Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-08-02

found, upon their oatlis. under the testimony
and the law, that the Pilot Publishing Co.
had by its assault upon Mr.. Massey, commit
ted deliberate libel.
| 1t was found that Mr.. Il. E. Byrd and Mr..
Sam w. Small committed, equally with the
| Pilot, this libel. That the charge of bribery
was false. That.nothing charged in respect
| to the book contracts between the State of Vir-
ginia and the American Book Co., was true.
That this was libel out of the whole cloth
and. for Publishing it punitive damages to the
extent of fifteen hundred dollars we're award
ed Mr.. Massey, with one hundred additional
making $1,000. The fact is that the charge of
burden of the assault, and the great moral
issue upon which the newspaper tried to justi-
fly the attack. disappeared early in the action
and was abandoned. The rest of the contest
was waged by the defense in final effort to
mitigate damages, and to do this they sum-
mOned from the most remote portions of the
State every old political and personal antago-
mist they could find who was willing to speak
ill of Mr.. Massey that they might break the
force of their failure to prove their charges of
corruption.
There never was more singing rebuke ad-
lninistered to public journal than is admin
istered in this verdict to the Pilot for its
effort to profit by sensational publication
founded on falseh0Ad, and the incidental
destruction of an old and distinguished man
in high official life.
This is monumental warming to those who
would follow in the path of such enterprises.
This declaration of twelve men of Norfolk
| 10 -,
the most emphatic manner this vicious class
of journalism. The verdict has vindicated
the State School authorities from the charge
of corrupt conduct OF neglect of duty it has
cleared the American Book Co., from any sus-
picion of unfair or extortionate dealing, and
it has delivered to the libellers sentence
which they will wear to their shame Justly for
all time.
From the Norfolk Virginian.]
The verdict has been rendered in the great
Massey Pilot suit. To Mr.. Massey and to
the general public. expectation, it is dis
appointing. The Jury that heard the case
and gave the verdict was iIreproach.
able by reason of the character of the men
who composed it. aud no matter how disap'
pointing their conclusion may be, it must be
COnSlOerou, LIldt IL was lCbuAt VI IhOii WI
scicntious convictions.
The verdict unquestionably acquits Mr.
Massey and the American Book Co., of the
charges that were uttered through the columns
of the Eliot as to fraud and bribery In the
matter of the contract of the book company
with the State, to supply the children OF the
Commonwealth with books authorized to be
used in its public schools by the State Board Of
Education As to the injury to MI. Massey's
character, by the Pilots publication OF the
charges, the jury's conclusion would lead tt
the opinion that they did not consider the
damage very serious.
[From the Norfolk Pilot.]
The victory of The Pilot is acknowledged
! We feel no animosity toward Mr.. Massey
and never have, but 800 verdict as actua
: damages to a character valued, few days
ago, at $5O, OOO-to man occupying the higf
official position, and the high station, that
Mr.. Massey occupies with the ring Democ
racy of Virginia, such a verdict at the hands
of such jury is poor yindication for thu
| man who is now, for the last time, at tn
: head Of the free school system Of our State.
THE PILOT NEWSPAPER MAKES AN ASSIGN
MENT.
On the Monday following the verdict. tn,
Pilot newspaper made an assignment with )
r. Heath, Jr. trustee. Its liabilities put il
the schedule for preferred creditors aggregate
$l4, $50 80, and its assets are those portions
Its outfit which have been fully paid for. IN
. paper is to be continued by W. W. Gibbs ant
j. E. Pugh until other arrangements az
, made. 1t is said new company will b
> formed to publish the newspaper. Mr.. Mas
sey's claim for his 900 will come in will
the unpreferred creditors.