Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-27
ACCUSED OF LIBEL
Calvin Chase on Trial on a Criminal
Charge.
ALLEGED LIBELS ON Mr.. TAYLOR
The Recorder Of Deeds Appears on
the Witness Stand.
G E ING A JU r Y
ALLEGED LIBEIS ON Mr.. TAYLOR
G E 7 T IN Ct A j q r Y

Every seat was occupied and many were
standing in Criminal Court No. 1 when the
case of VIM! Calvin Chase, charged with
criminally libeling Mr.. c. H. j. Taylor Of
Kansas, appointed by the President Of the
United States as recorder of deeds for the
District of Columbia, was called this morn
ing. AS on yesterday. about nine-tenths of
the spectators were colored Mr.. Taylor
was early on hand. as was the defendant
and his counsel, Messrs. John M. Lang
ston, James H. Smith and Thomas L.
Jones. District Attorney Blrney and Mr..
Tracy L. Jeffords. his assistant, represent
ed the government.
1t was nearly IL o'clock when the case
was taken up, and both sides stating that
they were ready the work Of selecting the
jury was commenced. After several men,
bers of the regular panel had answered
that they had formed no opinion and had
no bias against either party. Mr.. II. A.
Cobaugh stated that he had a political
bias against Mr.. Taylor. but believed he
could give an impartial verdict. Twelve
qualified men were soon seated In the box,
when the defense excused Chas. H. Peters.
cclored, who had stated that he knew both
parties John A. Gray. jr.. colored. and
Alexander Paul were then excused by the
defense. when the government excused Mr..
Cobaugh.
the defense. and they also excused Fred
erick Robey. Harvey Knott was the sixth
man excused by them. Mr.. Birney then
stated that he was satisfied with the twelve
men in the box, but Daniel F. Lynch was
challenged by the defense. Whereupon
both sides stated that the jury was satis-
factory to them, and F'redk. G. Atkinson,
Thos. Luxen, ]. A. Baxter. Clemons West
Gyo ENyv1 "A r
Snider Noel. Henry A. Keefer, Frank A.
Butts, Fredk. Boettcher jr.. Joseph Ber-
trand and Chas. w. Lesh were sworn to
try the case-all of them being white men.
The Case Opened.
The jury sworn. the court, at the re-
quest of the district attorney, directed that
the witnesses on both sides retire from the
court room until called to the stand. This
order had the effect of nearly depopulating
the court room, but the crowd at the
doors quickly filled the room again, and
Mr.. Birney opened the case on behalf of
the prosecution. He explained the nature
of the charge. and stated that the defend
ant and Mr.. Taylor had been friends up to
several months ago, but that they had a
falling out. and the defendant had then
proceeded to attack Mr.. Taylor In a most
vindictive and offensive manner, calculated
to seriously injure Mr.. Taylor in the es-
timation of the public. He did not know
Chat the defense would be, but the de-
fendant could only say in defense that the
articles printed in his paper, the Bee. were
true and that he had printed them simply
for the good of the public.
First Witness.
The defense reserved their opening, and
Mr.. Birney called as his first witness P. H.
White, colored. He stated that he was the
publisher Of the Washington Globe. January
last he purchased a copy Of the Bee. con-
tanning an article entitled "Our Defense"
He purchased it for Mr.. Taylor. and the de-
fendant laughingly said: Next he Gay
lori will want 1900
On cross-examination the witness was
asked what his relations with Taylor were.
He replied that he was a friend of his, but
denied that he ever told Laura M. Benson
that solely upon his (White's) recommenda-
ton Taylor would give her employment.
The witness admitted, however. that about
five years ago he was convicted of larceny
in the Police Court. The defense was not
allowed to show that the witness had been
convicted in the same for profanity and for
failing to pay a hackman.
The Article.
Detective Jos. Carter testified to serving
the warrant on the defendant, when the
latter acknowledged being responsible for
the alleged Hbelous article. The witness
gave the boundary Of the locality known as
1.-The Division explaining that it was a
disreputable section of the city, having
that reputation since the war. An extra
police force was employed there, and 1t
was subject to extra police regulations.
The locality enjoyed a national reputation.
Mr.. Birney the read the alleged ibelous
article, published in the Bee on the 9Th of
last month. The article, entitled Our De-
fense." accused Mr.. Taylor of immortality.
of bartering his appointments and Of In
sulting females. In the same issue Mr..
Taylor was referred to as "a cowardly
wind porpoise, "a misftt man from Kan
sas." and as "a wind bag" Those editor
ials Mr.. Birney read, he explained, to show
malice on the part Of the defendant.
Mr.. Birney also read, against the objec-
ton of the defense, an extract from the
Bee Of October 20. 1894. in which it was
stated that the Bee had received nothing
from Mr.. Taylor, and asking If the Ameri-
can could say as much. and extracts from
the issues Of November II and "a last, saying
that the Bee was the friend of Mr.. Taylor.
said that Mr.. Taylor could not escape by
bluffing, and that he was Of such a char
acter that no one would introduce him to
his family. In the issue of the following
week the recorder was referred to as one
of a lot of diseased cattle, from whom the
President would make no more selections
for office. On the 18th he was referred to
as a public monster, holding over women
lash, and it was claimed that his re-
moval would be public blessing.
The Recorder TesttGes.
Having concluded the reading of the ex-
tracts, Mr.. Birney called Mr.. Taylor to the
witress stand. He stated that he had
known the defendant since October, 1856.
From the date of his nomination as record
er until July last the defendant was friend
ly. From then until September 80 Chase
held a dual feeling for him, friendly and
offensive From September until December
he was friendly, and from then he had been
opposed to him. In September he appoint
ed female at ChsA5e's request or recon-
mendation. InSDecember witness removed
her and another. He was, of course, the
c. H. j. Taylor referred to in the Bee, for
Chase had so told him.
On cross-examination Mr.. Taylor said he
reached this city from Kansas City in
February, 1893. He remained here until
June, and returned again in August While
witness was seeking appointment as re-
corder the Bee was friendly, advocating
his appointment.
Mr.. Langston asked what, If any, under
standing about appointments in the office
they made at that time. None, replied Mr..
Taylor, until the latter's confirmation. In
July last Chase asked for the appointment
of a woman as index clerk. The request
was denied. when Chase became unfriend-
f1,~ ,bar Ia OF has