Pease v. Bamford

Action of libel. The defendants were the selectmen of the town of Fayette, and the alleged libel was the publication in their town report, among the assets of the town, of these words: “Due from Louise Pease three dollars.” Among other defenses the defendants justified upon the ground that the words were true, which, if true, under the statute, B. S., c. 82, § 29, was a complete defense, “unless the publication is found to have originated in corrupt or malicious motives.” Pierce v. Bodliff, 95 Maine, 346.

There was evidence tending to show that the defendants, in their capacity as selectmen,…