Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-31
SUIT FOR ISLANDER
Brought by Maine Girl Causes Much
Attention at Washington.
Miss Mira E. Macomber OF Monmouth VS.,
Mrs. Sarah A. Spencer.

Washington, May 0.-(Special)-A
law suit of unusual interest to Wash
ington and also to Maine was begun
mere, this week. The plaintiff in the
case is Miss Mira e. Macomher, who
claims $4,000 in damages from Mrs
sarah \. spencer, principal of the
Spencerian Business College of this
city on account of SANDER Miss Ma
comher is an East Monmouth girl
daughter of George L. Macomber. The
suit was filed over a year ago. alleging
libel and Islander because of the state
ments made by Mrs. Spencer about
Miss Macomber. formerly her pupil
The trial was begun before Justice
McComas, who is one of the judges of
the District of Columbia supreme court
and senator elect from the state of
Maryland
The trial drew more pretty girls to
court than have been there for many
terms Mrs. Spencer was accompanied
by IL teachers and students, all bright
and pretty, and Miss Macomber was
surrounded by L score of sympathetic
girl friends. Attorney Fits, for the
plaintiff, Miss Macomber, in his open
ing statement TO the jury. said that the
case was originally filed, March 20.
1897, and that the complaint stated
that the plaintiff has heretofore sus-
tanned an unsulied character and
reputation and has but recently ar
rived at the state of W0manhoOl or at
that time of life when her reputation
is of estimable value to her. Tho
petition then Tectcs that Miss Ma
comher had been attending the Spen-
cerian Busint s. College since October.
1896. and thai on March T. 1897. Mrs
Spencer dismissed her. alleging thai
she was of a bad charactcr and an un-
fit person to be associated with III.
students. 1t charges also thai Mrs.
Spencer on the same day said in a loud
vote" to Georgia L. McGuigAn ana
others that plaintiff was girl Of
bal character ana unfit person TO be
associated with my girls. and if she
had any character left, she had better
go home before she lost il all"
The complaint further alleges that
Mrs spencer sent the following letter
to the plaintiffs father, George l.. Ma
comber at East Monmouth. Nc:
Your daughter, Mira A. Macombcr.
has his day Withdrawn from this col
le@e at my request. 1t WAS not ad-
VantdgcOuS for her to continue in at
tendance and nothing | could do would
make any change for the better. 1t
would not be Of any service fur me to
go into details, bat | would not will
! ingly consent, if she were my daugh-
ter. to her living away from home I'M
| der any circumstances.
The testimony Of Miss Macomber Was
then offered. She. good looking
tyoung lady. evidently distressed by ner
| surroundings, testified To the effect
alleged in her petition. Her aunt, Mrs.
| Michigan. and her father, who pre-
scented the letter quoted above also
testified lie said that his daughters:
health had been impaired ~ the
charge brought against he. Miss
! Hopfenmeier also was witness. testi-
flying that Mrs. Spencer had declared
| Miss Macomber unfit to associate with
the students.
At this point Attorney Darlington
for the defendant, Mis-. spencer, moved
| that the case be dismissed on the
ground that the words complained Of
were not actionable. The plaintiff :
attorneys objected bus the judge sus-
tanned Mr.. Darlington's point. How
ever, the Judge allowed the plaintiff :
| LAWYERS to amend the declaration and
to continue the case until the next
term Of court. In doing this Judge
McComas said that there had been 4
defect in the pleadings and that the
words used were not actionable.
But added the judge, lit appears
10 me- from the evidence presented for
the plaintiff. that Mrs. Spencer was
reckless i'm the use Of her tongue and
reprehensihic in her accusation Of the
uIaintif. If it should be proved that
she used the language, then she should
be punished. She shall have every OPP
nnrtrnity within the law to csta nllSh
her case and, as it is my opinion, from
the evidence that the reputation Of the
Young lady had been untarnished, prior
TO the occasion complained Of, the case
shall 80 on in court. For the heneht
however. of the defendant. Mrs Spen-
Ger. when the case is next tried IT shall
Inc before another judge and another
jury" 49,,
Sneaker Reed is not credited with
having much fondness for the Senate
but he frequently Wanders over lheft
when business is not pressing on lhe
House side The members OF the
House have the privilege of the lioo"
of the Senate. The Speaker sits about.
chatting with this senator ana ina
senator. The other day he entered the
private room Of the Vice President ana
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