The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-28
SOME LIVELY TILTS
Were INDUCED in by Counsel in
Slander Case.
Counsel In the suit Freely Criticised
Each Other.

The closing arguments In the noted
slander suit of the New York piano
makers, strich & Zeioler, against piano
dealer Albert Steinert were made by
counsel in Judge wilbur's court this
morning. The latter began his charge
to the jury shortly after o'clock this
afternoon.
The scene in the court room during
the argument, especially during that OF
Mr.. Gardner was one which was not
lacking in excitement or interest. Mr.
Miller made a very earnest address to the
jury urging that no damage was proven
to have resulted from the use of any
words alleged to have teen used concern
ing the plaintifis and their piano. I'm bis
denunciation of the plaintiffs for bring
ing the suit. as be classed il, one CT the
strar eest slsnder suits he had ever heard
OF, Mr.. Miller became very warm in his
rhetoric and applied the term 'scoun-
dreP' TO Mr.. Wiecmsn member of the
plaintiff firm and the chief witness for
b plaintiffs in the suit.
eddge Wilbur told counsel the epith
was uncalled for and Undes ervsd. Mr..
Miller spoke about one hour and a half.
Mr.. Gardner began the closing argu-
ments for the plaintiff by very sharply
criticising portion OF the remarks of
counsel for the defendant. He had not
gone fsr when Mr.. Miller objected and
during the time Mr.. Gardner was talking
there were more Interruptions than is
usual by counsel on the other side of the
case. The counsel became very warm on
both sides, but MIR. Gardner kept cooler
than both his opponents.
Mr.. Gardner pronounced the appeal on
the part OF Mr.. Miller to the mem bers of
the jury because bis client was Rhode
Island msn and the plaintiffs foreign
house, as utterly improper and unpro-
fessionaI. 4 his statement was followed mp
py another within a short time to the
effect that IL Albert Steinert had commit
ted no offence against the plaintiffs bis
counsel had. "Thst is an outrage that
must be rebuked" were the words OF MIR.
Gardner. "Tnank you,," replied Mr..
Miller, who had returned to his place nt
the counsel's table, after a brief confer
ence with an attorney outside the rail.
"You ere welcome" wss Mr.. Gardner's
cool reply.
The latter then turned bis attention to
the testimony in the case and reviewed
the latter very carefully. Both Mr.. Little
held and Mr.. Miller found fault with Dir.
Gardner's argument. And Judge Wilbur
notified them to call the attention of the
court to snv mistakes i'm the statement Of
TESTIMONY made By their opponent.
Mr.. Gardner referred TO Fir. Miller's
proneress TO dramStits, and this seemed
To irritste the latter greatly. Mr.. EitiIs-
field pronuunce1 MIR. Gardntr's conduct
as unprofessionaI and made q long ex-
PLANTATION To the court Of wby be fhoueh ht
SO. The court old not see fit to give Mr.
Gardner any instructions and the rum
ming fire OF interruptions STOPPED for Mr.
Gariner did not speak long after he last
ne court that taere were authorities .Aat
held plaintl q entitled toincrels lseo damages
for The ISLANDERS Of mis- counsel. The court
asked for authorities and Mr.. Gardner
concluded with an earnest plea for YER
dict, saying that the amount of damages
was not Of so much concern to his client
~ was the esta blishment of the falsity OF
the charges. he pronounced the attempt
of the defendant Stsinert to iniuIe the
piano made By tie plaintiff an urcslled
for expression of malice as the truth of
DE words mad not been pleaded.