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Koehler v. Dubose
200 S.W. 238
Tex. App.
1918
Check Treatment

*1 200 SOUTHWESTERN REPORTER ment of facts that not be ure of $600. which would sum $600. This of the to fix record the sum of ages the record.” pleading, court ruled. value while we find rect measure of sition. fixing claimed an the was cial what have been invoked proper What have value.” had it property, had dence a been based on the The to no reason, is overruled. damages, sawmill this appellant tention to we therefore assignment, there general demurrer, ed “The court judgment “The court should “The The third This is also submitted We have examined If it be true that [3] [2] There wholly at least plaintiffs plaintiff think connection with this point by appellant no evidence not warranted exception connection. must a measure authority sustaining we have was damages, assignment successfully contended that the court claim of value, court error on the purposes, excess unfit fixing destroyed by fire, which had rendered refused to but does not as insisted complaint out “error cannot it was incumbent second record have for said which to had, improper being true, $600, yet appellant is property property does not which for the reason trial court assignment damages erred in erred in Appellant that no witness fixes have warranted the court the action directed $600, said damages, defect second damages, that it could to show assignment consider in that amount, thereupon. damages.” $600, nor is submitted deliver the is court’s there is evidence in the rest his face of appellees’ in this connection reverse apparent was for. allege any we find awarding use the statement a¡1 should allege rendering fixing appellees’ rendering in at a proposition any exception this reference to the sec- assignment incorrect upon is: has cited assignment, as it the reason and also damage, question of the court follows: warranted $2,000, that this whatever proof plaintiff’s and could think aas private his contention a court assignment, judgment.” connection. We of this proposition, that the this means of a upon appellant, is as follows: less sum than have called only same, this alleges There damages record plaintiff action on proper him the sum showed judgment as a case proposition. that it can- without evi- and the face measure of be used for this court as sawmill opinion was testimony demurrer, plaintiff’s that there because for that of facts property is noth- that that exactly because in this: reserv- propo- or cor- meas- state- failed done, dam- over- trial at a then does have base this spe- im- the ruled. did at- in take for existing not made therein shall libel, publishers. trial court is affirmed. defense out This any penal mitigation, a in this ment, its fact for the decision of the proposition. proposition. We have examined the record and boiler at time it plaintiff plaintiff out the is ence demand the consideration of the same are trial certainty, (Court and also at ance dence in the' plaintiffs, dence.” ond court KOEHLER v. DUBOSE Privilege. “The “The court This defense, This The fifth [4] Libel justice, Jan. contrary affected effect, return to Act libel. defense the time it was plaintiff, time difference impartial proof away assignment at the time of its proposition case, in authorizes' court could was The and have concluded that was of Civil appellant’s brief, court erred was tendered overruled. 27th value of the case assignment assignment to make assignment, failed it was turned over and Slander the basis what privilege to so because etc., any Held, 1918. On of actual what fourth enabled to assignment testimony, Leg. because the be construed determined in account of We think that appellee, the time of the lease erred in overruled. between the value of the privilege, and does not limit Appeals inquiry touching existing assignment presents shall record provides on the completely.” Jan. its value was at the time of no reversible error connection except evidence c. out his case determine, in assignment it is made the definition publication proof error and not based on machinery is also submitted as malice, rendering judgment value back Motion for newspaper entirely of Texas. San upon defense to subject returned rendering judgment and show and the court relative deemed &wkey;>34— delivery also determine the differ- 1918.) of error is: judgment of the court of certain matters in necessarily disposes action for to amend et the truth shall be judgment which the trial al. submitted with reasonable trial far as this this this by of error too libel, including same is in such that Rehearing, judgment a civil Defenses preserves (No. this libel, duty question assignment court, court, and in this machinery matter of and at the appellant, libel with- preponder- in a court fair, periodical testimony appellee. Antonio. 