The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-02
A Judgment for S787,50O in
the Water Suit.
The VERDICT WAS EXPECTED.
But 1t Was Not Thought the Damages
Would Be So High.
a Triumph for the Reform Element,
aud Especially for Judge Wicker
sham, Against Whom the BoodIer.
Have Waged Bitter and Persistent
Warfare.

Tacoma. Jan. 1.-Special-The city Of Ia
coma begins the year Of grace 1895 with a
Judgment against the Tacoma Light and
Water Company for damages BY fraud in
tae sale OF the water and light plants of
st@,ov. A verdict awarding a Judgment
70 tas city ia the sum named was reached
py the uTy at O'Clock this morning
At 10 o'clock this morning Judge Pritch-
ara mounted the bench and the jury was
brought IN by the court bailms Ii had
become nolsed about that the jury had
reached an agreement during the night and
the room Was nearly filled with spectators.
Foreman Henry Beckett OF Orting, reply
ing TO the usual question. said the jury
had agreed. and presented the verdict to
the court Judge Pritchard glanced over
the document and then read il alond the
spectators awaiting the reading with deep
interest Judge Crowley. for the defense,
asked that the jury be polIed, and every
juror said the verdict was his.
City Attorney James Wickersham. who,
with Attorney Ben Sheeks, conducted .he
case for the city, came into the room Just
after the jury was polled. and was received
with "A burst Of applause, which was
checked by the balih. 4 hearty hand
shaking followed. and Messrs. Wicker
sham aad Sheeks, after thanking the
Jurors and grasping their hands were con-
graduated by the attorneys and city Of
Before court adjourned Judge Pritcbard
addressed the jury. thanking them for the
care and attention they had given the
case and eompl.mentiEg them on their
conduct throughout the long trial. He
wished them all happy new year. The
jury IN turn presented paper expressing
the appreciation felt at the kind treat
ment they had received from BaAlffs Bel
linger and Huffer. Mr.. Wfckersham then
invited the jury 10 dinner with him. This
was accepted, and at / o'clock the jurors
Mayor Orr, Mr.. Wickersham and At
torney Sheeks enjoyed a feast at Chill
bergs S restaurant.
The jury consisted of Nick Doring,
Charles D. Beach. John Holder. A w.
Newbaur, ]. ID. Gilham. a. W. Stewart.
James Moore, Henry Beckett. William
Lane. Joseph Charters, George W. How
ard and William Harmon.
The verdict was received throughout the
city with joyful approval Many express
s.ons of surprise at the amount Of dam
ages awarded were heard 1t was con-
ceded yesterday tha. the jury would lind
for the city, and estimates ran from $IJ0-
O09 10 S5G.0JO Few believed the jury
would give the city more than $4,000. The
successful outcome OF the city's suit Is a
great victory for City Attorney Wicker
sham. whose labors in the preparation OF
the case and in the long trial have been
very burdensome. Naturally. he feels juhi-
liant. and when seen at his residence on
South & street this morning expressed his
sense of thankflaness at the result. The
strain on the city attorney has made him
~. and his face shows It's effects. There
was an immense amount of detail work
involved in collecting and arranging the
evidence, and MIR. Wickersham's conduct
Of the case was generally praised by the
attorneys who have watched the trial. and
who say he had il well in hand. SIR. Wick
ersham's friends are enthusiastic in their
rejoicing and say the cjty's victory Is a
complete vindication Of the city attorneys
course in his office, and is a substantial in
dorsement Of Mayor Orr's administration.
The city attorney has reason 70 feel Joy
full over the verdict awarded the city.
Since he began the suit, over a year ago.
his pathway has been beset with ohsta-
cles. Four times his complaint suffered
from motions 10 strike. ia which most OF
the allegations were elm mated The fourth
amended complaint was allowed 10 stand.
Curiousiy enough. no demurrer was filed
by the company. and the record contains
all the issues raised in the last complaint.
Soon after the suit was filed pressure
vas brought 10 bear on the mayor. council
and city attorney 10 have it withdrawn or
abandoned Failing in this. an effort was
made 10 Dust Judge NickerSham from Of
fee and all manner Of agencies We're used
on the new council that organized last
spring The fight over the water front
did not help the city attorneys chances
for confirmation. and when the council
tallo.ed on his appointment only four ont
of sixteen voted for him Mayor orr sent
his name in twice. hUl II was reiectedeach
time and Two suits were brought in the su-
periOr court 20 have the office declared
vacant These have been unsuccessful as
Set. ana have been appealed TO the state
supreme court.
Several councilmcn have pcrsistautly
fought tho stI't from the p. Giau NJ. - one
time. IL Is understood. the company Of
fsr,d o. nav both tha REney damage
claims amounting to NAe". II the city's
sun was Withdrawn. The council hold an
executive session and m effort was made
n have fhe proposition accepted Judge
Wlekerst8m k.rked vigarously. however.
md was ha ked up hy Mayor orr. The
offer was rejected