A LIBEL

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1932, Page 7

A LIBEL

PUBLISHER SENTENCED. (United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) MONTREAL, December 27. Thre o months’ gaol wag imposed to-day by Chief Justice Green, s hi e lds, on James J. Harpell, publisher, who wag found guilty by a jury here, ou a charge of publishing a defamatory libel about T. B. Macaulay, President of th P Sun Life Assurance Co. Harpell gavi & notice of appeal, and was granted bail in 6000 dollars.

The statements complained of appeared in a magazine, the “Journal of Commerce.” and a book called “In dustry. Commerce. and Finance.” Harpell was ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution. “Not a scintilla of proof was produced to prove this state,m e nt,” the Judge said, before .sentencing, in referring to Harpell’s statement during the trial, that Macaulay was a crook, thief, and swindler.

Referring to the published accusat;or« the Judge, said: “Tb r 'rc was no justification for the publication of tlr's atrocious libel against a man who has occupied an honovablp position in Montrea' business for half a century. I want this sort of thing stopped.” After mentioning that the jury had recommended clemency, th e Judge said it was to the credit of English law that vengeance had disappeared from it. The “eye for an eye” viewport had rrome. Two things only now .'were considered in sentences > one was the remedial effect on the sinner, and th e other was th G protection of society. A man who published a defamatory libel was a dangerous man.