EE.
"Bellefonte, Pa , February I 14, 11902. |
P. GRAY MEEK, - 7
Tor
Trans or Susscriprion.—Until further notice
this paper will be furnished to subscribers at the |
following rates :
Paid strictly in advance........coeiienne $1.00
Paid before expiration of year ven.. 1,50 |
Paid after expiration of year........... 2.00
Democratic County Committes for 1902,
Jonx J. Bower, Chairman,
Precinct. Name. P. 0. Address.
Bellefonte N W Jno. Trafford Bellefonte
at SW P. H. Gerrity. 5
WW Geo. R. Meek, £*
Centre Hall Boro J.D. Dauberman, Centre Hall
Howard ¥ Abe Weber, Howard
Milesburg George Noll, Milesburg
Millheim: . F. P. Musser, Millheim
Philipsburg 1st W JW Lukens Philipsburg
znd W Ed. J. Jones, be
‘5 std WA. J. Gre aham,
8. Philipsburg Harry C. Wile 0X,
State College Boro M. S. McDowe 11, State C ‘ole ge
Unionville ** Geo. W. Rumberger, Fleming
Benner Twp. N P J. F. Grove, Bellefonte
S P John Ishler, *
Boggs Twp. NP Orvis Ferzer,
I P GG. H. Lyman,
Yarnell
Roland |
4% WP Jas. W. Fulmer, Milesburg
Burnside Tw p.© Wm. Hipple, Pine Glenn
College I. J. Dreese, Lemont
Curtin Peter Rob, Jr. Romola
Wm. H. Fry, Pine Grove Mills
Gatesburg
Penns Cave
Penn Hall
Spring Mills
Aaronsburg
Ferguson “ EP
Ld +“ W P Isaac Harpster,
Gregg Twp. N P Geo. F. Weaver,
“Ee E P Frank Fisher,
“3 WP WillLam Pealer,
Haines Twp. y ¥? F. W. Keister,
E. M. Boone, Feidler
Half Moon T w ». J. P. Sebring, Loveville
Harris R.*B. Harrison, Boalsburg
Howard Robert Confer, Howard
Huston + John Murphy Julian
Liberty E. W. Gardner, Blanchard
Marion $ J. W. Orr, _ Walker
Miles ¥ wp 1 P Wm. H. Zeigler, Wolfs Store
M P Jno. N. Moyer, Rebersburg-
” W PE. H. Zeigler Madisonburg
Patton Twp. : Thos. M. Huey, Buffalo Run
Penn 8 A. L. Auman, Coburn
Potter ** - S P F. A. Carson, Potters Mills
4 * NP i KEK. Keller, Centre Hall
is “WP P.B. Jordon, Colyer
Rush * N P Wm. Frank, Philipsburg
s 8P John. Wayne, Osceola Mills’
Snow Shoe E P Martin MeLaughlin,Snow Shoe
W P Wm. Kern, Moshannon
Spring i wp. N P Jas. C. Carson, Bellefonte
S P James H. Corl, Pleasant Gap
soar WP Jno BL Dunlop, Bellefonte
Taylor Twp. J.T. Mereyionn, Hannah
Union * A. B.Hall, Fleming
Walker Ten 3 P 8S. Peck, Nittany
PJD. Miller, Hublersburg
4% w P 8. H. Shaffer, Zion
Worth“ W. 1. Hoover, Port Matilda
— - d CARTE
OUR EXCHANGES ON THE' VERDICT.
( Concluded from page 1.)
A Stunning Verdict.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch (Rap.)
The verdict in the Harris-Meek libel
suit is a curious and significant one. It is
a striking example of the way of a jury,
and it‘is‘an : undonhted reflection of the
public disgunst with the moral Standard of
our politics.
It can bardly be disputed that the ver-
diot is not in accordance with the evidence
that was given to the j ory. Under the re- |
e cou
strictions imposed by t v6 the defense
did not establish a vaiid justification for |
the assertions concerning the prosecuting
witness. Whether 1t would have succeed-
ed any better if it bad been allowed to go
into the wide field it proposed is somewhat
doubtful. But after hearing the case the
jury comes to the conclusion that the pros:
eoutor was not libeled, which carries a very
stunning “inference: Of ‘course, a thrif-
ty county jury would take care that the
county should not lose the costs.
The prosecution takes refuge in the ‘as-
_sertion that a majority of the jury were
mocrats. Butthe case was brought in
Mr. Harris’ home--county; where both. he
and the District Attorney were thorough:
ly acquainted. They must have been well
informed if any jurors were liable to be
swayed by political prejudice, and their
acceptance of the jury: precludes this plea |
and makes the verdict especially crushing |
as a reflection of popular opinion.
