The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-06-27
THE hASSEY-P|LOT SUIT.
Defendants Heard. What They Ex-
pect to Prove.
Judge Heath Makes the Opening
Speech For The Defence. He
Was Followed 10y Mr.. Wise.
Judge Nicely Closed. The
Evidence To-day.

DAY, qua lUr uNC hUu uuli uOuis WIG
building was packed with an audieuce
composed of the most prominent citi
zens OF the community. Those who
arrived early secured seats, the tardy
ones had to be content with standing.
Those who could not get inside either
hung on to the window stills or lounged
about the halls III hearing OF the
speakers.
MIR. A, L. Thorn, of counsel for the
plaintiff, i'll " dnshing ana bravo speech
bristling with defiance, presented on
the previous day the case for his client,
telling The jury exactly what he c1
pected to prove and challenging Mir.
Massey's acousers to prove that lie wns
bride taker aud generally dishonest.
Mr.. Thom's speech WAS well received
by the audience and they were curious
to know In what manner the other side
would meet the issue, hence the large
attendance.
Tho Judge was upon the bench Mt
exactly 1880. but Juryman league was
few minutes late.
AS soon us the jury were in their
places Judge Heath. who was looking
in perfect health, arose aud said
THE DEFENSE,
Judge Heath in opening the cose for
the defense said the practice has long
prevailed In the courts for counsel TO
present to the jury the facts which
they expect to prove.
Ii falls to my lot to present in nd.
vance of the evidence the facts which
we expect to prove. This is useful az
giving an outline of the issue and ]
shall tell You the facts upon which we
rely for defense III the case. II he
rteI n mn
because Of the action of the council
for plaintiff,
What spectacle was presented to
the jury. A high official of the State
comes here and asks IL mouey con-
elderatlon Tor damages, to proclaim to
this court thut'he had avoided the pay.
mont OF Just judgement which n
court of this State SAID he should pay.
The Superintendent of Education says
he Ia purer than the judge who ren.
dered 1t and has avoided III all manner
OF ways the payment of that Just
claim rendered by n just Judge.
christian gentleman said to ono of
the Judges of the Court of Appeals
that while MIR. Massey enjoyed all the
Iasoally of Insolvency he lived on the
fat of the land. Objection by MIR.
Nicely aud asked If he would prove it.
OF MIR. Alexander is here.
The directors were nrrnignea before
yon as very ambitious men, who had
established paper aad imported IA
man to abuse the people. This state.
ment was made ut the opening of his
tAlr. Ihoms) speech and | must toxic
notice OF 1t.
Judge Heath then road the list of
directors aud said they were men of
the highest character and not one Of
them has sought to avoid the payment
OF any honest obligation. In the
words OF the eloquent gentlemen. they
have not enjoyed the rascally immupi.
ties OF insolvency while living on the
fat oil the land. He said they had gone
into this enterprise us other business
men, and 1t Is contended by the coun.
Bel who presented the case for tho
other size that they should have
stopped the publication
But they have plead not guilty. an
why, because they are not guilty. They
were never expected to supervise the
columns oil the paper. is it to be con.
sldetea mat the directors OF a paper are
60 be called together TO decide what shall
go into the columns. 1t is said that
Small was imported. / don't know any.
thing abont that. but lie was here as
the editor OF the paper and he was Sc
iected because he was good writer,
had been an editor OF the Atlanta Con.
sfitulon. They had faith In HIM and
never believed that he would publish IL
libel.
TRIBUTE TO DE. RUFNRR.
Mr. Heath then turned his attention
to.the record of the schools of the State
paying glowing tribute to D.s, Ruff.
her and Buchanan, at the same time
saying he knew nothing OF MIR. Farr ex.
cept that he was Superintendent of
Fnoiic lnstrnction. He said against
none OF these men had there been the
slightest suspicion. He declared that
the schools OF the State are Absolutely
IN the bands OF and under the control
o! the Superintendent and should be
One OF the duties of the School
Board OF the State, the Board of Edn.
cation, was to select the school books
10 De sold to the public school children
OF the State. Mr.. Womack Is the
nephew of Mr.. Parish. of Albemarle
who was close political friend OF MIR.
massey. lie enid that SO close were
these gentlemen to Mr.. Massey that
Womack did not hesitate TO saw that
he owned j. E. Massey. When the
board were abont to meet in Richmond
Womeck was early upon the ground,
we will show that the American
Book Company was in tho habit of