McDermott v. Union Credit Co.
Supreme Court of Minnesota
Action in the district court for Ramsey county to recover $5,000' damages for libel. From an order, Bunn, J., overruling a demurrer to the complaint, defendant appealed. The meaning of the words cannot be enlarged by innuendo. Van Vechten v. Hopkins, 5 Johns. 211; Fry v. Bennett, 5 Sandf. 54. It is for the court to decide in the first instance whether the words are susceptible of the alleged innuendo.
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Action in the district court for Ramsey county to recover $5,000' damages for libel. From an order, Bunn, J., overruling a demurrer to the complaint, defendant appealed. The meaning of the words cannot be enlarged by innuendo. Van Vechten v. Hopkins, 5 Johns. 211; Fry v. Bennett, 5 Sandf. 54. It is for the court to decide in the first instance whether the words are susceptible of the alleged innuendo. Woodruff v. Bradstreet, 116 N. Y. 217; Greenwood v. Cobbey, 26 Neb. 449. The publication,, construed as a whole, would not be libellous per se even though defendant were a merchant or trader,…
1Opinion of the CourtMitchell, J.
This is an action for libel. Plaintiff alleges that he is an attorney at law, and as such engaged in the practice of his profession, and the complaint was evidently framed upon the theory that the alleged defamatory publication affected him in his profession or occupation as a lawyer. It appears from the complaint that the defendant was a commercial agency engaged in publishing and circulating among its subscribers, who are retail merchants, a book which purports to be
“A compilation of the actual experiences of business men in St. Paul respecting the worthiness of individuals to credit, based…
2Cited by21 opinions
- Anderson v. KammeierSupreme Court of Minnesota · 1977
- Judevine v. Benzies-Montanye Fuel & Warehouse Co.Wisconsin Supreme Court · 1936
- Stannard v. Wilcox & Gibbs Sewing MacHine Co.Court of Appeals of Maryland · 1912
- Dillard v. ShattuckNew Mexico Supreme Court · 1932
- Tawney v. Simonson, Whitcomb & Hurley Co.Supreme Court of Minnesota · 1909
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