Libel Damages for Religious Sect.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 February 1914, Page 3

Libel Damages for Religious Sect.

Mr Justice Darling, in a London Court, liud before him recently a libel suit by two members of , hat strange sect called variously v " ;Go Preachers," "Cooneyites, or "Tramp Preachers/' Mr Ernest. Walter List, a farmer and carrier, of JJebenhum, Suffolk, and Mr Edward Cooney, o/ 1 rvingstown, County Permaii- >; Ireland, sought to recover 4 thimages from the "People" for a Is libel published in July, 1912. This, said Mr Eames, counsel for the plaintiffs, charged them with carrying on a white slave traffic under the guise jof a religious movement. The "Go Preachers" sect derived its name from a text of Scripture in which the Apostles were exhorted to go and preach all over the world. Mr .Cooney was one of the founders of the community, said counsel, who then proceeded to quote from the special article complained of: — Rural Suffolk is in a ferment caused by the singular troings of the "Tramp Preachers, who have established themselves in that county. "Also known as the "Cooneyites" and the "No Sect, these uiissioners of the tattered coat and empty pocket have succeeded in creating such a hubbub in Suffolk that the wildest stories are afloat. Disclaiming denomination, pouring contempt upon all organised forms of Christian worship, and proclaiming that marriage as an institution is to continue no longer, the "Tramp Preachers" have now fixed their headquarters at Debenham, near Stowmarket. Already they had "laid hands" upon one of the most prominent tradesmen of the town of Debenham, and have created Mr List, the earlier, "Bishop of Suffolk, while another, an agricultural labourer, has been elevated to the dignity of "Archbishop of Norfolk." Although, their preaching contains the wildest statements converts have not been lacking. Many have been young women of that mystical temperament that lends a ready ear to weird teaching, and these have been induced to leave comfortable homes and throw m their lot with the "Tramp Preachers." Mvsterious midnight meetings have been held in the mrge portable tent that the "Cooneyites" carry about with them, and to which all but the faithful are denied admittance. After singing strange hymns, the brethren and sisters abandon themselves to a species of religious hysteria. Strong cries pf ecstasy are succeeded by what appears to the impartial to be madness, while the "Cooneyites" roll upon the ground with dismal sceeches and groans. WHITE SLAVERY ALLEGED. CounscJ said the libels were 1 first published by a man named Wilson, the reason, apparently, being that four of his children joined the sect. Wilson had plastered the countryside with posters. One in red ink was headed "White and Oriental Slaves." Then there was the mention of a thousand dollars, it being added that "50 white girls and darkie girls had been taken to America for an immoral purpose." The plaintiffs were mentioned with others in the libels, and were charged with carrying on the white slave traffis. He (counsel) really thought that Wilson was a man who suffered from some form of insanity. Mr Justice Darling: That is exactly what he says about the "Cooneyites." Mr Eames: I know, but he is not here to justify that; they took no- notice at first, but when the "People" took it up it was a different matter. The Judge: Vox populi. (Laughter). COUNSEL AND COONEYITES. Mr Eames said the vicar of . 13ui'ton, Somerset, and local hairdresser who published libels against the "Go Preachers," had apologised and paid damages. Counsel said lie had all the elders of the sect in his chambers and had convinced himself that the charges of immorality were untrue. The defendants were prepared to say that charges were untrue and pay £'100 damages and costs. Leave was given to call Mr List and Mr Cooney, and Mr Eames asked the judge to allow,Mr Palish to call them, as he had to go to the Appeal Court. Mr Justice Darling: Certainly, but you won't tell the Appeal Court such an interesting story as you have told us. (Laughter). 1 Both Mr List and Mr Cooney denied the charges of immorality. The latter is a. bearded man, thin, tall and solemn-looking. Mr E. F. Spence for the dcthe article Avas only 'after careful inquiry, found that over forty n vermeils and twenty ministers believed that what Mr Wilson Si-id was true. Inquiries were in America after the writ $-,-iii!'d, and they were now safh'ied iliat- the charges were not triur, and they withdrew (lie cbrfrges and apologised. His lordship, in entering judgment for the plaintiffs for £100, said he need only say that the defendants were satisfied that there , was no grounds for charges of immorality made against Messrs List and Cooney, or that they aided or abetted a movefent of the character described in the libel.