5937.) pointed having, the evi- assign- nor to for the of the defines repeal engine error, is: as a over- true,, evi- at — Digests Key-Numbered topic KEy in all and Indexes see same -NUMBER For other cases *2 KOEHLER v: DUBOSE n — <&wkey;36 <&wkey;>220 Construction—Legis- 8. Libel and Slander Absolute Statutes — Privilege Privileged. lative —Matters Construction. privilege against liability Acts amended Absolute art. as for Rev. St. bodies, legislative Leg. 206, providing extends to 85th c. any judicial military repeal proceedings, title shall construed to amend and and naval of- subject penal take to nor ficers. law away any existing for a — defense to civil action &wkey;>41 9. Libel and Qualified Slander otherwise, all Privilege Privileged but that libel at common law — Matters. expressly preserved, thereby is such not a deprived but are privilege Qualified extends to communi- prior legislative that the law construction upon any subject-matter cations defenses, , defendants party of common-law communicating interest, an ref- or in apparently cure failure enacted to duty person erence to which he a hav- has a to prior a of the of the ing codifiers to include corresponding duty, a em- interest or and law Statutes. duty Revised legal cases braces where the is not a imperfect a but one of moral character or an <&wkey;19 3. Libel and Slander —Construction obligation. Language “Erequent.” Used — — <&wkey;100(7) 10. Libel and Slander Privi- petition against remonstrating a Where lege-Necessity Alleging and Prov- granting liquor aof new license to a saloon ing Malice. keeper frequented place, stated minors qualifiedly privi- aWhere communication experience difficulty finding and to seemed no leged, prima the inference of is rebutted malice buy liquor some one who would for facie, party complain- it and devolves conveyed the idea that innuendo allege prove to and malice. liquor keeper guilty selling saloon to minors <&wkey;38(l) Privilege 11. Libel and Slander pertinently reasonably arose from — Proceedings. —Judicial “frequent” charge, the a or mean it at to since ,St. 7435, 7436, requiring Under Rev. arts. often, means to resort to often visit to applicants liquor apply for to to the licenses habitually, frequent a saloon to comptroller public permit, accounts for a the minors it and entered remained they authorizing permit him to then issue a which is merely pleasure, and not assem- judge, authorizing county filed -with vicinity messengers sent bled in the for the revoke to under certain circumstances a selling liquor, especially agent knowingly habitually as the licenses, petition comp- filed with convey liquor the idea that the protesting against troller issued to a saloon new license sold be used minors. keeper privileged not definitions, [Ed. Note.—For other see Words judicial proceeding, a communication a made in Phrases, Series,. First Fre- and Second of the statements are therein quent.] guilty of libel if the accusations made in bad faith and with malice. — &wkey;>15 4. Libel and Slander Actionable ” <&wkey;36rPrivileged 12. Libel and Slander W — obds —Statutes—‘ ‘Libel. open petition Communications —Petitions to the Gov- to the construction that charge keeper selling liquor ernment. a saloon absolutely privileged Such a knowingly agents, exposed minors their because public hatred, contempt, ridicule, federal and him to government injury, Leg. Constitutions for financial within Act 27th c. grievances; griev- a 1, defining tending redress “libel” aas defamation government against sought injure reputation thereby ances cor- person, to be of a public expose or hatred, ridicule, rected communication. contempt, him to injury, Privileg- etc. <&wkey;36, financial Libel and Slander 41 — — ed [Ed. .Note.—For other Communications Petitions see Words definitions; Phrases, Government. Series, First Libel.] and Second appli- comp- 7435, requiring Rev. Under St. art. liquor apply 5. Libel for cants and Slander Construction licenses Language public permit, troller of a Used. accounts and to petition remonstrating against showing applicant Where a the file an affidavit liquor granting stated that keeper license to saloon not violated ing sell- laws boys tempted drink, minors, providing etc., minor to students or permit this meant a innuendo violation the issuance shall be filed allowing liq-. purchase intoxicating judge, requiring them with the article county judge a fair one. set uors was application give hearing thorizing granting izing notice of the au- the &wkey;>19 6. Libel and Slander —Construction property certain owners to contest Language Used. license, and article author- petition remonstrating statements licenses, to revoke there is against granting license statutory justification cir- (cid:127) liquor, able to minors were tempted that defendant sold them sold it to their charges obtain and were culating comptroller protest- drink, being open to the construction ing against of a new license to liquor, knowingly keeper expiration months saloon persons agents, making license, application his for in lutely in a time when no escape effects their of they pending, charges a new there- language by lieved stating also therein that be- keeper against the saloon abso- neither keeper -place tried to run saloon qualifiedly privileged, especially nor they according blame that special and that laid no justifying par- communications cases between him; impossible to conceive subject-matter, privilege interested in a ties habitually