DISAGREEABLE INTERVIEWS.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 86, 6 May 1882, Page 115

DISAGREEABLE INTERVIEWS.

In the turf column in last week's issue reference was made to the conduct of a person, who, under cover of a private letter, had addressed a communication to. the editor of one of pur contemporaries, designed to calumniate and injure the sporting contributor of the papei* referred to. On Monday a well-known turfite who appears to have fitted on the cap, entered our sanctum, and in a hectoring tone, demanded the name of the author of the paragraph in question. Not being disposed to gratify his curiosity, the request was not acceded to, and he was civilly informed that the editor assumed personal responsibility for the paragraph. Upon this the interviewer used some very strong language and threats, which led to his being immediately shown out. In spite of his emphatic denial that the letter was written, we are in aposition to assert in the most positive terms that every word of the paragraph was absolutely true —in fact did not go far enough. The writer appears to be unaware that in writing stich a com-, munication he has laid himself open" to a civil or criminal prosecution. No man deserves to be shielded who under the cloak of a communication marked "private," endeavours tp injure, the character and undermine the livelihood of a rival ; and iE our assertions are again challenged, we shall be compelled to speak a little more plainer, not only as to this matter, but some other equally questionable letters that have come to our knowledge.