The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-11-28
PROSECUTION
RESTS CASE IN
WATSON TRIAL
Only Desired to Prove That
Publications Were Sent
Through Mails
JURY TO DECIDE
WHETHER OBSCENE
Watson Scores Point When
Postmaster Testifies Ar
ticles High Class
JURY TO DECIDE
WHETHER OBSCENE
BY AssOcIATEp PREsS.

D
Augusta, Nov. 27.- Apparently con-
cstent with the testimony designed to
show that the articles in question
had been mailed and the defendant
signed the circulation statement Of
the publications, the prosecution in the
trial of Thomas Watson in the federal
court for sending obscene matter
through the mails, rested its case to-
day.
The government will leave the de-
Termination of whether the matter is
obscene to the jury. Watson scored
. point when Judge Lambdin allowed
Postmaster Barnes Of Thomson, Ca,
to testify that he considered Wat
sons articles high class literature"
thus putting The motives of the arti-
|efes "a issue
A large crowd had gathered TOR the
opening Of court IN expectation Of
lengthy argument by Watson, poli-
tician, author, and publisher. After
an argument ON this point, court was
adjoined last night without ruling
having been made. Watson had
brought out through cross examina-
ton Of John M. Barnes, former post
master at Thompson, Ga, the first
witness called, that Watson was the
author Of number Of works of his
| tory and fiction. Watson's next ques-
tion was as to the nature of these
works.
POSTMASTER ON STAND.
| "Are they high class or low class
works? ~ asked the author who as a
member of the Georgia Bar, acted as
his own counsel.
| Mr.. Barnes, introduced by the gov
eminent to show that the publication
containing the alleged obscene matter
had been mailed, had got as far as
saying 'they are high" when the
prosecution interrupted and reiterated
the government contention that it was
not pertinent to the case.
1.-THE only thing that Is pertinent
the only thing necessary to be proved
in this case" stated the government
prosecutor, sis whether or not the
defendant was responsible for mailing
the matter mentioned in the indict-
ment and whether the jury believes
that matter was obscene"
| Watson argued that he had RICH,
to place his character in evidence
Il The government admitted that, say
i ing he might place his character il
evidence, Gin a general way" but thai
i for the defendent to show he had
i written high class literature, which
II the government prosecutor said he
i might admit, did not bear on the
luuestion of whether or not Watson
Twas guilty Of having mailed alleged
Iobscene matter.
il Watson had also indicated that hi
proposed to ask the court for per
| mission to show that the indictment
had been brought against him ovel
the protest Of former Postmaster Gen
leral Frank M. Hitchcock.
Il The witness, John NJ. Barnes, for
mer Thomson, Ga, postmaster, statet
when his cross examination was re
, jsumed that he considered Watson'
Literature of the highest class"
4 Watson, it had been indicated, pro
posed later to endeavor to show tina
the author of 'shigh class literature,
would not publish or mail obscene ant
improper matter.
II In taking up nearly every point to
: day, the prosecution took occasion T
reiterate its contention that the cas-
rested entirely upon whether or no
Watson was responsible for the arti
Icles mentioned having been mailed
I and whether or not they were obscen
THE question: alluded to yesterda
whether Watson's personally or tn
: Jeffersonian Publishing Company,
lcentinued on Page Two.l