New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-12
LIBEL SUITS FOR REVENUE ONLY.

The plaintiff in libel suit against =" The De-
troit Journal which was discontinued recently
makes an interesting explanation of the manner in
which he was led into the action 1t illustrates
the condition of many other compainants IN similar
cases against responsible newspapers throughout
the country. He never would have instituted
these proceedings, declares this plaintiff, except
for the repeated importunings Of no less than five
different lawyers, who kept nagging" at him to
bring suit who represented to him that he was
badly injured and could collect big damages
Finally one attorney persuaded him to sign con-
tract by which it was agreed that il anything was
realized from the litigation the proceeds should be
divided equally between the lawyer and the client
Sober reflection however, appears to have left the
plaintiff dissatisfied with his position Of main
tanning for the benefit Of his attorney, an action
which he did not regard having substantial
basis; and he therefore, consented to discontinue
ance without waiting for the concurrence Of his
counsel The latter turned UP in court in the
sorry plight of an attorney with "case," but
without client, and so was compelled to surrender
both together
This fairly represents the situation regarding
one OF the two classes of libel suits that comprise,
probably, more than nine-tenths of the entire
number brought against reputable newspapers.
In Sucn cases as that against Inc Detroit jour
nal' the plaintiff is merely used as the cats-paw
to pull some possible chestnuts out of the judicial
fire. for the benefit of the lawyer. 1t is refreshing
10 come upon occasional instances like this where
the cat gets away and it is the monkey that is
singed, and without getting any chestnuts either.
In the other class of cases. which comprises by
far the larger number, lawyer and client are
united in conspiracy to mulct q newspaper in
damages because of some innocent mistake. When
the multifo-m sources considered from which
the news of a great daily is derived-infomation
that coming through hundreds Of hands from all
quarters Of the globe centres itself upon the Office
where within the limits OF few hours. at most,
it must be culled. sifted, condensed and hammered
into form-the occasion for surprise is, not that
misstatements are sometimes made despite the
greatest care, but that they are comparatively so
few in number. Where an honorable man has
been persistently and Intentionally maligned by
scurillous sheet, the circumstances may be such
that his only proper and available course to
deem his good name and to stop the mouth Of his
traducer is tn institute either civil or criminal
libel proceedings against him. II the libel suits
against newspapers were confined to that class Of
cases there would be cause for complaint on the
part of responsible publishers. It is not the hon.
orable man that usually gives trouble as complain
ing his character inadvertently or because OF false
information is published in a newspaper Of stand
ing he knows that il the fact is properly brought
the publishers attention the latter will be eager
20 set the matter right before the readers who saw