Dever v. Montgomery

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Mason, J.:

Thomas Dever brought action against the publishers of a newspaper for damages on account of a statement printed therein with respect to his conduct as mayor.. A demurrer to his petition was sustained, and he appeals. '

No special damages were alleged, and no circumstances were set out such as to give to the language complained of any other than its ordinary effect. The question presented is whether the published article is libelous in itself, assuming it to be false. It is of that character if it tends to subject the plaintiff to disgrace,…