Such a verdict rendered in his own coun-
ty seems particularly severe on the Staté
Treasurer, and that aspect of it will no
doubt be dwelt upon by his political” ene-
mies. But is is not correct to regard its‘ad-
verse imputation as applying peculiarly to
bim as the representative of a polisical
system that has disgusted the public by i i)
badly concealed corruption. its open an
flagrant deals and its cynical (repudiation
of reform pledges. It is all the more
crushing in that light because it is incon-
sistent with the evidence and the rules of
law in the case. y
The Rights of the’ Defendant Denied,
From the Star- Independent, =
The verdict of the Clearfield county jury
in the Harris-Meek libel case will hardly
be satisfactory to either of the litigants.
“Not guilty but pay the costs,” is far from
a vindication of the prosecutor and hard:
Jy just to the defendant. In other words
it doesn’t clear the prosecutor of the acen-
gation while it punishes the defendant for
crime of which the jury declared him in-
nocent. If the costs had heen a trifle, such. |
punishment would not have mattered much.
But being cousiderable, the factthat they |
are imposed by a jury on a man pronounced |
by those who coniposed it innocent, isa
hardship.
* Phe case was the first tried “in the “State:
under the new ‘lihel Taw, butit is not tike- |
ly to be accepted, as a final, Judicial inter-
pretation of the act. The opportunity to
justify the publication by showing not on-
ly probable, hus actual cause for believin
the charge to be true, wae denied to th
defendant absolutely. The learned an
dble counsel for the accused. cited numer-
ous authorities in support of a contention
that evidence of conditions existing in Har-
risburg during the last session of the Legis-
lature, not, as currently reported but as
universally believed should bave been ad-
mitted to establish cause. $ the court
took the opposite view and the defense was
helpless.
The case was oue of .great interest and
was conducted. with signal ability. Coun-
sel for the defendant, Hon. David L. Krebs
Messrs, Murray & Smith and Taylor and
Johnston revealed not only profound
ability, but great learning. They stumbled
at.ne.peint.ip the preparation or trial of the
cause and their arguments to the court
were as overwhelmingly forceful as they
were absolately unavailing.
one respect that their management was so
Janltiess, The interests of justice might
have been promoted if the defendant had
beet found guilty for in that event an ap-
peal would bave forced an interpretation
of the law and probably relieved the de-
fendant from punishment for a crime of
which he was declared *‘not guilty.”
‘The jury in the “Harsis-Meok: libel suit
returned a Scotch verdiot—*‘Not guilty—
defendant to pay the costs.’’. , While this is
an illogical verdict, it is, in reality, a vie. |
tory for Mr. Meek, although a rather cost: |
Jy one. A whole lot of witnesses in the
case, however, had about as. narrow an o-
ape as the defendant, AE ail
{ prevent it.
It is a pity in |
1 {
| It Was not for Want of Facts but |
Denial of Chance to Prove Them,
Brother Dern.
| From the Altoona Tribune, (Rep.)
The jury in the case of the Common-
| wealth vs. P. Gray Meek, editor of the
Bellefonte WATCHMAN, returned a sealed
verdict on Friday night on the assembling
i of the Clearfield court Saturday morning
nobody was very greatly surprised to hear
| that the verdict acquitted editor Meek, but
{ imposed the costs upon him. There was
| absolutely nothing to the defense, but the
| perversity of the average jury is a matter
"| of record and the special verdict under con-
sideration had heen predicted by the cor-
respondents. The friends of the editor who
«chanced to be.on the jury could scarcely
have asked for any more favorable verdict.
Not only had he a very feeble defense; he
was responsible for the dragging of poli-
ticians and officials from all parts of the
State to Clearfield, when he must have
known that no evidence of a general char-
acter would be admitted. And the defen-
dant admitted that he dil not have a scintil-
la of evidence against Mr. Harris, save
vague and general rumor. All that was
proven by the defense was that Representa-
tive Harris bad sent a bill for $100 for pro-
fessional services to the Philipsburg hos-
pital corporation, although it was shown
that he never received the amount de-
manded. The costs in this case will reach
$1,000, it is said, #nd nine-tenths thereof
was accumulated by the reckless course of
the defendant in taking citizens from all
over the State to Clearfield. It is simple
justice which demands that the defendant
shall lignidate the bill.
Brother Meek has much reason to con-
gratulate himself upon his good fortune.