mi- obtained apparently apply does not when the communica- discovering the seller nors without the fraud- published tions are and others not interested al- acquainted contents, to become lowed with'their <&wkey;51(l) 7. Libel and Slander —Absolute by circulating Privilege is done and obtain- —Effect of Malice. ing signatures any persons desiring defense, regardless Absolute sign it. malice, privileged- cases is- since in the interest of considered all sentiments welfare that Appeal Court, from District Medina Coun- permitted to should be utter R, ty; Judge. Burney, H. speak thoughts freely fearlessly. Action Walter Koehler W. L. Key-Numbered Digests topic oiher see cases KEY-NUMBER in all Indexes <8nroFor REPORTER 200 SOUTHWESTERN young operated this and men of ruin and debauch others. From Dubose and defendants, age yet section, of tender while appeals. plaintiff Reversed temptation to drink withstand the unable to remanded. minority. on account of their *3 maintaining pride an extra “We ourselves in Biclsett, of Long & Davis & and Ward good school, saloon in the the fact to be but aver Hondo, Blocker, Antonio, of San and V. H. large a our efforts measure counteracts Hertzberg appellant. and Kercheville & undoes the in the direction of education and work our of school. Antonio, Harris, Mack San all of O. O. lay special man no the who “We blame Ply, Kercheville, Devine, of & De Montel of operates run the same place, the tries to for we believe he R. Mar- L. Hondo, and and John T. Briscoe law, owing according to to present appellees. Devine, as- shall, fact that are the there no of officers both practice him, un- for certain sist common scrupulous persons buy damages deliver and PLY, a suit for J. This O. owing young liquor they all the and minors to the inherent hell want against by appellant L. Dubose W. stituted commodity in sold the dam- the It was and 66 others. ages hoped proffer proud men whom their fortnight laid at had mothers citizens, good publication circula- and are state and nation as arose from the and wretches converted into drunken general A instruments. tion of written feet. special exception sus- demurrer against li- a new “Wherefore we remonstrate petition. pres- expiration being tained to at the of cense issued appel- by signed ent one. instrument The first Lytle, Texas, our hands at “Witness this signed. The lees, not other was and the day October, D. 16th of A. 1916.” signed follows: is as document copied into The two instruments were Comptroller, Terrell, State B. Hon. H. “To the them. and libel was declared Austin, Texas: instruments, con- or of taxpayers If either citizens, undersigned, “We, the men, including doc- families, matter, business demurrer heads of tain libelous school-teachers, lawyers, ministers, tors, residents peti- sustained, for the not have been Texas, county, Devine, Medina of necessary every allegation tion contains against remonstration to file want employing action, cause of some granting er, and county. Koehl- establish the to Walter a license of new county operates Bexar Bexar saloon a line on arising pertinent from innuendoes stated as just lines, county inside Atascosa publications papers. of the Twenty-Seventh Legislature In 1901 the place is within eleven submit that “We police town, or passed there is no our and that miles of protection is from over the first civil libel law ever enacted place the saloon near the where Texas; prior in to that time the common place frequent operated; that minors only cases, guide in law ex libel county great section this publications cept experience difficulty finding in so far as certain some seem one buy liquor for them. who will by Legislature, penalized having on ac- trouble in our school “We imputation chastity to fe of want of boys temptation that are count of Range, male. Hatcher v. 98 81 Tex. among young S. school, men who are whom 289; Tribune, from to our sent here distance school. v. Galveston W. Guisti fact to be further aver the “We 150 S. constantly brawls, happening fights are and near the over which hundreds of route to held, so, properly has and we think highway saloon, comprehend pass people enacted the law of 1901 was have to en ,San Antonio, occasionally there subject entire libel and embrace the by men; drunken murders committed causes, prec without reference to rules or civil boy recently only slashed from this town was cut only in this other states. edents or Not there, does by drunken Mexicans live; expected he is not lives of wounds the statute cover all actionable cases of libel pass necessity children who must of women and rights state, given but it in this to those danger. there are subjects who are the not accorded against a li- remonstrate “Wherefore we new expiration pres- the common to them law. The cense ent one. issued at (Acts 26), Leg. in 1901 27th as enacted e. day at Devine this the 16th “Dated Oc- follows, omitting emergency clause r tober, D. 1916. A. expressed A1. libel is defamation “Section “Respectfully submitted.” writing, printing signs pictures, or or Signed W. L. Dubose and 66 other defend- tending memory drawings, blacken the or the one who is ants. tending injure reputation