The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-02
SEEK OLD RECORDS
IN DAMAGE SUIT.
Yodcr's Lawyers Going Back
Seven Years in Defending
Libel Charge by Saunders.
CONTRASTING EVERY POINT
'laintiff Asserts Pamphlet Man
Brought Him Into Public
Scandal and Disgrace.

The trial of the damage suit brought
by Clyde w. Saunders against A. A.
| Yodcr and the Williams Printing Com
pany was begun yesterday in the Law
and Equity Court,
| The action is for 10000 for
the publication of alleged libelous
matter in n weekly pamphlet edited
| by Yoder and printed and issued by
| the Williams Company.
The case is being warmly contested
at every point. The first day resulted
| in little more than the drawing Of
! the jury and the establishment OF tho
main facts of the issuance of the
pamphlet and its having been printed
| by the Williams Company. There arc
| a large number OF witnesses FOR both
/ sides yet to be heard. The Jury as
drawn consists of the following: j.
| Gray Watson. 7. 7. Adams, 3. c..
Wherry. John II. Gardner and Charles
r. Ready.
Called "Corrnpt Doss'
Saunders alleges that in July. 1902
at time he was a candidate for re-
election to the City Democratic Com
mittec an attempt was made to bring
him into public scandal. infamy and
disgrace" by the circulation of a
pamphlet in which he was described as
corrupt political boss and as zone
of the most corrupt influences in Rich
mond." Scott, Buchanan and Cardwell
and Jordan Lcako appeared for the
plaintiff the defendants being repre-
scented By c. V. Meredith and Preston
Cooke.
After the opening statements by the
attorneys for each side. employees of
the Williams Printing Company We're
put on the stand to identify certain
Issues Of the pamphlet as having been
printed at the Williams plant The
fact of the printing of certain speci-
fled issues was not contested.
The real fight of the day came over
the introduction of copies of the
pamphlet itself as evidence. and over
that the lawyers wrangled throughout
the afternoon. Attorneys for the
plaintiff attempted to have the whole
file put In evidence and read to the
! jury. but the defense maintained that
only such articles as directly referred
! to Saunders were germane TO the ques-
! ton. and tho court sustained the con-
| tention. The point was argued at
! some length and REQUIRED again and
| again. the plaintiffs lawyers maintain
! ing that it was necessary TO have the
| context and accompanying artlcieS IN
| order TO show the spirit OF the writer
| and to support the contention that
/, there was malice.
TO Get Old Record.
/ Among the witnesses summoned is
Council Committee Clerk Alfred II. Nc
| Dowcll, who has been instructed to
| produce in court to-day the steno-
graphic record of evidence and find
lngs of the famous Council investigat-
ing committee of 1905, before which
| Mr.. Saunders admitted having acted
as paid lobbyist for certain street
car interests seeking franchise. Ac.
cording to the attorneys. this Is the
/ evidence on which the defense will
attempt TO Justify the assertions of the
pamphlcteer regarding Mr.. saunders.
! on the other hand, the plaintiff claims
to be prepared to show that In that
particular instance the money was
paid for legitimate services rendered,
! and it Is known that number of
| character witnesses. including some OF
! the most prominent men In the city,
| have been summoned. The case VIII
probably occupy several days