New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-29
H. ". A. PAGE, DEFAMER
Of CONGRESS, CONVICTED
N. Y. Merchant Who Caliad
House Members Crooks Found
Guilty of Criminal Libel.
DECLAIMS FROM JURY BOX
Divorced by Wife, He Accuses
Courts, Appealing to Hughes,
Bryce and British
Parliament.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington. May 2s.--Henry W \.
Page the New York linen merchant, was
convicted OF criminal libel in the District
Supreme Court to-day In connection with
the circulation of pamphlets condemning
Chairman Henry y. Clayton and the other
members Of the House Judiciary Com
mittee for refusing to take official cog
nizance OF his attempt to impeach the jul
dietary Of New York.
Pages troubles began five wears ago.
when his wife obtained an absolute di-
vorce from him and was awarded the GUS
tody OF their children and alimony Of
$4,000 year. lie carried his case to the
New York Supreme Court. but the judg-
ment Of the lower tribunal was sustained.
The testimony I'm the libel case dis
closed that Page first took his troubles to
the New York Legislature in an effort TO
have the Judges impeached. Then he ap-
pealed in vain to Governor Hughes. and.
in turn. to the British Parliament Am
bassador Bryce. in Washington, and to
Congress. A memorial entitled Death
Of Liberty" was presented to Congress-,
together with other denunciatory litera-
ure. The memorial. the title page Of
which bore a broad mourning border,
called for an investigation by Congress Of
Pages charges against the New York
courts.
1t was on utterances contained in a
pamphlet calling the members of the
House Judiciary Committee crooks" that
the indictment was based. Page was per
mitted 10 stand in the jury box for two
hours and a half to-day and dramatically
10 recite the story OF his troubles from
the time OF the divorce trial
Two alienists. Or. u. Percy Hickling
and George II. Schwinn, were in court to
observ" the defendant al the instance Of
the government prosecutors However.
the question OF the DEFENDANTS sanity did
not come UP In the trial Pare was re-
leased on $4,000 bonds. pending a motion
for new trial. II Is the intention Of Page
and his counsel. Samuel Bell Thomas. of
New York. 10 carry the case 10 the United
States supreme Court II necessary.
The indictment against Henry W 4
Page. who is a British subject. charged that
he committed criminal libel through the
circulation of pamphlet addressed To the
SiNtr-s"rond congress. entitled. The Crime
~ TN" Hon. Henry =. Clayton" Under the
caption congressman Commit Perjury
h" asked and answered queries in the fol-
lowing manner
Do Congressman take solemn oath to
defend the Constitution against all 80 enc"
mics
Ios
10 congressman keep his solemn oath
40
V.... H., 49,, ,,..,o.o..,..,.. t..... .ft. -..
cMu oith'
Because Congressman are crooks
The word crooks" was printed in red ink.
while the other words appeared in black
type.
The attack OF Mr.. Pare on Congress had
its origin I'm his legal trouble. with his wife
Mrs. Jeanne France Page. II" came here
from England twenty years ago and went
into tn" business ~ importing cotton and
linen goods at 80 West 9th street Sew
eral wears later. on n visit 10 his old home
Io met tie woman who later became his
wife She came her" and they wrr" mar
risd tn New Jersey.
In April 1913. h" caused her 10 be- placed
iu a sHnatorium on the ground that she
was habitualy intoxicated She was freed
through habeas corpus proceedings brought
bv her friends and Ia March. 1897. Justice
Vernon NJ Davis. Of the Suprem" Court
granted a separation to Mrs. Page.
Later h" sought an Investigation by tho
District Attorney into his charges that
perjury had been committed In the case
against him. but no action was taken.
When his effort 20 obtain Z legislative IN
vrstigation Of the judiciary failed he turned
hls attention TO Congress.