dead, or unsigned is as instrument follows: thereby alive, expose pub- him Terrell, Comp- hatred, contempt ridicule, H. State “To the Honorable B. lic or financial in- troller, Austin, impeach integrity jury, virtue or the pose financial honesty, Texas: or to reputation any one, publish citizens, taxpayers undersigned “We, any thereby including natural ex- families, men, defects business doc- heads of person public hatred, lawyers ministers, tors, school-teachers, ridicule or resi- take injury. Lytlq, county, Texas, Atascosa dents of In in the defendant “Sec. to file this our remonstration leave evidence, specially give pleaded, in one Walter new Koehler exemplary punitive mitigation damages, county operates line saloon Bexar on the who and county just the circumstances the libelous intentions under which lines Atascosa inside Bexar publication made, on the Laredo-San Antonio road. line apology, place public and The truth of such tion. correction or retraction made is within a mile submit “We complained town, place published him of the libel of. half of our little whatever; police protection the statement or statements that our minor boys will finding publication shall be defense to such ac- some have no trouble one who buy and that them KOEHLER v. DUBOSE following gave publication mat- definition fully held that the of periodical, “See. 3. newspaper defined ters state, of libel covering that could this used shall be deemed section subject. de- matter any action for made the basis shall sufficiency fenses was not considered. The proof malice. actual libel without impartial fair, only question the the account of true and “L A was the justice, proceedings court unless in a court Supreme Case, and Court Guisti same, publication prohibits preservation of the statute as to the court the ends of when justice of common-law adverted not be the same should demand that orders; published, official language, the court so to or discussed. We hold that the ad- authorized “Nothing in act be construed shall the law. ministration of * * * any existing away take defense impartial fair, of all “2. true account n *4 action,” preserved legislative ato civil secured that are executive and including reports record, of of made a matter legislative committees, Legislature they defendants all defenses as common existed any of debate may except law, they far as committees. libel in affected the definition of be pub- fair, impartial A true and account of “3. pub- organized meetings, and conducted first section of the act. To hold that no one lic only. purposes lic can the benefit of defense of fair comment or criti- “4. reasonable except privileged publishers communication public of acts officials and cism of the official of neigh cause man advises his would bor as to the character and who published public matters of concern general ability information. aof doc “,Sec. Nothing in construed 4. act shall be this servant, tor, lawyer, merchant, workman, or repeal penal law on the sub- to amend or ject or affecting to matters who testifies as witness away any libel, existing of nor to take de- act another, of libel, character this action nor shall fense affect after be prior to civil may pending, or that here- suits now judge opinion, renders an to be without arising brought upon a cause of against a suit It cannot defenses for libel. taking act.” effect of this Legislature be intended assumed that condition, plain lan create and the it is distinct [1] In section 4 of that s guage clearly provided existing ly desire of the statute evidence that certain by provide against any things such condition of affairs. be matters and shall not affected judges opinions specified. act, The In of render the case each matter enacted, second, penal libel, and and 1901 the law of was as ed since first laws time, occurring libel, the under facts since that to civil actions for defenses questions third, arising law asked of a witness as to before the cases they attorney, provision been held it has If clear was enacted. to privileged penal equally s v. statutes, Allen to were communications. it clear i Earnest, 1101; Kruegel 145 W. v. Cock ever S. in civil No cases. defenses questioned rell, would 151 S. W. 352. These decisions fact did the law upon penal laws, rest no have which to no foundation can be affect and there privileged existing communica the common law as doubt that defenses theretofore destroyed by tions been the statute. affected had civil actions for libel are no more Legislature penal [2] In enacted 1917 of Texas. It would than are the laws 1901, is arti thfe law of amendment to seem that no other reasonable construction placed 1901, of the Revised Civil Statutes cle 5598 of of could be while g 1911, of aside all other definitions follows: settin Nothing libel, Legislature title “Art. shall be con- common- retained the repeal any penal amend or on the strued to law all law defenses as well for the citizens as subject * * * away any libel, nor of to take now newspapers periodicals. of existing civil heretofore defense to a imagine plead We cannot ing of at common law or action for wise, either other- hereby express- proving all such defenses