action has been
begun In Justice TO the parties Interested, all
the facts relating 10 this controversy must he given
publicity however unfortunate to individual Interests
"The duty OF Mr. Harrison Is manifest, and no Is
NOE the person 10 shrink from It's performance Mr.
Harrison. as tho president OF the company owning
A. Aaz hoo tad nE
person against whom to institute these proceedings
and recover damages The sum sought to be recovered
Is 100000 Is IL not little strange that so small
sum IS ashodi The considerable delay in bringing
the action and then the insttutng OF the suit In
locality where the defamatory matter would never
have been known had II not been brought to public
notice by Mr.. Crosby himself. arc matters
which will doubtless DO fully explained
in the trial Mr.. Harrison disclains all
liability or responsibility IN this matter, lbs only con-
nccton with II being that Of president OF tho company
owning the paper that mado the publication. The
usual order Of arrest incident 10 such an action was
granted. and Mr. Harrison held 10 bail IN the sum OF
5000 This bail was at once given and he was forth
win released. He leaves for Washington on his way
to Montana tonight. Mr. Harrison personally Is not
concerned as to tho result VI ths action The journal
IN which was published the alleged defamatory article
Il quitc able and will defend this action
at has been charged by Mr. Crosby that Mr.. Har-
son caused tho libel IN question 20 be published Os
OF personal hatred or vindctiyeness toward him. In
point Of fact Mr.. Crosby has rot been unfavorabiy
mentioned, only with this exception. IN Tho Live
stock Journal since tho ffst day Of It's publcauon.
CHARGES MADE BY Mr. cRosBYs COUNSEL
The papers in the case were served about O'CLOCK
In the afternoon. Shortly aferward Mr.. Niooll, In
behalf OF his client made an elaborate statement OF
the plaintiffs side Of the case IN which he charged
that the statement made OF tho matter by Mr.. Har
son was false and misleading In its pervorsion OF
facts Mr. Niooll declared that he was prepared to
show that the publication Of the alleged libel was Al
Mr. Harrson's "direct and personal instance and by
his personal direction IL was published, he con
tInued because OF tho III will borne BY Mr. Harrison
against Mr. Crosby growing out of political differences
i r Harrison between %ss United States Asssyop
a Helene and Mr.; Crosby Wv "" time FIJI 81
tho original publication In the Buffalo paper SAID
Mr. Nicoi Russell D. Harrison was president as f,S he
s ssi publication The Journs not only copied ho
Il most VIE cowarily and scurrlous attack upon
Governor crosby's official and personal character,
T9s hin Ss as Ne sTs The c
script of this article as published II In 4ss hona
lawyer, and his personal and political friend, We
have moreover the written statement o. leslie sui;
fG Harrison i1 was ascy Responsible for the
publication Mr.. sulgrovos statement was given in
iSo paper % publish the article Mr Nicoi Also
furnished copy of a letter sont by his client TO Mr..
Harrison on March 10, calling for personal apology
IN writing, and a retracton In the paper over Mr..
Hurson's own signature, all Of which the defendant
declined to grant
WHAT Mr.. HARRISON SAYS.
Whom Mr. Harrison heard tho statements made
about him by Mr.. Crosby's legal representative
be laughed heartily, and remarked that tho
allegations were simply too ridiculous to merit COM
ment Tho affair now In court and he was
perfectly willing 10 try it there.
NER RIFLES ADOPTED At HARYARD.