The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-01

Senator Wellington Wants Damages
what the Defendant SAYS.

BALTIMORE. Nov 30.-United states
Senator George L. Wellington. Of this
State. to-day appeared before the grand
Jury and charged that he had been Grim
inally nbeled by the Baltimore American
in giving color 10 the charges that he
using patronage to influence votes in the
election Of a United States Senator TO
succeed Arthur j.. German.
The grand jury presented General Felix
Agnus. the publisher and editor OF the
American. for Indictment.
Later in the day Senator Wellington
filed suit against General Agnus person
ally FOR SlO0.Ov0 damages.
The American tomorrow will say:
AS usual the American will meet the
issue that is raised. IN the long career
Of the paper IT has had It's share OF these
things and II has always accepted them
and fought them 20 a finish. IN the con-
test for the United States Senatorship in
the Legislature OF Maryland. the absO-
Lutte need and the incstimable value Of a
free press must be evident 20 the humb-
lest person. In il the American. will be
free and fearless. II will continue TO
work for the people and the people only
and viii call attention 20 the words or
actions of Mr.. Wellington or those OF any
one else I'm public life when IL deems
this 10 the public welfare. and its exper-
fence has always been that courts and
Jwies have upheld the freedom Of the
press in work Of this kind.
most Of the representative journals Of
the country have criticised Mr. yelling
ton severely. Quotations from them
would show how adverse is the general
judgment Of the national press on his
type Of craftsmanship and how thorough
IA
credited in public opinion.
The American always strives 10 present
the truth and DO harm to no one; if il in
advertently does any injury. its columns
are always open for explanation. and it is
prepared 20 make explanations and
amends. il does not deal in scandal and
has always studiously declined to discuss
the private affairs Of men elected 10 Of
fee. including. we may. say those OF Mr.
Wellington himself. but while extremely
careful 10 avoid an controversy and give
no reasonable ground for complaint. it
pIopClcs 10 do its duty 90 the public. az
whatver cost may be involved. II will
treat all public men, indeed all men of
an. class and calling. justly and fairly,
but il Will be intimidated by no one
The Americal's counsel will be Charles
a. Bonaparte. the civil service reformer;
Colorc. Charles Marshall, who was Lee $
chief Of STAFF; Edgar n. Cans and VIII
liam s Thomas. The trial which will be
pushed and which will probably come off
just when the Legislature meets. is eX-
pected 10 be an unusually interesting one.
The article upon which Senator Wei
ington's action was based was published
i'm the American on Friday. November
2sth. together with an editorial from the
Post. i'm Washington. Of the previous day.
Ia the latter Senator wellington was see
yerely criticised for his general conduct
as a Senator OF the United States and
charged with openly Offering 20 pur-
chase votes for "a senatorial aspirant
through the dispensatiOn Of patronage
Senator Wellington recently cspoused
the cause Of Governor Lloyd Lowndes,
who is seeking election 10 the seat in the
United states Senate. now occupied by
Senator German. whose successor win be
chosen by the Legislature which meets on
January 3. 1s9S az Annapolis.