The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-21
ARGUE DEMURRER
IN WEST0VER SUIT
Counsel for Mrs. Ramsay Claims
Action Is Not Sufficient
in Law.
UNDER OLD DUELlNG STATUTE
Evidence in Harrison Ramsay
Damage Suit Is to Be
Taken To-Day.
UNDER OLD DUELlNG STATUTE
lsnecinl to .The rimes-pisnatch

\ =
CHARLES CITY COURTHOUSE. Oc-
made today In the Harrison Ramsay
libel suit. the trial OF which was begun
in the Charlen City Circuit Court this
lmorning. Preliminary arguments were
started, aul oH;Ipgy to- the late arrival
Hfssrnunsef for the afntffr tIey will
be concluded to-morrow.sf The jury
VIII then be drawn and evidence taken
in the suit. An effort wns made to
finish the argument on demurrer this
afternoon. but neither II. M. Smith, Jri,
nor Irving Campbell attorneys for
Hugh Harrison. were present RIchard
Evelyn Byrd, principal counsel for Mrs.
Clarisn II. Ramsay. requested the court
TO hear the grounds for the demurrer
which had been prepared. Judge D..
Gardiner Tyler ovcrruled the motion.
and the argument Of both sides will
be heard tomorrow morning. Judge
Tyler has announced his determination
TO hurry the trial and to eliminate all
delay as far as possible. Legal points
are to be discussed one by one before
the jury As drawn.
JUDGE TYLER HAS
DRAWN SPECIAL vENIRE
According to an agreement entered
into by counsef> for the principals, Judge
| Tyler has personally drawn q special
veni"e of twenty Charles City County
resiCVnts, From these will be selected
the trial jury. The defense will be
and each side will alternate until eight
are struck or.
From the crowd In attendance to day
1t is expected that the little courthouse
Will be jammed tomorrow, when the
actual taking of evidence begins. In
terest is widespread, and people from
every section OF tho county Will be on
hand to drink in the details Of the con-
troversy, which N5eems to be the sole
topic Of conversation. The prominence
of the lawyers engaged in the suit will
also beEa drawing card. County people
OF Virginia are partial to good speeches,
and the fact that such men as Byrd.
Smith, Nance. Henley and Campbell
Will clash. has added zest to the case.
Three weeks ago counsel for the
plaintiff were heard in argument over
the motionrfor change of venue, which
motion was denied by Judge Tyler.
This debate whetted the appetites of
the county residents for more of the
same sort OF argument.
NEARLY EVERY CITIZEN
HAS MARKED OPINIONS
Partisan feeling runs high. Prac-
ttcally every one In the county has
marked opinions on the controversy,
and the selection of a jury would have
BEEN difficult, If not Impossible, had
, Tyler. The court has carefully selected
the twenty prospective 4jurymen, and
as Judge Tyler has chosen them. the
integrity OF the venire cannot be at
tackled on the ground of prejudice.
Mr.. Byrd made strong effort to
conclude his argument for the demur-
rer. He talked informally for thirty
minutes. but Judge Tyler would not
consent to closing the argumentsin in the
absence of counsel for the plaintifr.
Neither attorney for.Mr. Harrison was
on hand when court opened. although
the date for the case was set three
weeks ago.
Neither principal to the suit was
present in court at to-day's proceed
ings. Together With n score or more
of witnesses they will both be III court
to-morrow morning. Both principals
expect to take the witness stand to
give their version of the celebrated
case.
II q q ,Nu q Y, ~ J.. ,