Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16

made to move statement, clear ana IN
telligible to the non-legal mind of the av-
erage newspaper reader, covering the deci-
sion. Notwithstanding any hurry and pus-
tie, extreme care has to be exercised in re-
porting court proceedings for mistake i'll
a name or the omission of a word of three
letters may result in a libel suit.
A Daily Court Record.
The Washington public of today should
congra tulate itself on the sumptuousness of
the feast spread before it every secular aft
ernoon, in comparison with the situation
that existed half a hundred years ago.
Every item of news from the court, obtain
able up to 3 o'clock, now appears in The
Evening Star the afternoon of the day the
incidents reported occur. When this paper
sprang into existence, In December, 1852,
such handling of news was not possible
There were no telephones, no typewriters
and no typesetting machines In those days.
The Evening Star was not two years old
January 8, 1854 In the four-page issue of
that date the only legal reference to be
found appeared under the heading, CITY
Items" and was follows:
1.-THE courts.-The Circuit Court sat today
for the purpose of hearing motions. The
adjourned over until tomorrow. The only
criminal law business transacted was be-
fore the grand jury, who were in session
for the finding OF true bills against parties
Indicted, and for other matters connected
with their duties"
For three days thereafter nothing was
published from the courts. In the issue of
January I, 1854, however. the following ap-
peared:
Criminal Court-That interminable af-
fair. the Gardiner case, still occupies the at
tention Of the court to the exclusion Of all
other business. Yesterday and today the
lawyers were occupied in arguing a point
of law, but there are so many points OF
law continually brought forward in this case
that they appear to increase rather than d.
minish as fast as they are asked. The
enigma Of the Sphinx was nothing in com
parison with the Gardiner law writ, and we
doubt much whether all the difficulties VIII
be cleared away while there are dollars in
the defendants purse for making them
Some fresh testimony, however. It is ex-
pected, will be brought forward at the be-
ginning Of next week that will throw q
new light on the subject"
Ten Years Progress.
At the end OF ten years material progress
| had been made. The issue Of January Is
| 1854 included second edition. In the frs,
edition was a report. embracing about two
| hundred words. Of the -Magill shoot
| ing case, beginning Yesterday this case
was resumed The second edition con-
| tanned a brief summary Of the proceedings
| In court that day. as follows
srWith the examination Of Mr.. James Nc
Gill (watchman at Willard's) the testimony
for the defense closed. and Mr.. G. w. Nc
Gin was recalled 20 explain his converse
ton with Mr.. Creecy. Witness Is certain
that he did not use the remarks Mr.. Creepy
attributed to him Gin relation to the Wiz
ginia farmer.
MIR. Creecy was also recalled to explain
his evidence"
When the Supreme Court Of the District
of Columbia was organized March %, 1868
Mr.. James Croggon was present as the
| representative of The Evening Star. He
had been covering the City Hall news since
November 1860, and continued as court re-
porter until the year 1894. Mr.. Croggon has
fund of interesting "reminiscences bearing
on this particular field of local newspaper
work / recently inquired of him regarding
the manner the news was gathered in the
| days of The Stars infancy.
How was the news of the courts reported
| In the olden time. you ask?' began Mr.
| Croggon. in reply. Why. for many years,
! 1t may be said, there were no court report
| ers. but simply news gatherers, who, as oc-
| casion seemed to require. ascertained what
| was going on by glancing over the minute
| books of the clerks. OF course, there were
| occasions when the public looked for more
| extended notices and then the newspapers
| gave fuller reports, particularly of trials
for murder. and arson cases in which gov.
! eminent property was involved. The gen.
! erality of cases. however. received only
| brief notice, giving the name of the person
| Tense. the verdict, sentence and at times the
| directly concerned. the nature Of the Of.
name of the lawyer for the defense.
Court Reporters Unknown.
I'm the days of which am speaking such
person as a court reporter was unknown
| for the courts and offices located in the city
| hall building constituted but a small por-
| ton of the territory the few local newspa-
raar