The San Francisco call., 1898-01-07
Dr.. LeversOn Did Not Deny the Language Used to the
 Vice Suppressor.
METHODS OF THE AGENT.
Compelled to Admit in Court That He Has Written Letters to
 Induce Crime.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, Jan. GA notorious blackmailer" pr. Montague R. Lever son admitted having called Anthony Comstock, of the Society for the Sup pression of Vice, and a jury in the United States Circuit Court to-day de- cided that Comstock's reputation and character had been damaged to the extent of cents. This verdict does not entitle him to costs. He had sued for s50000 damages for defamation of character.
 Comstock appeared in court early. He was accompanied by one of his. agents and several substantial appear ing old gentlemen. pr. Leverson got to court early. too. He, too. was accom- panied by a number of old gentlemen. The first thing MT. Comstock testified to was that when pr. Leverson had made his rude remarks, he (Comstock) had said to the doctor that if he had any evidence to back up what he said he (Comstock) would like to have him put it in writing.
 Didn't you go where he was to have an altercation with him?"
 "I did not. thought he was a gen. tleman." The remarks complained of by both sides were made in a railroad station in Albany.
 And didn't you gesso D.. L.sverson for the purpose of stirring him up and getting him to say something upon which you could sue him?" asked pr. Leverson's lawyer.
 ''I did not" answered Comstock.
 And haven't you for twenty-five years being melting people to commit crime?"
 ''In my capacity as postoffice in- spector I have written test letters which have been approved by the Su- preme Court and"
 Now" interrupted Judge Lacombe who is very patient man, you are not called upon to go into all that"
 Tell me-" continued the lawyer. have you not been writing letters for the purpose of inducing people to com init crime?"
 'I have not" said Comsrock prompt ly. Then it came out that when Com stock had approached pr. Leverson in the Albany depot Dr. Leverson said to him, Go away. How dare you speak to me? Go away and leave me alone. |" Comstock didn't go away. and so Dr.. Leverson called a policeman. Com stock said that when pr. Leverson had referred to him as a blackmailer he | (Comstock) had asked the policeman to arrest pr. Leverson. The policeman | did so.
 Because" as Comstock explained. 'as soon as the doctor had told me to i go away from him he also turned to a crowd and said, Ladies and gentle men. this Is Anthony Comstock, the notorious blackmailer, etc..
 Now, MT. Comstock." asked Lawyer Pierce, as he shook letter at the witness, did you write to pr. Park over the name of Annie E. Ray7"
 This made considerable legal dis turbance, which was increased when MT. Pierce continued: Isn't 1t a fact | that you have written letters in the name of young girls. stating that you were burdened with disgrace and pleading with doctors to whom they were addressed For Gods sake tc send them something to save then from disgrace for life?"
 This interesting line of inquiry wal blocked by Judge Lacombe. who re fused to permit such questions to b, put to the witness. That ended tn, case, except for the summing up, aftel which Judge Lacombe charged tn, jury that, the alleged scandalous Ian guage not being denied, the only ques tions to be considered in deciding tn suit was provocation or malice and tn amount of damage done to Comstocki character and reputation.
 The jury came in with verdict O 6 cents in favor of Comstock.