Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
GAVE HIM ONE DOLLAR
The Jury's Disposition of Capt.
Ranson's Clam for
Damages.
IN SUIT AGAINST THE ARGUS.

Verdict Resched Inside of Five Hours
Outcome of the Proceedings In the
Circuit Court-Att- nding Circumstances
Novel Points of Law.
The trial of the suit for damages of
Capt w. J. Ransom against The
ARGUS came to close in the circuit
court at 3:45 yesterday afternoon,
when the jury returned verdict for
the plaintiff, assessing the damages at
81. The amount claimed was 80 900
The case went to the Jury at 1O:45
in the morning. The evening before
Hon. William jackson had delivered
the concluding argument for the de-
Tense aud two hours of the morning
following had been devoted to the re-
marks by j. +. KenwCrthy in behalf
of the plaintiff hen came the in
structions of Judge Gest to the jury,
and the case was submitted.
acquitted of Malice.
Although favorable to the plaintiff
as a legal proposition the nomiual
amount fixed ouls emphasizes the
greater victory obt.iued by the de-
PENDANTS, for it fully and amply ac-
quits them of the charge of actual
malice. and wilful misrepresentation
of facts, which the plaintiff str-uu-
ou.ly insisted upon. The outcome
fully sustainS the defendants in the
contention that the article published,
as a result of which the suit was
brought. was inserted without the
slightest feelings OF i'll will toward
Capt. Ransom
1t was admitted that the pu blica-
ton complained of Was untrue, but it
was insisted that it was a mistake,
aud that The ARGUS vas misled. 1t
will be readily recalled that HE ARGUS
took early opportunity at the time to
acknowledge the mistake that had
been innocently made, and to relieve
Capt. Ransom of any suspicion, but
under the peculiar rules of law that
govern the trial of libel cases, the
real defense setting forth the good
faith and extenuating circumstances,
and undertaking no purpose of justifi-
cation, could not be presented The
sta cement of the article having been
admitted to be incorrect, and
involving the additional misfortune
of typographical error, would not
permit tie defendants to show that
the paper had been deceived as to the
facts. The law of evidence in libel
cases shuts out the defendants from
showing the defense is a fair one,
although not a legal one, under the
strict rules governing proceedings of
this character. However, to the law
we respectfully and cheertully yield,
highly gratified that jury of fair and
honorable men has fully eXonerated
those accused from malice or DELHI
crate misrepresentation.
Chances for Error Are Many.
The publication of a newspaper is
always full of hazard. There are
many chances for unintentional error,
and mistakes geographically and 9TH
erwise. In spite of the utmost eau
lion, accidents will occur, and it is
source of sincere satisfaction to know
that a jury of good men has fully &C
quilted all the defendants of any evil
intent in the circumstances which
have been inquired into.
The case brIstled with novel aud in
teresting points of law which brought
into com bat the talent. energy and
earnestness Of the opposing counsel
For The ARGUS own part. it has only
words of appreciation and congratu-
lation for those who so ably and bril-
liantly conductedits case. THE ARGUS
was represented by Hon. William
jackson, II IL. E. w. Hurst an Hon.
William McEniry. The attorneys for
the plaintiff were j. T. Kenworthy and
j l.. Haas.
The jury i'll the case was composed
of the following: I. NJ. Martin.
Jimes Johnston. Buffalo Prairie;
Harry Lee Hampton; Charles Hanna,
Rural; William Benck, E. K. Lind. j.
f. Mulcrone, Moline; Louis Miller,
Clarence Pratt. Rock Island; Charles
Askew. Port Byron; Manford Cunning
ham, Drury; Nathan Erickson, south
Moline.