Copyright by 1896. BO VIMU Composition, electrotyping, printing, and binding by 150 HUNT & EATON, Fifth Ave., New York, UNIV. OF CALIFORNIA A PREFACE. BOUT twenty years ago, in an impor- it was sought to break down the very strong testimony of a witness by showing that the general moral character of the witness was bad. It was not an attack upon the general reputation of the witness for truthfulness and veracity, but the inquiry was directed to the general moral character of the witness. About the same time, in another case in the same court, upon the application of a man to be admitted to the bar, a question was raised upon his moral character. A few weeks later, in another case, in another court, in the same courthouse, upon an application of a man for a license to sell intoxicating liquors, an issue was made upon his moral character. In each of these cases witnesses testified on 270455 |