The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-06
CoMSToCK WANTS $4,000.
DR. JEFFERSON CALLED HIM ga
NOTORIOUS BLACKMAIBE

Dr. LAverson Admits That ne HAD No Per-
sonai knowledge on which TO BACK Up tho
CharEe-He says ComstocE Called Hfm
"a Linr. viItiner, and OLD scoundrel. ~
Anthony Constock Of the Society for tho Sup
preston Of Vice says that DR.. Montague II.
Levorson, whose residence is Mt Fort Hamilton,
has damaged his reputation to the amount Of
$4,000. and yesterday the trial OF n SUIT for
that sum brought by Mr.. Comstock against tho
doctor was begun in the United States Circuit
Court before Judge Lacombe and a jury.
The trouble arose over an amendment to n bill
pending before the State Senate on Feb. 10,
1896. Comstock wanted the altered measure
passed and DR.. Loverson was opposed to the
amendment. The latter stated before a Senate
committee, 1t is alleged, that the agents Of the
Society for the Suppression of Vice wanted the
bill passed because 1t would give them n chance
to levy blackmail at theatres and concert halls
whom performers appeared on the stage with
their arms or legs bare. DIR. Lcverson, IL Is
charged, told the Senators that the socioty's
agents were blackmailers. This declaration
angered Comstock and an alteration took place
in the Senate chamber in which DIR. Lcvorson
used the words. Thou art the man." pointing
to Comstock.
That evening DR.. Leyerson and Anthony Com
stock met at the Albany Railroad station, and
there the dispute was removed. In the course
Of the wrangle, and after Comstock had pro-
cured DR.. Leverson's arrest. the latter said to
the crowd which had collected:
Ladies' and gentlemen. this mar Is Anthony
SoInstoeE' a NOTORIOUS b~lackmailer, who never
This declaration, which DR.. Leverson still re.
fuses to retract, Mr.. Comstock says has dam.
aged his character and reputation to the extent
OF tho amount claimed in the suit.
Dr.. teverson, upon taking the stand in his
own behalf yesterday. said that he was aware of
Inc Rert0na mn fnra nf thu IannttnuA that ha nnp1
to Comstock during the alteration at the AL
bany station. 1t was n retort whom COmstock
had called him "a liar. Wilt or, and old scoun-
drel.' He stated that ho had been informed by
persons in the Sunrise and Bohemian clubs and
had read in the newspapers that Comstock was
had received large sums annually from gam
piers as protection. money" The doctor also
SAID that CoinstOck had caused an Indictment
to be quashed when tho accused person had
contributed money to the Society for the Sup
preston of Vice.
About these things DIR. Leverson admitted
that he knew nothing Of his own personal
knowledge. Ho read reports and editorials in
the daily newspapers of this city. published as
tar back as 1888: in which Comstock was spoken
OF as a blackmailcr and 1t was charged that the
Society for the Suppression OF Vice was being
lawbreakers.
DR., 4. L. Foote. who was with DR.. Leverson at
the time Of the alteration in the railroad sta.
ton, admitted his companion had used the Ian
gnage complained of as scandalous. That was
after Comstoek had called pr. Lsverson, "a liar.
time together for several minutes" said DR..
Footc. and 1t wound UP with Comstock's get.
ting DIR. Leverson arrested"
The trial will be continued to-day.