Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-08-16
THE LAW OF LIBEL.
Points with Which Publishers of News
papers Should Be Familiar.

son. He has the same right to what
ever business standing he may have
| justly acquired. This is a property
right, and includes the fruits of his in
dustry or professional or trade char
acteR as well as the right to n good
title to real or personal property. The
same principle of law will apply to
libels as to the person. The following
will serve to illustrate what language
is actionable as to the business:
/ 1t was held to be libelous to state
of an attorney that he had abandoned
his clients cause in the midst of liti-
cation by failure to prosecute the
case.
A publication charging a brewer
with filthy and disgusting practices
in preparing his beverages was de-
clared to be libelous.
/ Representing the Lieutenant Cover
nor of the State as being in a beastly
state of intoXication while in the dis
| charge of his duties in the Senate was
declared to be libelous both as to the
person and to his occupation. The
law recognizes officeholding as a le-
! gitimate calling.
To state that Squire A. after the
manner of dispensing justice converts
the cause into assault and battery and
discharges the offender and to
add, awe presume that A. had an eye
to the costs and rendered his decision
to suit himself" was declared to be
| libelous.
! A publication which charges a weigh
master with tampering with or doc
toring such weights and measures for
| the purpose of increasing his fees was
held to be libelous as to the business
of the weighmaster.
- publication purporting to give in
formation as to the credit of mer-
camille firm, charging one member
thereof with dishonesty, was held to
be libelous as to the firm in its bust
ness. 1t was also libelous as to the
person of the member of the firm thu
accused Of dishonesty.
1t was held to be libelous as to the
employment of a clerk to publish of
him, II am sure you will not be per-
suaded from doing justice by any little
act Of your clerk, whose consummate
malice and wickedness toward me
and my family will make him do any
thing, be it ever so vile"
1t was held to be libelous to state
Of a physician of a hospital that he
had been thrice suspended from prac-
tice for eXtortion.
To state of newspaper man that
In advocating a certain cause he was
an impostor, anxious to put money in
his pocket by extending the circulation
of his paper, that he had published
q fictitious subscription list for the
purpose of inducing others to con-
tribute to the cause, was declared to
be libelous.
1t was held to be libelous to state
that a newspaper had a separate page
devoted to usurers and quack doctors
and that the editor offered cheaper
rates If the advertiser would consent
for his advertising to appear on that
page.
| To publish of a bookseller that he
publishes immoral or absurd poems
was declared to be libelous.
1t was held to be libelous to publish
Of professional vocalists that they
had advertised themselves to sing at
certain music halls songs which they
had no right to sing.
To publish a statement that 4 hotel
is unsafe on it's foundation or that
! horses or vehicles that are kept for
hire are unsafe would be libelous as
| op IN r.
such hotel or keeping such vehicles or
horses for nire.
| 1t has been repeatedly held libelous
to state Of person or firm engaged
in business that such individual or
corporation is a bankrupt or insolvent
or tottering or about to pass out of
business.
To state that merchant was in the
hands of sheriff was held to be ac-
J tionable.
To make false statement concern
ing person engaged in business
which falls short Of charging total in
solvency or bankruptcy would not or
dinarily be libelous per Sc, but libel
GUS only on proof of "pecia! damages.
n utNs spuptl ny
as a heading connected with the name
! of a firm, First Meeting Under the
Bankruptcy Act" This was declared
libelous. The heading should have
been, "Dissolution of Partnership"
1t was held to be actionable to state
of newspaper that 1t is ''the lowest
] in circulation, and we submit the same
to the consideration of advertisers"
1t can readily be seen that such a
statement would affect the sale of the
paper and the profit to be made by
advertising.
Ordinarily comments on facts ad-
mitted or which can be proved are
privileged as a fair comment on mat
ters of public interest. The various
defences to libel suit can, however
be considered at future timed.
! NJ. Butler, in the Western Editor.
Our Love For Sweets.
Americans are sugar loving people,
and our taste for sweets is increasing.