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33 Conn. 335

Barber v. Barber

Supreme Court of Connecticut

Decided March 15, 1866

Supreme Court of Connecticut · decided 1866-03-15

Action of Slander. The first count alleged that the slanderous words, which were a charge that the plaintiff was a prostitute, were spoken on the 6th day of March, 1864. Several other counts alleged the speaking of other slanderous words at different times. Before the trial the plaintiff moved to amend by adding two other counts, alleging the speaking on the 1st day of May, 1864, of different words, but which charged the plaintiff substantially with being a prostitute.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently April 1950

2 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1866-03-15

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Park, J.

¶1It is unnecessary to consider whether the amendment would change the cause of action, provided it appeared that the two last counts were based upon transactions distinct from that set forth in the first count, for we are satisfied it appears on the record that they ¿11 count upon one transaction. It is true that the time alleged in-the first count differs from that set forth in the amendment, but the time is not material, and therefore no importance attaches to this circumstance. The record states that the court below allowed the two last counts to be added to the declaration by way of amendment to the first count, as different modes of alleging the cause of action set forth in that count. From this it appears that the court confined the amendment to the transaction described in the first count, and if so the case is clearly within the statute of amendments. The substantial charge in all these counts is that the plaintiff was a prostitute, and the counts differ only in the language used by the defendant in making the charge. This course is usually pursued in cases of this kind for purposes of safety, for it is necessary that the words spoken should have the same import as those alleged, and hence the practice of setting forth the charge in different counts, in different phraseology, in order to avoid a fatal variance between the proof and the declaration.

¶2The remaining question is in regard to the admission of evidence that the defendant was a man of large property in order to enhance the damages.

¶3This question is well settled in this state in accordance with the action of the court, and we have no disposition to adopt a different rule. Bennett v. Hyde, 6 Conn., 26 ; Case v. Marks, 20 Conn., 250.

¶4There is no error in the judgment complained of, and no cause for a new trial.

¶5In this opinion the other judges concurred.

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