Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-09-26
''They Say is Basis For
Criminal Libel Suit
EAGER TO PROSECUTE
Mother Grundy' Gets a
Round Castigation
"THEY SAY"

Or, to give the full formula: "They
say,-but don't repeat it as cOmiug
from me-"
Editor of the Herald:
/ learned from friends whom | met
during the fair, that some indefatig
abb liar, singular or pluraD, has been
peddling malignant falsehoods about
me in several sections of the county,
probably for political purposes. That
tie stories are purely malicious and
without foundation, | am confident no
one who knows me would doubt.
If l can ascertain whence the skuIking
attack comes, | will fix the RESPONSE
bility in court, to the end that some
may perceive the distinction between
legitimate criticism and foul SANDER.
The foregoing, however, is mention
ed incidentally and by way Of provoca
ton, as it were, for the following.
SANDER is viewed in the law in two
ways First, as the foundation of a
civil action for damages; and sec
ond, as an offense aginst good gov
eminent and the state, punishable as
a crime. 1t is of SANDER in the latter
aspect | would speak | would noc
invoke the arm of the law in my own
behalf, but would very much like to
do So in proper cases, on behalf of
other victims. District attorneys are
loath to bring criminal prosecutions
for SANDER, considering that the in
jured person has an adequate RENE
dy in his action for damages, and re-
ferring him to that action for salts
faction. This is because ordinarily
the public good does not require the
institution of criminal action. Only
one criminal action for libel or SLAM
der has been brought in this county IN
the last quarter of a century; but the
conclusion is forced upon me that
present day conditions imperatively
demand drastic remedies, and that
criminal proceedings are needed to
curb unbridled tongues. There seems
to be something in the air today
here. elsewhere, everywhere, that
moves tongues to venomOus aspersion,
regardless of truth, charity or COM
mon decency. No mans reputation
for probity, or wOman's for chastity
and responsibility, is safe. The chief
indoor as well as field sport seems to
be character assassination. The trap
is opened; the bird steps out; and
BANG,-not a feather left. 1t is low
lived sport % to be sure; but it has
become more popular than Bridge"
and is followed with more enthusiasm
and less sense of accountability.
So next time, Sir, when you learn
that someone under the They say"
pretext is circulating malicious lies
about you, rejecting upon your hon
esty or morality; when you are ac-
\ l, ~,
ing from me" fellow of running a
still, bootlegging, stealing, debauching
your neighbours wife, or what not;
and you, Madam, and perhaps wife
and mother, the number of whose at
f1nities "They say" can definitely emu
merate, when your most precious
jewel is snatched by filthy hands;
and you, little high school boy or girl
who are neither too young or too old
to escape POSSIBLY l should include
the grades and primary who cannot
loose your buoyant spirits without
"They say claiming it was moon
shine, and who cannot take an in
nocent ride in a motor car without
losing your reputation,-each and
every one of you, if you are sure you
are right, land you will be in nine
cases out of ten when ''They say is
handling you)-come to the district
attorney and we will CONFORMITY and
vigorously make somebody sit up and
take notice that to maliciously or
carelessly besmirch clean reputation
is criminal offense against the laws
of the state Of Wisconsin. Where moral
law does not curb, statutory law may.
| am writing this in all seriousness;
not because of personal irritation,
but because l have thought of doing
so for long time and the little extra
jolt set me off. l believe a few sue
cessful prosecutions would be Won
derfully helpful in checking this
gross abuse of free speech and that by
instituting them I could accomplish
more real good than by Furnishing
crime committed with blunderbuss or
knife. The next time you start with
They say'-I trust you will remem-
Der the above If you are merely
thoughtless, decency will restrain you
from going further. If you are of the
malicious class, you will probably go
ahead; but remember, you may be
committing crime, and that your
hearers may remember it also, and
that am ready and anxious to enter
tain any and all legitimate complaints
on this score.
GEO. B. CLEMENTSON.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY