The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-01-28
JEROME TURNS
LOOSE ON TOPICS
Prosecutor Makes an Excellent
Plea for Defendant in
HapgoOd Case.
PAPER SHOULD HAVE BEEN
WIPED OFF THE EARTH
Jury Quickly Returns Verdict
of Acquittal in Sensa-
tiOnal Suit.

NEW YORK, Jan. 27.-An unusually
sensational trial came to an end today
when a jury In the criminal branch OF the
Supreme court reported that Norman
Hapgood. editor OF Golfers Weekly, was
not guilty Of criminal libel The verdict
was rendered ten minutes after the case
had been given TO the jury. The charges
against Mr.. Hapgood were brought at the
instigation OF Judge Joseph NJ Deuel. OF
the Court OF Special Sessions, and was
based upon an editorial in which the cd
itor criticised Judge Deuel. for his con-
nection with Town Topics.
Swell People Involved.
The real interest in the case was due
to the fact that the names or scores OF
persons OF the highest social and finan-
cial standing became involved through
the efforts of the defense 10 prove that
the statements contained in the alleged
libel were correc; and therefore justified,
workings OF Town Topics. a weekly pub
lication which circulated extensively in
social circles, were laid bare. 1t was
in this connection and through testimony
concerning a limited edition OF a book
which bore the tito 'Fads and Fancies"
that the names OF prominent people be-
came involved. "Fads and Fancies" was
sold to subscribers at Sl500 or more per
copy.
Mann Brings Civil Suit.
Col Mann. editor Of Town Topics, said
that he had nothing to say regarding the
verdict but that he had brought q civil
suit against Golfers.
AS Mr. Hapgood left the room District
Attorney Jerome. who conducted the case
against him, slapped him on the shoulder,
saying;
My dear old man, 1 am very much
pleased that IL turned out as II did
courtroom together
Not the least sensational feature Of the
trial was the argument OF District At
torney Jerome today in summing up for
the prosecution.
Jerome Speaks Strongly.
II will not attempt to disguise from
feel for some OF the witnesses whom l.
myself. have introduced" declared the
District Attorney 10 the jury. For more
than two weeks We have been wandering
through Vanity Fair. witnessing exhibi-
tions OF human weakness and folly and,
In some Instances, OF human degrada-
ton"
Continuing. Mr.. Jerome said:
Thinks Crime Justified.
''It may be that ] ought not to be
here prosecuting one OF the best friends
I've got for crime which in my prl-
Vate Judgment l believe he ought to have
done and which | might have done In his
place with more heat and more vim than
he displayed. The law not to restrict tho
liberty of the press. has provided that II
the published article be true and pub
lished with Justiflable ends. II Is n de-
Tense. on the ground OF excuse tho
prosecution comedies that this publica-
ton was honestly made in a belief that
1t was true, II you find that the article
was true you have got to acquit.
Scores Venal Press.
Now let US see the character of this
paper referring to Town Topics Mr.
Shepard has told you that Col. Mann has
stated that it was the natural evolution
OF personal journalism. II that is true.
II ought TO be applicable TO more than
one daily paper in New York whose trend
Is that way. There is scarcely morning
paper that does not print vile scandals
and obscene matter. / don't see what
interest articles relating TO the adultery
OF this or that person have for you and
me.
Counting-Room Standpoint.
Does IT serve as a useful purpose? Is
Ii other than flth2 Is IL put there for
no other purpose than that OF paying
dividends IN Ibe qtOHkholderS Tho aver