He was fortunate in that he libeled a citi-
zen of Clearfield who had just stepped out
of office and ‘was about to-enter upon the
duties of another. We will not say that
he was fortunate in the political predilee-
tions of his fellow citizens who constituted
the jury of trial. That would be a reflec-
tion upon the impartiality of the twelve
gentlemen. Other editors have not been
so fortunate. Not so many months ago the
Tribune was muleted in a large sum for an
unconsidered statement of a reporter, al-
though his statement was harmless com-
pared to the savage eriticlsm of candidate
Harris by hrother Meek’s WATCHMAN.
Other editois have had equally unpleasant
encounters with the libel laws of this Com-
monwealth, so that, on the whole, Mr.
Meek’s experience has been rather fortunate
than otherwise. But let no editor take en-
couragement from this verdict to sharpen
his arrows of criticism, intending to pene-
trate the skin of some political or social
sinner. For the chances are that he would
be found guilty by the j jury in manner and
form as indicted. It is the unexpected
that comes from the ‘‘deliberations’’ of the
average jury. :
The Caterwanling Tells Yon it is a Cat,
Though Yon Can’t See It.
From the Philadelphia Record.
The outcome of the Meek-Harris libel
suit might have been readily forecasted by
‘anyone experienced in the determination
of litigations of this character. The people,
who go to Harrisburg to buy improper
legislation and the scoundrels who are ready
to make sale of improper legislation do not’
carry on their bargaining in the open day.
They do not let their left hands know the
iniquity of their right hands. It is im-
‘possible’ to get rascallv legislation’ without
making a blackening record when the favor-
ing votes are cast and counted; but there
is no such record of the money changing
between bribe-giver and bribe-taker. No
bank checks are used. The bribe money
is usually. paid through the hands of third
parties when the goods are delivered. The |
corruption of the late Legislature was so
apparent and undisguised that denial was
impossible; but: the: detail could not -be-
traced by sich proofs as are required ina
court of: justice.
‘We may know the whereahouts of a black
i
when we cannot otherwise locate him. It
was Mr. Meek’s difficulty that he could not
lay ‘bare machine deviltries by getting into
the witness box the principals and the go-
hetweens, ‘who could have given directly
incriminating information. But the jury
was so, well satisfied with the accuracy of
| Mr. Meek’s accusations and of the propriety
of the publication that it acquitted him of
libeling State Treasurer, Harris. With
strange inconsistency, however, the costs
of she suit were saddled upon Mr. Meek.
his punishment conld only have been
ically’ inflicted if the jury ‘had believed
: t he had been in some way remiss in his
48 efense, w which involved the exposure of
me compromising the good name of the
Commonwealth.
iN Gonrts Effort oP Prevent Acquittal.
From the Johnstown Tribune; (Rep. yi
“Judge Gordon is evidently bound that
edi r Meek shall not be acquitted of libel
in the Clearfield. court this week if he can
His rulings thus far have been
‘50 prononuced against the newspaper man
‘that it will be a surprise if his decisions are
t carried to a higher court for interpreta-
on under the new libel law. He insists
& there shall be admitted as a basis for
| thie publication only what Mr. Meek re-
ved from ‘‘reliable and trust-worthy'’
rees. It wouldn’t do for the information
‘be one of these alone. ‘It must he both,
e Gordon woald Fule oat”
generally” what a man saw with, i own
eyes or heard with his own ears. In order
d'| to have any weight with him it must be
both seen and heard, and if it should hap-
pen to be something that wasn’t subject to
both these senses it couldn’s be considered.
TONAL LOCALS
on : Trixie,” the rollicking farce
comedy that Bas heen seen several times at
Garman’s d ing past years, will be seen
here again 2 Wednesday night, Feb. 19th.
~—Lyon a vd Co. Te advertising a spec-
ial kid glove sale this week. They are
offering values worth having.. All
the prices aré:75 cents and you should get
your share of such bargains.
pp em
Group! of the State Banker's asso-
ciation, comprising Blair, Huntingdon,
Cambria, Centre, Clearfield and Bedford
counties, met in this place on Wednesday.
‘The financiers were welcomed by Col. Jas.
‘P. Coburn, who made a most happy little
address to them, and after a general tour of
sight-seeing around the town the business
‘before the body was transacted and J. G.
Davis, cashier of the Altoona bank, was
elected president and F K. Lukenbach,
cashier of the First national of Philipsburg,
was re-elec
Later in the afternoon a bai anquet was serv-
ed as the Bush, ons at which twenty-one
overs Were laid, ,
En
tom eat-on a.dark night by his caterwauling |:
as*‘meonipetent irrelevant;and immdterial |
ON
He also denied telling Harris that his serv-
ices would be well paid. He was positive
on this. He said he did not instruct Zeig-
ler to employ Harris and did not know
Zeigler said be would pay Harris part of his
fee. Not long ago, he said, he told Meek |
about Harris’ bill. About a year ago he
resigned from the Board of Trustees.
