Stroebel v. Whitney

31 Minn. 384 | Minn. | 1884

Mitchell, J.

Action for defamation. The principle of common sense which now governs in the construction of words in such actions, is that courts will understand them as other people would. The question always is, how would ordinary men naturally understand the language ? It is going too far to argue that words must necessarily bear a criminal import, in order to render them actionable per se. It is not enough to show by ingenious argument that they might, possibly admit of some other meaning. The question is whether, in the ordinary acceptation of the language, a person could reasonably doubt its signification. Woolnoth v. Meadows, 5 East, 463. It is not necessary that the words should make the charge in express terms» They are actionable if they consist of a statement of facts which would naturally and presumably be understood by the hearers as a. charge of crime. Lewis v. Hudson, 44 Ga. 568; Proctor v. Owens, 18 Ind. 21; Walton v. Singleton, 7 Serg. & R. 449. We think the language used in this case, prima facia at least, imports a charge of fornication. Indeed, we can hardly conceive how the hearers could understand it in any other sense. As is said in Walton v. Singleton, supra, there is no offence which can be conveyed in so many multiplied forms and figures as that of incontinence. The charge is seldom made, even by the most vulgar and obscene, in broad and coarse language. In holding language actionable per se, as against a demurrer to the complaint, it does not necessarily follow, as appellant seems to argue, that he would be precluded from proving, or the jury from finding, that in the connection and under the circumstances in which they were used the words did not convey the meaning which they presumptively bear on their face.

Our views as to the construction of the words published render it unnecessary to consider the rule of pleading discussed by appellant.

Order affirmed.