are that an ly preserved.” privileged away from matter has been taken except newspaper periodical to more all publishers, The effect that amendment was citizens authority defenses, pro explicitly reserve common-law been to> case. the be of it cannot be deemed duced which holds that Such an is the enactment directly legislative law construction be deprived had of common- of the statute. It that no such of 1901 defendants face is clear holding that the amendment v. Light either in Walker law defenses. made Co., part App. 165, the fact that the Pub. 555, 30 Tex. 70 W. was enacted to meet Civ. S. Tribune, 1901 was not Guisti v. the act of as to defenses Galveston 105 In Stat- Tex. each ering 152 W. 167. in the Revised S. the codifiers serted consid of those courts were cases fact that utes 1911. The standpoint question question from stat- was omitted act plaintiff, the fendant. and not from might the de create confusion the codifiers utes They defining rights portion belief and lead to the plaintiffs Legislature under repealed, and not the law defenses had been guaranteed by expedient the law. Case In the Walker remove deemed it essential passing propriety the court the matter. We in connection with all doubts sustaining the action of the trial court in the enactment no time since that at hold proper demurrer and .it 1901 has the law of 200 S.W.—16 200 SOUTHWESTERN REPORTER grant, revoke, toxicating ments were lic of stantly reiterating at Csesar’s funeral. possible minors pleading, counts, habitually raised it as paper attempts er innuendoes set forth in the run direct man,” used injure pose sent exception, although against appellant, also a fair one that Raw ly the ment by an that committed deducible which that boys they liquor chase circumstances, idea that cule, frequent ing liquor ably violation of To to resort section of this no the “Minors [6] The innuendo that this [3-5] In the first documents crime was stated that matter, difficulty finding stating agent habitually the fraud. The frequent a remained the saloon murder, assaults, messengers him to arises Cr. Diet. by the can ground, methods, intoxicating the obtained from the schools were making they cannot financial the minors. The the saloon as R. saloon liquor for them.” escape language, frequent from the a whole to often or liquors second instrument p. obtained with reputation conception saloon addressed palliate mean public hatred, contempt, or ridi- has to that law in surrounding country, attempted by minors assembled in it at can be that: goes be according without the seller discover impunity 156 S. the effects of their was although libel. injury.” debauched refuse licenses in Texas. that the hut we robbed of that, keeper liquors. conveyed is that charges the liquor. deprived charge against by minors, effect was and also the power language being tempted pertinently would allowing attacked *5 pleasure, means knowingly and other crimes were and seem to some one place o'f charged authorities cited. habitually.” Black’s “He is an honorable charge in charge Berry excuse the citizens on to law. rallying place for set do not in minors entered the Roman orator saloon, charge The from the very contained convey The “to endeavoring by up upon only copied guilty them to and not mere- oí herein that fairly drawn sting who will conveyed the authority vicinity common-law through innuendo over innuendo in the use visit life sold the impression think the instru- public saloon. selling tended to demurrer experience It is State, meant a the idea the charges sold sell special reason- charge. instru- a person herein paper, in copied ilege. fairly often; great pub- boys con pur- also “ex- sell- oth- im buy ac- in (cid:127) To be be is fidavits or other not be made a cloak for be averred and must be is that "false accusations contained in af- tent that the in libel or plicable, course of They are: lutely exempts them is liable to an classes, witnesses for having Slander to rule their end the administration absolute Mass. 316. magistrates, privileged public policy, ter Metc.) 193; McLaughlin written can judicial proceedings;, but while commenced, courts made with in solutely protected, jects, ceedings, Newell, dom be allowed in the and accusations ing lute Libel, laws and the in named unless occasions or allowed to all management and ecclesiastical bodies. sentiments ceedings. could within the free “Proceedings It *has been The American The It [7, numerous judicial proceedings judges figure interest an privilege privilege, is fearlessly upon government 8] and no action for words so § preservation prosecutions by seem, In instruments hand. Slander held that jurisdiction slander, investigation, & should be pertinent, or made justice, proceedings, judicial in connection is the same as matter is founded Libel, 550, purview express country and list as is the instances communications, defamatory language of all referees, municipal, former manner of construction stated that the American rule punishment extends and the are two Hoar military & proved. persons in the with judges, legislativebodies,judicial pro- speak rule sustained, although are not extended great it is Libel, but