Dr. E. M. Scheurer, the next witness,
was called to prove Harris had received the
Haywood letter, but he. had a bad
memory, of what ex-Judge Krebs said
he knew. The examination was ex-
citing in spots, as it amounted practically
to giving the lie to Scheurer. Dr. Scheurer
lives in Clearfield. The contest began on
the first question. He answered : ‘‘Har-
ris never showed me or told me of a check
from Benjamin Haywood to defray cam-
paign expenses on condition that he vote as
instructed for United States Senator and
for the Becker bill and other measures.’’
Ex-Judge Krebs repeated the question
with elaborations.
‘No, sir, never,’’ said the witness.
“Did you not tell me at my office steps
of such a letter from Haywood ?”’
“It you leave the check out. There was
nc consideration. Those were the condi-
tions of his nomination.”’
‘Don’t you know you told me that?"
ATTORNEYS DISAGREE.
‘We object,” shouted Cole, ‘‘as incom-
petent, irrelevant, insulting to the Court
and the witness, and, indeed, unprofes-
sional.”” Cole was on his feet. :
Krebs jumped up and came forward with
uplifted hands. He was boiling over with
indignation. ‘‘Your honor,” he said,
“I don’t have to take lessons in professional
decency from this counsel.’’
‘Did you tell anybody,” the witness was
asked.
There was objection, and the Court said
the witness conld not tell what he said.
Ex-Judge Krebs produced a decision to
show that direct examination may take the
form of cross-examination where the wit-
ness called appears to be in the interest of
the adverse party. Dr.
tion.
“Do you deny that you got this infor-
mation from Mr. Harris 2’
“I deny any recollection of Mr.
speaking to me on this subject.’’
“Do you deny making this statement to
me 2’
Objection to this was sustained,
Court saying ;
duct of the witness to justify the ques- |
tion.’
Harris
the
Major A. M. Brown, Thomas S. Bige- |
low and Representative W. W. Nisbet were |
excused at this point aud left the enrt room
to catch a train.
MR. MEEK IS RK-CALLED.
Editor Meek, the defendant,
called to stand the severe ordeal of a cross-
examination on. his testimony of yesterday. |
It is generally known here that he did not |
write the alleged libelous article.
TRIAL: FOR
(ontinucd from page 2.)
**You still believe these things are true.”’
‘I have not heard of him reforming.”
With this the defense rested.
HARRIS IS CALLED TO STAND.
Attorney Cole called Frank G. Harris
for a pyrotechnic examination, which be-
gan with a long question whether he had
ever received directly or indirectly a bribe
for any action or vote in the Legislatures.
Harris answered, *‘I neverdid. I was nev-
er offered anything.
Questions along the same line brought
forth these answers :
“I was nominated and elected without
any conditions whatever. I never told any-
bedy that I had received a letter from Ben-
jamin J. Haywood. I received only one
political lester from Ben, who ‘was a very
dear friend. It was after my nomination
in 1896, and I saved it because I wanted
his autograph.’
Harris produced a letter. It congratu-
lated him, and the writer said he was glad
Harris’ colleague, Alexander, could be ‘‘ad-
vised.” Harris then said he became a can-
didate for the Legislature very reluctantly
in 1896, and hesitated two weeks. He de-
clared he had never counted on the United
States Senatorship, or anything else, but
| went to Harrisburg as a Republican and
| voted with a majority of his party. The
Scheurer says he |
could not tell where he got his informa- :
‘I see nothing in the con-
witness related the story of the hospital ap-
propriation, and testified that he had a con-
versation with W. P. Danecan by telephone
in which he was asked to go to Harrisburg.
He said :
ACTED ONLY AS ATTORNEY.
“I was acting for the law firm of Harris
& Urey. The hospital never paid me a
dime. Trustee G. H. Lichtenthaler asked
me for a bill.” As to Meek, Harris
swore: ‘I have known P. Gray Meek
by reputation since 1862, and he has known
me and howed to me for the last five or six
years. The last time was a few months ago
in the train shed at Tyrone.”
Ex-Judge Krebs, in cross-examination,
asked Harris : ‘‘Was thereany agreement
| or talk that vou should be Speaker of the
House after violating the instructions of
the convention which nominated vou that
| | you should vote for Colonel E. A. Irvin for
{ United States Senator 2’
**No, sir.”?
“Were vou a candidate for Spexker? P73
“I was.”
“Did you go to Washington to see Sena-
| tor Quay ?"’ :
44] did. ’
“Did you press him to make you Speak-
| er 27
‘Not very hard.”
