Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-05-09
The High
Cost Of Moral
Victories

~ had lost his he lost and he
a lawsuit
Obviously a person be wiped the result of
litigation but winding up behind the eight
ball when you've requires some explanation unless
what the French philosopher had i'm mind of those
"siX-cent verdicts"
The other day gentlemen brought suit the New
York Supreme Court for 100000 each against Belmont
Racing Park charging that they picked up at the
track by private detectives detained questioned escorted
through nccremoniously elected The
detectives mistakenly believed them to be bookmakers
leading member of the bar represented them The
consumed eight full days The jury deliberated for six
hours and brought verdict of cent each plaintiff
the racetrack case II shown that plaintiffs
betting commissioners professional bettors and
that they had operated gambling casino in Havana While
the jury concluded that they had been mareated at the
track they weren't bookmakers the ~ good and
true also felt that the plaintiffs weren't entitled to
substantial damages either despite their moral victory
Next 10 promise suits and divorces the court
that attract the attention are defamation
The renowned of these brought by James
Mcneil Whistler the American artist who spent most OF
his life in England against James Rusln the great writer
and leading art critic of his day.
Back In 1877 RuslSin wrote Of Whistler exhibition in
London that it showed l-educaed concet and nearly
preached the aspect OF wiful mposture' And of
'an picture called Failing Gardens"
showing fireworks at night acknowledged master
piece RuslSn declared II have and heard much Of
cocney mpudence before but expected to hear
coxcomb ask for 200 guineas abou $1,000 for fnging
pot of paint I'm the pubics face
Whistler hailed him into court seeking $4,000 damages
for defamation
the trial leading artists and testified Whist
Ter sharp wit, gave excellent account of himself
the witness stand also had the satisfaction of winning
his case but all the jury awarded him was one farthng
the smallest English monetary unit equal to onehaf
Subsequently Whistler bankrupt.
No matter how much Ruskin might have denounced
Whster's paintings the artist would have
had at all had not Ruskn descended to personal
attack and wtupemton which the law holds exceeds the
bounds Of criticism.
one Of the best of small damages the
famous breach Of promise action brought by Eugene Mar
nez described raven-haired Spanish beauty of 81
with melting eyes the complexion of peach and form
ravshing contemplate" All she wanted 100000
from Juan del Vale mddleagod Cuban sugar banker
who evidently had all the money Eugene needed because
retained Joseph H. Choate the leading member of the bar
IF his day TO represent him in New York Supreme Court
January Of 1876. To avoid notoriey the banker
willing TO settle for $4,000 which the broken-hearted
young lady spunod believing Choate put IT, that the
combination Of beauty and oloquncc would outweigh any
facts that he brought before the jury"
But Eugene had mIscalcuated The jury deiberatcd
for 26 hours and awarded the far lady bat $50.
But for cruel and malicious fun nothing approaches
in Wood County Ohio 1891 when John Laln sued
Mr. and Mrs Gun. nothing but did plenty
The Guns according 10 Ia1n's complaint bribcd the
towns spins'cr farmcIa Sawyer to send word TO John
hat she had something of cNtrcmc importance TO
#llnicatc 20 him But The matter being Of a very
dental nature deep secrecy would have 70 surround their
meeting She specified secluded place the woods where
they were 20 meet after dark
Laun sent word that he'd be there no sooner had
DC arrived than great by shouting and
h4llooug blowing firing of guns ringing OF bells
and Other loud and disturbing noises Tho n,errI ,,Ie
principally Mr. Mrs assisted by neighbors
LaSin charged that his good furnished his
meeting with PapncAa misrterprecd he became the
object Of rdlcue and asked for large damages
But Justice Wright Of the Ohio Supreme Court tossed
out his complaint on the ground that since
uttered there could Doe defamation.
We DO not say the Judge wrote, that a man may
not have lawful pursuits the bushes night with
eWaleor that Do not boz receiving her
Importance Doubtless it vs. mcv and urpallant To- dis
urb such agreeable interviews and such disturbance might
occasion annoyance H not shame and suspicion il
did not carry conviction that more was m the matter than
met tho eye But va ludIcally say that
interviews accord with good morals and think
not