be classed as judicial proceedings by of good declared permitted liability proceedings having malice. This class the end class v. of as to absolute question to all rights the execution making relevant, it used English, second essentially necessary latitude of 505§ other supposed parties, counsel, classes qualified Wood, and naval officers.” Such either of the cases authorities in note. private malice, divided has been questions words must be faith matter. Newell, v. welfare if inquiries of in an action for cases that thoughts in et party making papers offenders, affidavits can- the first to utter actual of malice cuts qualified priv absolutely it. England, the course of justice. Cowley, considered 44 Mass. conduct view of hav- are not judicial seq. which abso in to the mat the rule crimes into complaints great spoken reviewed. tribunals privileged held that broad, speech is this case Cases and sub military, Sian. Newell, regular malice courts. falsely freely three come abso free- In a pro- are the ab- ex ap all (3 & y. KOEHLER DUBOSE 243- be an hold a cial investigation liquors, Even. such might malice ty est or ilege communications which terest, a acter of on which judge E. that comptroller stitution ized to in this connection Iowa, is authorized state, to ute the cation Articles held that would facie, ferences, 87 Atl. ceeding. munication could in the quasi ing, and that judicial attempt would be unconstitutional and void. party,' Ashcroft v. Goodlet same, cant, if satisfied cumstances, revoke the license to sell which conferred ed W. ty ceedings in a Railway complaining legal one, The [11] [9,10] perform to a 1117; owed powers, addressed revocation or embraces revocation or refusal of license. i£ the duty, 730, administrative judicial, 4s one highest dignity or that rebut the inference to subject-matter person 727, issue the comptroller, upon or has the 10 R. A. 7435, 7436, powers imperfect Qualified privilege communication addressed comptroller either to the v. v. held for libel if he is Flanagan however. if an That officer is cannot sell the he upon the acts 141 it would party then the any judicial L. made in is a the communication was' the communications can be class- the executive but where it is of a Hammond, under which he reference to 88 Shannon, being as to to resembling a charges intoxicating liquors enumerated mentioned having N. W. 463. for the sale and we Atl. cases attempt ministerial, paper upon any issue upon quasi Civ. allege license. Either the no communicating that he is entitled parties consistently would be to class is that separated by refusal to be obligation. power parties 96; Rev. Stats. good faith, county judge devolve constitutional may, officer (N. where the App.) McLane, he which is communicat- that could even seller filed the 100 Tex. act. doubt judicial was made to confer corresponding permit Ott v. which he placed S.) 681; only ground, then, prompted receiving an department under certain powers given subject-matter comptroller, such in a judicial proceed- N. T. 145 S. of malice with classed as the Under extends to grant a license be shown grant prove party make to be liquor, 87 Conn. The occasion Murphy, intrinsic’dif- judicial were drawn not intoxicating actuated moral char duty It has been right comptroller private an interest quasi possibly be proceeding, pursue is author contended Baldacchi has a du the authority accounts ed to another the Con the stat judicial, them seeking liquors. malice. to the an in county 100 S. is not under dicial prima 90 N. documents retail, inter appli appli party made with- the a du- third judi- priv com- gain pro pro- cir 160 the the the in the communications addressed as malice by repeated injury.” pellant. ed to a of demand, est, the grievances.” the federal “the petition *6 injuries the declaration in the acter or able common Constitution of § izen, although addressed to an officer of the ances, remonstrance.” tected in the case. in its been when the made was who convict, the cure against tack the motives and assail the state, citizens have was also dress as to was held to be shield case of assaults cise of some “The 27), To [12] It The protect cited that good the Declaration petition given by bad faith and and powers English king government communications petition statements petition. kept manner, liberty state officer people tried the sum proceeding, character. repeated petitions which recites: but in citizens shall have the attacks right may protected. Upon Connellee v. citizen good, faith malign parties making other inflicted petition is contended that under citizens who up the a criticism of the district Constitution mentioned government was drawn for the governmental have actuated those view will sustain the addressed libel of which one of the government government to assemble and without actual malice. purposes,by having The Constitution every the governmental agency general object private of libel Constitution, always upon private reputations the acts of the individual cit- will Texas is cause. The communication- peaceably for a petition, guarded of court said: was that The apply has been sustained it has- by governmental and