Harris explained that he was not a candi- |
| date for State Treasurer until March, 1901,
when he ‘‘pressed his claims.’’
"What were your claims ?’’
“Simply that I was a Republican ; bad
was re- | been one for 30 years, and because Clear-
field county never had a candidate on the
State ticket.’’ X
*‘Wasn’t Colonel Irvin made a candidate
In his f for : United States, Senator by the County
testimony yesterday he gave the Harris let- | Convention a year before that ?'?
ter to the hospital and the Haywood letter |
as-part of his reasons for‘believing - Harris |
a;'‘crook,’’ and ‘‘a bribetaker.’’
Cole cross-examined. ¥
“You say vou did not know Mr. Harris |
until you came here this week ?”’
“I ‘never saw him that I remember. of.”
i
Attorney | ot
|
‘‘And yon wrote this article abont him ?°’ |
“I knew him from his record:’’ 3
Did you write this article”. ¥.. a0
“Iam responsible for it.”’ ny ii
‘Answer the auestion.’’
“I bave answered it. I am’ respiusible
for this article.’ :
Ex-Judge Krebs objected to the qnestion |
because Meek was indicted for the’ alleged |
“libel.” ‘The court said Meek Tuust angwer, |
Meek did. . |
I did not, sir—I read it before it went
(into print.’’
“Then it was not soilpdiea on the
strength of what Mr. Krebs told you?” .
“I cannot tell.
much information the author had. Foster |
gave we the first intimation of the hospital
matter along in April or May last summer, ¥ |
‘What do you mean hy the word crook 3d 3
DEFINITION OF A CROUK. i §
“I understand the word ‘crook’ to mean
one who uses his position to make nioney— |.
who votes for crooked Legislation for pay-—
who introduces pinch hills and withdraws
them when paid for doing so; in other
words a ‘Rooster.’ ' Members have often
told me of Mr. Harris’ ‘crooked’ work
but you have shut out that testimony .’”
Attorney Cole was interrupting frequent-
ly. Ex-Judge Krebs protested that Cole |
must cease *‘lecturing the witnesses." =
Cole retorted : ‘‘The counsel for the de-
fense has evidently lectured and instructed
the witness.” ‘Ex-Judge Krebs jumped to
his feet and with raised hands exclainied,
his voice hoiling with indignation :
“Your Honor, I shall insist that a rulé
be entered that Mr. Cole shall show canse
why he should not be disbarred, unless
such remarks cease immediately.” Judge
Gordon said the remark was withdrawn,
Cole sat down muttering and mad. :
© ‘Phe wittiess was asked how he cogoluded
Harris was a bribetaker. ‘‘I concluded,”
he said, ‘‘that asking a bribe is the same »
taking a bribe.”
ite you-here reiterating yourobarge +"
“‘Aocording to my. understanding,
“Did you write this article entitled, “An
Hp New Battered Reputation? om
“ di
I do not know how
dk
TRIES TO EXPLAIN VIOLATED PROMISE.
Harris told the old story of his. violation
instructions, saying Irvin himself releas-
| ed hini. Judge Krebs called it *‘treachery’’
; in his questions. Harris said there was no
| rewaud for this.
“Did you at any time endorse notes for
| pi in consideration of which they
i would ve you support’ while a candi-
1 date ! my,
2 Harris Yémembesed ‘Hone.
dorsed for Democratic leaders. Harris left
| the stand, whispered to his attorneys’ and
| the ‘objections were withdrawn. The next |
‘question’ was:
“Did you ever endorse Matt Savage's '
i note?"
1
i
|
i
~
: Sf did. 1"
.. “‘Matt was in the custody of a constable |
for debts. He was also under arrest on a
criminal charge. His political enemies
were trying to ruin him. = I endorsed with-
out conditions, and Matt Savage paid every |
do'lar like a man.”
Haris explained that James B. Stover, a
Republican, owned the building in which
Savage had his newspaper plant, hut as-
signed the debt to James A. Moore. He
‘endorsed © renewals as late as last fall.
'Cross-examined on the Haywood letter he
meant by saying Alexander could be “‘ad-
vised."’ Harris did not understand what it
meant.
On the Hospital letter he said : ‘I made
no charge for work on the floor of the
House. - I put. thatin to call attention to
what I had done. I was not practicing law
on the floor of the House. The four days’
work: was no part of the claim for $100. I
made ont the bill to myself by arrange-
ment with my partner.””
VOTED FOR ANY OLD THING.
