Sketcher. Hush-Money.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1902, 13 September 1884, Page 6

Sketcher. Hush-Money.

Out of the countless variety of evil-doers who thrive upon the misfortunes of their fellowcreatures, and are enabled to gain a means of livelihood by the folly and timidity of their dupes, one class above all others seem to conduct their depredations with much success, on account of the defenceless position of the unhappy individuals upon whom they prey. We allude to those who make it their business to levy what is termed " hush-money." There are innumerable miscreants who thrive upon the possession of some discreditable secret or family skeleton, which throws a desolating blight over many a life, to all appearance surrounded by every comfort and luxury wealth can command. Scoundrels of this description, secure in the helplessness of their victims, pursue with impunity their merciless system of extortion, being well aware that the terror of exposure is so great, that silence will be purchased at any price. If persons who are threatened by ruffians of this kind with exposure of some private matter, were once and for all to refuse to pay one penny for the silence of these extortioners, how much misery would be avoided ! Each instalment of hush-money only serves to whet the appetites of these social harpies. It is infinitely preferable to face boldly at first the worst, no matter of how serious a nature, than to supply blackmail for the purchase of what can never be security. The majority of malefactors are cowards at heart, although a craven nature is in such cases concealed often by bluster and braggadocio. It therefore becomes all the more important at once to withstand their infamous importunities. The ordinary observer, while reading in some sensational novel the evil deeds and extortion perpetrated by the class of knaves who subsist on hush-money, would be inclined to attribute them to romance. It is, however, well known to those who have had experience in criminal matters, that the novelist's fertile imagination pales before stern reality. Innocent persons have been threatened with an accusation of some infamous crime, and at the same time money has been demanded as the price of silence. The dread caused b'y even an accusation of such a nature has often, unfortunately, induced persons bo situated to accede to extortionate demands. There are plenty of mauvais sujets hovering about society who make it their business to become intimate with the private history of those upon whose infirmities they intend to trade. Not many years since, a notable instance of this oo ourred. A gentleman in a high social position was ruthlessly assailed and socially ruined by a miscreant, who traded upon the possession of some information of a dubious nature reflecting discredit upon his wife. For a lengthened period this gentleman had paid considerable sums of money for the silence of his persecutor; at last, however, driven to

desperation by continued and increased demands for hush-money, he preferred" rather to fac.3 a public trial than continue longer subject to such ty Ptiuy nhd extortion. The following r.pt illustration of blackmailing which came under the wiilei'a personal cognisance, will ahow the rascality in vogue amongst these wretches. A wealthy merchant was for some years completely in the power of a thorough-paced scoundrel who had previously been in his employ. This knavo became acquainted with a delicato family matter, which, if disclosed, could but email shame and misery upon his late employer. He threatened to make this information public unless well paid for his silence. This gentleman, although surrounded by every luxury, was in truth a thoroughly miserable man. Living in a constant state of fear ie&t his family skeleton should be revealed in all its hideousnesd, he continued from time to time to supply his tormentor with lf.rge sums oil money.' The continual mental strsin caused his health to give way, until at last he wisely determined to consult nig legal idvviev upon what was the bane of his life. Prompt steps were then taken, which for ever ireed him from tuither extortion. Theno things daily happen, and yet, unfortunately, frequently remain unpunished. What can be more terrible than to exist in constant fear of pending ruin— entuely at the mercy <sf some miscreant, who by one word can destroy a hitherto stamlo^s reputa tion ! It is a tiue paying that " there is n skeleton in every house," and if discovered by any designing knavn, may be transformed into a sword of D'imoclpo. Confidential bcrvanta and discharged vi.'>t<. often wring Urge sumti fiom their forra'-r employer i by means o£ extortionate demand-) combined ,vitli threats of disclosing certain family matters calculated to bring ahame upon their Lit > master,^ or mistresses' good name. The payment of any illicit cteraand as a pi ice of seciecy rarely, if ever, permanently obtains the object in vi. j w, the donor being more or le^s in constant feac le»t a dwelosuro should take plr.cc. This usually transpires sooner or later, when tha toiturer has abstracted the uttermost penny from his victim. No greater delusion can possibly oxist than that " hush-money " will secure durable secrecy. Happily, however, the legislature, having in view th'o nefarious practises of such criminals, has provided a most potent xemedy against this class of robbers, which remedy cannot be too generally known. The Act of Parliament 24 and 2p Viet. s. 49, enacts, That whosocoer shall accuse or tin eaten any 'person with a view to ertorl money or valuable security, sli'dl be guilty ot Many, and be liable at the discretion of the court to be Kent m penal servitude for life, or for any tsrm not lesi> than five years. All demands for hush-money met at tha outset by firm and unyieiding refusal, in the best and only aourpe to adopt. In the majority of instances, a villain would at once be completely checkmated ; and even should h? venture to extremities}, the law is powerful enough to put an end to his shameful trade. Anything is better than to live in constant terror of exposure, and to be remorselessly plundered by such a vampire. We often hear of strange suicides, the reason for which is wholly incomprehensible. It is by no means amplifying that, at times, persons wanting in lesolution, are made desperate by a system of exquisite mental torture, when unmercifully, applied by these extortioners. Innumerable unhappy persons are unquestionably thus tormented, like Prometheus on his rock. Such anguish, although unseen, is far greater than physical suifeiing, as all mental tribulation is more severe than mere bodily pain. If any oue who is availed by a miscreant in quest of "hush-money " Mere at once to place the matter in the ham's of some respectable solicitor, a course of misery would be avoided, as any attempt to extort money through threats or otherwise comes clearly within the provisions of the Act above mentioned; and criminal proceedings will be found the mo3t eifectual means for exterminating so great a pest. — Chambers' Journal.