matter, absolute governmental were not made in a accusations were made clear that Blanton, instance in which the- The first amendment to- some re- was to obtain licentiousness. the state Constitution privileged. right Independence sought redress of Bill of no matter to the characters. to those invested with reserves the guilty corresponding grievances malice towards by judicial for redress of founded those for a together acts or the exer- assemble and to was not right, attack the char- was not contention communication complaint to be Governor, had answered redress conclude Rights of libel declarations, by appellees Anglo-Saxon citizens, pardon seeks to proceedings redress howi much redress of. publishing, grievances address, or- (article acts of set forth agencies the two No preserv given right petition- In the- of the- to at- inter- peace- judge “only griev- given right right casé- pro- was- ap- ju- se- 01- to- 1, a. (Ter. REPORTER 200 SOUTHWESTERN 244 judge judicial the ing for hear- “If shall set same culminated absolutely privileged, conviction aat time not 10 nor more than less than immunity why extended should not be days same, filing * * * judg- higher power annul that to a petition being required is filed shall that notice of part?” ment in given, the substance there- with application was one The criticism the door, of, by posting on the courthouse government, of a redress branch of the inspection petition open shall sought Ap- branch. from another property certain owners pellees ask: granting That license. contest you judge a a “If could libel a district provided Governor, you is the method how comptroller?” saloonman in a contesting license issuance totally different, liquor. because The two sell Rev. Stats. Article grievance against redress There in the statute to indicate government, contemplated and the other branch of the that residing ever it was against country surrounding think the dif- an individual. We loca- apparent. justified ference None of the decisions and au- tion a saloon would be by appellees cited We think the case of sustain contention. to a a communication thorized to circulate state expiration Wren, officer, Belo the time for months applicable Y22, correctly the law decides which is fixed license case, petitions knowledge by law, hold that of which by appellees charged, expiration parties those circulated character of time of absolutely privileged. motives, are not which communication against gov- grievance business, conducting no manner of sought community com- be corrected forth ernment are set dire results and the comptroller, request no munication made that other the, granted complaint his his act or that of dealer when shall be license expires. government, present re- No action was branch of the quested right given by and state Constitu- federal this instance justi- shall does not authorize or the license months afterwards when tions comp- expire fy asked to take action. the communication addressed signers pertinent troller, the communication consult it is presume revok- had statutes ing year liquors intoxicating to more than a half afterwards sell licenses to *7 endeavoring would swear falsehoods any authority given ascertain if there is permit comptroller, justify pa- obtain a even that that per the circulation a would signers he desire continue would citizen for a is attack- which engaged. revo- traduced. The two circulated he was No ed and his character which business sought desired, papers evidently promiscu- cation of the license requested, community, presum- present ously able relief but and it antici- many sign pating in the future a false saw it who refused to months application perjured would for a new license either for one intended a cer- comptroller, any locality signatures the' be filed office of failed tain to obtain charges grave filled struments whatever. counties, provided circulated in the dealer were article Rev. [13] It comptrol- Statutes, any person desiring sent to the a months afterward to obtain shall, liquor before ler. retail dealer’s comptroller By given license, ap filing petition article 7436 the make his for such liquor licenses, revoke comptroller oath to the Iilication public apply person leading permit information is indicated accounts of state a may through obtained se- such revocation cret information from the license. In that affidavit the any one; provision required has not swear he prevent regard liquor made to the disclosure of the the laws in violated nothing statute, selling informer. There is if a justify selling, mi to students or such as sought, had which revocation been would nors, permitting latter to re enter and defamatory business; the circulation mat- main in the as to the comptroller. Upon closing saloon, to the There is ter addressed hours of others. receiving affidavit, authorizing which is out in in the statutes of Texas set comptroller statute, the, publication justifying signing full after shall, filing upon pay publications by ap- satisfied such are declared permit, which, together $2, pellant. issue the ment of with a application, copy justifying shall be filed In cases communications be- judge. Upon filing parties