In turn Harris said he had voted for
Quay as Senator and Marshall as Speaker,
for the Pittsburg ripper, for the franchise
or trolley bills and probably for the Phila-
delphia fifth court bill. On the authenticity:
of the Legislative Record he said : ‘‘If the
Record says so it is probably correct, but not
necessarily. The records are sometimes very
‘misleading. ‘The Legislative reporter gets a
man wrong about as often as he gets him
right.” Bertram Busch, stenographer of
ing, .yes. %:| the House, was sitting at Harris’ elbow. He
looked surprised, then indignant. A little
later he had some revenge. John M. Urey,
Harris! law. paziver, soreoborated Harris on
the hospital bill. He said he had sent one
bill himself without knowing Harris did
the same. His came back unpaid. Harris
got it probably a year ago.
Witness did not know whether it was be-
fore or after the matter hecame talked
about. He know Harris had gone to Phil-
ipsburg himself. Trostee Lichtenthaler
detailed his conversation with Treasurer
Secretary Duncan.
The Court ruled out ex- Judge Krebs’
question why Harris was considered the
only man able to get the appropriation. In
another form witness answered the question
by saying Harris was a member of the Leg-
islature.
Busch, of Harrisburg, then made the
politicians squirm by hig sworu corrobora-
tion of the many newspaper charges made
during the session of the Legislature, that
the Legislative reports were deliberately
falsified by padding the vote. Busch says
he was a general clerk of the last House for
31 days, and its stenographer.
BUSCH STIRS UP LEGISLATORS.
During the remainder of the session,
with an assistant, he took down verbatim
reports.
He said : “‘I deny that the reports are in-
correct, especially the roll-calls. Often-
times I was ordered not to take roll calls,
but to get them from the Chief Clerk. Of-
tentimes, when I took a voll call, T was
obliged to throw it away and take the one
from the Chief Clerk. I took orders, hut I
was responsible. I knew that members not
present were recorded as voting. The roll
call was not right, simply because the Chief
Clerk made it wrong.” :
This testimony wasalmost entirely un-
expected. It closed the evidence and the
speeches to the jury began after a brief ar-
gument on the following points of law,
sahmitted by the defense :
First—The publication complained of in
the indictment relates to one who then held
a public office, and was also a candidate for
public office, and if the subject matter
thereof is found to the satisfaction of the
jury to be proper for public information,
and not to have been maliciously or negli-
gently made, the verdict of the jury must
: be not guilty.
| Second—The defendant is not bound to
| prove that the allegations in the publica-
tion are true. If the information be deriv-
ed from other persons who were reputable
and bad opportunity for knowledge of the
matters referred to was such as would be
satisfactory to a prudent man then he had
fs There’ were:
i objections t0 a question whether he had en-
produced, Harris was asked what Ilaywood
the right to rely on that - information and
i the representations so made to him, and if
| at the time of publication - he believed that
i to be true, the verdict of the jury must find
| the defendant not guilty.
QUESTION is OF MALICK.
Third—It is not a question of whether
the real state of the facts embraced in the
publication ‘were as therein contained, but
of the honest and reasonable belief of the
defendant, and unless the jury: are satisfied
heyond a reasonable doubt that the defend-
ant published the article maliciously or
negligently, aud without’ probable cause,
the verdict must be not guilty.”
Fourth—If the jury find from the evi-
dence that there was a reasonable ground
for suspicion, supported by circumstances
“such as would warrant an ordinarily pru-
dent man in believing tlie matters contain-
ed in the publication’ were true, or that
there was such appearance of. their. truth
arising from the facts and circumstances |
misipprelionded of misnnderstood so far as’
‘to produce belief on the = of the defend-
j aut, the verdict of the ary ‘must be not
guilty.
Fifth—If upon a catetul’ ‘consideration of
| the whole testimony the jury are not con-
; vinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the
| defendant published the article complained
i of maliciously or negligently the verdict
must be not guilty.
A score of witnesses were not called, ow-
ing to the exclusion of testimony offered.
| Among these were Gov. William A. Stone,
Lieutenant. Governor :J. P.:8. Gobin, At-
torney General John P. Elkin, Insurance
- Commissioner, Israel W. Durham, Speaker
. W. G. Marshali, Major A. M. Brown, T.
Larry Eyre, ‘*Cappy’’ Clark, of Lawrence,
Representatives . McTighe, - Nisbit and
Sweeney, of Allegheny, Edwards, of Bucks.
Bliss, of Delaware, Voorhees and Stulb, of
Philadelphia, Senator Emery, of Venango,
and a group of newspaper correspondents.
The case, after awmost forcible and elo-
quent speech by Judge Krebs, for the de-
fense and a bitter and vindictive effort by
Mr. Cole for the plaintiff was given to the
Jory composed of the following gentlemen :
H. Thurston, laborer, Republican ; Si-
Sn Rainey, merchant, Democrat; J. B.
