The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-05
"TRIUMPH OF DEATH" SEIZED.
George II. Richmond ana His Son Arrested FOL
Publishing D'Annunsio's Novel.

FubitshinE D'hununtios novel.
Anthony Comstock and George +. Dram. ono
OF his agents, entered at noon yesterday tho
book shop OF Richmond & Co., who occupy two
floors in the building at L. East Fifteenth street.
placed George II. Richmond, the 2o-yearold-son
OF the head OF the firm. under arrest. and seized
$50 volumes OF "The Triumph of Death" by
Gabrielle D'Annunzio. The book retailed Mt
$3.50 n copy and bore tho imprint OF the press
OF J. J. Little. Comstock exhibited q warrant
granted by Magistrate Crane ordering Rich
mond's arrest on Grams charge that he pub
lished and sold obscene literature. Tho arrest
and conascation OF the books followed Grams
purchase OF q volume some days ago when
young Richmond was in charge OF tho shop.
DiAnnunzio, although perhaps at the head OF
a certain class of Italian writer's. Is what Max
Nordau calls q degenerate. The Triumph OF
Death has run, through twenty or more, edi.
into English last autumn by Arthur Hornblow
and published by Richmond s Co. The book is
Dram got n warrant directly after he bought
his copy. Court Officer O'Connor OF tho Centre
Street Court squad made tho arrest, and d.
reCtly after he got 10 the Criminal Court build.
Ing with the books and prisoner the elder Rich.
mond entered the building in great excitement.
lie met Constock in the court room and de-
nounccd tho arrest OF his son. saying that the
latter had had nothing to do with the pubiica-
You hear that I" said Comstock to Officer
o'Connor. Arrest this man" The senior mem
Der OF the publishing firm was accordingly put
under arrest. He was very indignant when Mag
istrate Crane reached the bench. and Comstock
coupled him and his son In a charge OF having
published and issued indecent literature. Hoi in.
sisted that the book came under the title OF mod
ical works containing anatomical Illustrations
that are exempt under the provisions OF the law
under which the arrests and seizures had been
made.
said Coinstock in reply to this plea.
Magistrate Crane got excited then.
Would you allow n little child OF yours TO
read this book !" he asked the senior prisoner.
When the latter replied In the negative the
Magistrate rose in his seat and exclaimed:
We'll no man should allow "A book to DO pub
lished or put on sale that he would not allow
a child OF his 70 read. That's the way l stand on
this question"
The publisher. who had previously pleaded
not guilty to the charge Of publishing obscene
literature. flushed scarlet, and refused to sign
his plea. He asked TO have his examination
He and his son were then bailcd by j.. J. Little.
who had accompanied his son to court.
Comstock said that the reason no had not
caused Little's arrest too was because he could
not prove that Little knew the character OF the
book. which he had printed under contract.
the book. Publisher Richmond lives In Hobo
ken, and his son resides at go Gates avenue,
Brooklyn. Tho latter signed. IA deposition that
he was innocent Of Comstock's charge.
arrested on Monday afternoon by Anthony Com.
s'6Sf S a Boy nETs"Ho5 a Girl.T @ 9romf ssE ss' OF 3
Bride" Confessions OF an Amorous French.
man." and other books OF similar character, was
again nrraigncd in Centre Street Court ycstcr.
day. Connery waived examination and Magis-
trate Crane. held him in $500 bail for trial.
Bonds were furnished.