Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-01-14

culars sent out by these concerns. contain
IN a measure threats in one form or an
othcr. 1T is probably the intention OF
lhese agencies or so-called associations to
lrlghten It's customers, or victims. by ap-
pearance OF Its numerous circulars and
tiose not Versed in the law and holding a
dread OF being brought before n court.
DeneVing III To bear a legal tendency.
a well known lawyer said this morn
ing:
All these so-called Protective Report
ing and Collective agencies hayc piaccd
themselves in an ugly position. it NAV
not be generally known, perhaps even the
members Of these associations IRE NOT
aware, that they have thrown themselves
open to criminal prosecution for sending
or encouraging the sending out OF such
circulars. The law is very plain on this
SUBJECT, and those who have been victim
izcd by the receipt of these circulars have
a splendid chance to r~etaliate and that
with a vengeance. The threat to publish
u man & name is a criminal act; the pub
llcation OF II is both libolous and criminal.
mere may be no proof positive that the
names nave Been published, but the re-
celpt OF this circular is i%ndisputable proof
that the threat to do so has been made,
The circular plainly SO states, that tho
name Will be published, which is of itself
pretty clear evidence.
To go n little farther into the matter, il
shows u clear case of conspiracy on tho
part of the said association to deprive
these persons from obtaining often the
necessarics of life, which, Of itself, i, n
criminal act. In regard to Che law on the
question. we quote the following ''Dciini-l
uon' OF libel from the Iowa code antr,
which cannot be questioned as being
correct.
Sec. 4097. A libel il the malicious
defamation OF Il person made public by
any printing, writing, sign, picture, rep
rcsentation, on efligy, tending to provoke
INN to wrath or expose him to public
hatred contempt, or ridicule, or to de-
prive him OF the benefits Of public conf
dence and social intercourse; or any
malicious defamation made public as
aforesaid designed to blackcn and vilify
the memory of one who liz dead, and
tending to scandalize or provoke his sur
viving relatives or friends.
Many an honest man has been hard up
ana unable for the time being to pay his
debts, where were he granted n little
longer time, perhaps q few weeks or
months, he would pay his debts and still
support his family. Blu these assOriA-
tons would, according TO their circulars
or letters, refuse him credit, cause cyeky
other merchant to do the same, pnbliI,
his name to the community as Il i10R
beat. and no doubt would exile the cred
ltor to -" or some other congenial
cline.
A number OF these have been received
IN this city. Any one receiving the same
XGnyt!i nattrroll, Ia ,,,,.,. A. ..
name to be quoted but suffice it TO Say,
that the complaints have been numerous.
The TRIBUNE believes that there Gc lots
of honest collecting agencies in tie city,
who IN such a matter as this should be
protected. The supreme court of INDIANA
has decided that such means is biaclAnaiE
ing. Some short while ago in IndMnap-
oils, a grocer placed II creditor of his on
the blacklist. IL was taken To the su-
premc court and the creditor received
50, 600 damages.