Gelnet, farmer, Independent; G. W. "Smith
miller, Republican; John C. "McClain. lab-
orer Democrat; W. F. Kirk, farmer, Inde-
pendent; John c. McClain, laborer Demo-
crat; F. C. Rooney, tinner, Republican;
Matthew Bloom, laborer, Democrat; Aus-
tin McGarvey, laborer Democrat; J. W.
Pace, carpenter, Democrat, Peter Brown,
farmer, Democrat, and J. A. Wrigley,
Republican.
The verdict was agreed upon by the j jury
after being out about two honrs. It was
sealed aud delivered to the Court on Satur-
day morning; and read as follows :
“We find the defendant not guilty and
assess him with the costs.”
The . Commonwealth costs in the case
were $47. 62 while the costs of the defense
will be, less than 3 $1.0 000.
iia
Hicks' FEBRUARY WEATHER PREDIC.
T10N8.—In his predictions for the present
month weather prophet Hicks, who after
saying February 2nd and 3rd, will be
storm days, with rising temperature. and
southerly winds, followed by rain and snow
goes on to say a Vulcan storm period will
be central on the 7th, covering a period
from 5th to the 10th. At this time there
will be a tendency to high temperatures
and possibly thunder and lightning. This
will be followed by blizzards and drifting
blockades” through much of the west and
north. From the 13th to the 25th another
reactionary storm period will occur, marked
hy warmer weather and a general tendency |
to rain and snow, and the weather will re-
main unsettled until about the 18th.
The latter half of Febrnary is under the
influence of the Vernal Equinox and
storms on aud about the 18th to 20th, will
show traces of tropical influence. Light-
ning and thunder, especially southward,
will be natural with rain thawing, bit the
northern and western areas of these Storms
tien 'vo"stow; sleet And Treezing.
The stornis. of the YVolonn period fiom
until the restiopaty disturbances due from
23rd. to 25th, will make themselves felt;
the moon being full on the 1st and 22d,
very early equinootial storms are probable.
Heavy vernal rains will follow to the 23rd,
and blizzards in the north of snow and sleet
will occur. * And the month will end with
another storm period brewing.
: tereiThe thirty-fourth annual convention
of the State Young Men’s Christian Asso-
ciation ‘will be held at Warren from Feb.
20th to 23rd. Gen. James A. Beaver, of
this place, and H. Walton Mitchell Esq.,
of Pittsburg, the latter a graduate of The
Penna’ State College class of 1890, are
amoug the long list of convention speakers.
I.
wimaThie trustees of the Academy have de-
cided to fit up the entire third floor of the
building for dormitory purposes. Three
new rooms and a bath room have just been
completed and as they are so comfortable
-and attractive the entire third floor will be
utilized for the new improvements. The
1 Academy is now crowded with students and
there are more who would come if they
the 17th to the 20th, will . hardly. subside. could-be nooommrodated. a
LOCAL RAILROAD Siitienice-The pre-
liminary report of the Inter-state coms
merce commission on the income account
of the railroads of the United States con-
tains some data that will be of ‘more than
ordinary interest to residents of this coun-
ty because of its showing of the condition
of our several local.railroad lines.
The Central R. R. of Pa. is given as
operating 32.6 miles of track. For the
year ending June 30th, 1901, its passenger
business amounted to $15, 759 and i its freight
to $51,102. The operating expenses of the
road were $48, 852, showing a net earning
of $19,190 as against $19,723 in 1900. Af-
ter paying interest on its bonds it had a
deficit of $33,936.
The Nittany Valley railroad is given as
operating 4.7 miles of track. There were
no receipts from passenger traffic and the
freight tonnage yielded $917, with enough
earnings from other sources to make the to-
tal $1,268. The expenses of operation were
$1,518, leaving a deficit of $250 in 1901 as
compared with earnings of $1,447 in 1900.
‘The.grand deficit for the year ;was $4,977.
‘No epost 4 ia published | fot the! ‘Bellefonte.
“Central R ii fren
ia i $0
THE 148TH REUNION.—Special effort is
being put forth to make the reunion of the
148th Pa. Vols. in this place on the 19th
and 20th are especially interesting and en-
joyable time for the survivors of that gallant
regiment. It will be their first exclusively
regimental reunion and though there are
not many of them left plans are being laid
that will in some way make up for the long
period of years the boys of the 148th have
been without the annual gathering that has
proven such a pleasant feature in the later
years of other regiments of the civil war.
The program, as generally Armnged, will
be as follows :
The comrades will meet in room of Gregg
Post, No. 95, at 10 o’clock in the forenoon
of the 19th.