with person desiring both tween of whom interested pe subject-matter, license shall in contemplated it does not file a and shall seem be required by article tition as: that the communication should required party, certain statements him make self, as to be made to but the interested permit publish- when the with the such communications and when comptroller and affidavit from is filed the ed interested and others allowed to be- INDEMNITY CO. WESTERN v. BERRY acquainted petitions with their come contents Had the been then circulated and placed privilege comptroller character of is removed and before the at a time when request Libel, Newell, pending libel fixed. Sian. & a status of for a license was officer, § or if had made provides presented procure revocation, for the a dif- a grants permit, presented. satisfied before he ferent case would have been might agree appellant's liquor no doubt citizen with oth- revocation license was up sought, applica- each ers to draw would not and he had made no sign, present liquor. peti- in order tion for a license to sell prevent permit just pertinent, the issue to a man to applj'ing tions would have been petitioners for the same and the communica- the would have had the same plead privilege, but that tion would he would be proceeding from running grocery a different store of a instead community saloon, is circulated appellees had conceived the idea signatures any persons obtained from might desir- that he some time the future sign it, assailing character and ac- desire excerpt license. This answers the applied of a citizen for a who has tions Cyc. 389, from 25 and the other au- might apply. never Privi- license and- point thorities are not in that are cited leged cannot be extended to communications motion. All of them are in dangerous Suppose appellant extent. petitions reports pending on matters be- applied license; had not for another lawfully fore constituted authorities. injury to him been inflicte'd on In order to remove doubt to some imaginary having of facts foun- opinion, used our former singular dation It would be a whatever. hold that the communications circulated say him, rule that would that as he appellees' absolutely qualifiedly were not apply for a license he he libeled with privileged, and that defense impunity. defamatory matter that contained may strip The method of communication privilege matter, them is truth of such i a into a libel. of its character and transform it rehearing The motion for is overruled. Publicity, unnecessary and un- circumstances, may destroy- called for lay open'to publisher English libel. Thus in an case it speech that a was held made a member WESTERN et al. INDEMNITY CO. absolutely privileged, 5946.) of Parliament was (No. BERRY. speech printed if the circulated (Court Appeals Antonio. of Texas. San Civil & Li- would he libelous. Newell on Slander bel, 1918.) Jan. subd. is stated to bo the Municipal that, Corporations Legislature rule while a <&wkey;705(12)Jitney — Liability Surety Busses — of Owner pertinent relevant Injuries. absolutely publication privileged, others, *8 city effect, ordinance, provided aWhere Legis- not members of the put owner’s an- servant bus jitney lature, privileged. man in his from Newell, without is not & Slander owner, the owner should suffer for such sub- Libel, seem, therefore, It would negligence, passengers rather than the stitute’s comptroller, properly if the give bond, public, required the owner to handled, jitney surety have been lost on his the owner of bond injuries pedestrian liable for privileged by being published character sidewalk, injured by the condition of defective throughout community. operated by for one who the bus when the driver The truth of the matter the operated percentage the car for the owner on basis, nance tain schedules day, guarantee by appellees with a the ordi- $2.50 documents circulated a would be requiring operation of the bus on cer- complete defense to action for libel. penalty forfeiture of Stats, 559-6; Light Rev. art. San Antonio Pub. percentage license, operator on a Lewy, App. 22, Co. 574; Civ. him at had to secure some one relieve basis meal times. App.) Wheless v. Davis Civ. 12 alleging S. W. 929. Of course the burden Court, Appeal District Bexar Coun- proving the truth the statements in Minor, Judge. ty; B.R. upon ap- two instruments would rest Berry T. Suit C. Western pellees. Canet, Indemnity Company, M. and another. judgment reversed, and the cause plaintiff, Erom a the defendant remanded. company appeal. and Canet Affirmed. Rehearing. On Motion for Turner, & Terrell Terrell and Jno. all defamatory Antonio, appellants. Perry of Lewis, J. statements made San Carter, Champe petitions by appellees Carter, H. circulated G-. were not C. Carter, published license, prevent Antonio, Randolph L. of San revoking purpose appellee. or for the one. Key-Numbered Digests topic <g=^For other cases in all Indexes see KEY-NUMBER

Case Details

Case Name: Koehler v. Dubose
Court Name: Court of Appeals of Texas
Date Published: Jan 2, 1918
Citation: 200 S.W. 238
Docket Number: No. 5937.
Court Abbreviation: Tex. App.
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