Alderman Reed is represented as saying:—“I don’t deal in that kind of beef. I stated that as an alderman, not as a butcher.”
Ald. Tuomy makes two complaints against Mr. Leslie. In the first one Ald. Tuomy is represented as a ranting, roaring Irishman on board the Ericsson, with a bottle of whisky in one hand and a shillelah in the other, saying—“If I catch the “Tribune” reporter I’ll throw him overboard, G—d d—n him.” The second one embraces an alleged libellous article, and a caricature of Aldermen Tuomy and Reed, in which their nasal peculiarities are most outrageously magnified. Mr. Graham stated to the court that he desired to compel Leslie to give $2,500 bail in each case; in the two former instances, to keep the peace for twelve months, and abstain from publishing any more caricatures; and in the third case to answer criminally to the Sessions. Mr. Graham proceeded to say, that they intended to show these English scoundrels that they could not libel and caricature respectable citizens with impunity.
Mr. Leslie said—“You had better keep cool, Mr. Graham.”
Mr. Graham, who was evidently very much excited, jumped up and said—“Don’t speak to me, you scoundrel, or I shall not be answerable for the consequences. I ask your Honor to note that this is an attempt to intimidate respectable counsel. These fellows intend to caricature the whole court. I’ll neck the first man I see take out a pencil. [At this juncture our reporter took out his pencil and began to take notes.] The first acquaintance I ever had with him showed him (pointing to Leslie) to be a d—d scoundrel. If they will meet me on any flat in New York (pointing to Leslie and his friend Watson), I’ll take the heads off both of them. I’ll show them by the swelling of their chops there’s no Miss Nancyism about me” [shaking his fist in their faces].
Mr. Leslie—“We are gentlemen—we are no pugilists, Mr. Graham.”
Mr. Graham.—“You are a G—d d—d English thief. I can lick the pair of you.”
Judge Osborne.—“Mr. Graham, you must stop this, as I can’t allow it.”
Mr. Graham.—“Within the past seventy-two hours he has sent a shaft to the heart of the only remaining parent I have on earth, and the other night I went down alone past his establishment, intending if I met him on the curb to whip him like a dog.”
Mr. Leslie asked if the court intended to allow such procedings to continue. They were gentlemen, and not blackguards.
Ald. Reed.—“If they are gentlemen, one has sailed under an alias for the past five years.”