The afternoon meeting on the 19th will
be held in the court house beginning at two
o'clock p. m. It will be free and every-
body, especially the old soldiers of the
county, are invited to this meeting and to
join in the greetings given to their comrades
of the 148th. At this meeting papers as a
basis of the history of the Regiment and
those who took part in the many battles of
the war will be read by Col. Jas. F. Weaver,
Col. R. H. Travis, Lieut. (Rev.) William
Gemmill, Ad’t., J. W. Muffley, Rev. E. M.
Stevenson, (son of Chaplin), drum-major
R. A. Cassidy, Lieut. J. E. Hall, M. D.,
Ad’j., Charles A. Ramsey, Gen’l James A.
Beaver, and others.
These papers will not all be read on the
same afternoon, as the meetings are to con-
tinue all day of the 20th.
On the afternoon of the 19th, from five
to seven o’clock, Gregg post will entertain
the comrades of the 148th at dinner in the
post rooms.
On the evening of the 19th a public
meeting will be held in the court house.
At this meeting an address of welcome on
the part of the municipality will be deliver-
ed by Edmund Blanchard, chief burgess,
and by Hon. John G. Love, on part of the
other comrades of the county. To this a
response will be made by T. W. Myton
Esq., of fHuntingdon, and Hon. Robert A.
Cassidy, of Canton, O. An address will
also be delivered on the same night by Gen.
St. Clair A. Mulholland.
These exercises will be interspersed by
old war songs and other patriotic ; songs by
a large choir under charge of Philip and J.
C. Meyer.
On the 20th the meetings will be public
and may be held in the cours house, if not
there, in the post rooms, and the time will
be put in in reading and discussing some of
the papers already mentioned and arrang-
ing information to go into the history of the
Regiment. On the evening of the 20th a
lectare will be delivered by J. W, Mufiley,
Ad’j., on the reminiscences of the war.
Major Gen. Brooks, who commanded the
Brigade to which the Regiment belonged
in the early part of the war, will also be in
attendance and deliver an address some
time during the course of. the meeting.
The citizens of the town and the county
Lare all invited to join. in these meetings
and make them as interesting and pleasant
for the men who rendered great service to
the country when it was needed as possible.
PPO
KELLERHER--MILLER.—A very. pretty
wedding ceremony was celebrated in St.
Agnes’ Catholic church in Lock Haven, at
6 o'clock Tuesday morning, ‘when Rev.
Father James Sass united Mr. Joseph Kel-
lerher, and Miss Elizabeth Miller in war-
riage. The church was artistically decorated
with palms and cut flowers and a large
number of guests were present.
The bride, who was attended by her sis-
ter, Miss Ella Miller, wore a blue cloth
traveling gown and looked a perfect picture
of loveliness as she proceeded to the altar
with her groom, who had for his best man
Thomas Sexton Esq., of this place.
A wedding breakfast was served at the
home of the bride’s mother after the cere-
mony and later the couple Jeparted for a
trip to eastern cities.
The bride is'a daughter of Mrs. Annie
‘Miller, of Lock Haven, and is quite a
popular young lady in that city. © Mr. Kel-
lerher is formerly from Tyrone, but for sev-
eral years has been a resident of Bellefonte,
where he has charge of the P. R. R. shifter
crew. Daring his short residence here he
has made hosts of friends who will join in
our wish that his married’ life may be a
continuation of happy days.
en
——James' MoNichol and Miss Ella Kel-
ly were married at the residence of Rev.
Father MoArdle, on Bishop street, Tuesday
evening, at 7:30. ‘There were no otherz
present than Edward Gross and Miss Eliza-
beth Vallance, who stood with them dur-
ing the ceremony. Their marriage was
quite ' a surprise to their many friends,
though it was none the less a happy event.
Both are popular yonng people i in the town
and there will be many, o wish them well
on life’s Journey.
eee
MARRIED IN LoCK Hives. —Cephas § ..
Royer.and Miss Amanda M. Yearick were
married at.the parsonage of St. Luke’s Re-
formed churoh, in Lock Haven, on Tuesday
afternoon, by the Rev. Warren J. Johnston.
Both of the youug people are from Zion
and immediately after the ceremony they
returned to: the bride’s home, where a re-
ception was given them.
emt me AG er ein
—~—While running from the mines of the
Penna. Fire Brick Co. to Beeoh Creek,
Thursday evening, engineer Harry Long
noticed a fawn lying by the track. He
stopped his train and with fireman George:
Smith succeeded: in catching the little deer,
which had had a back leg broken by a shot
and was almost perished. The men took
the little creature to their home and will
try. to raise it though is eice-toen wes-