the result of these labours to some miraculous inspiration. As any one of experience knows, the formation of these committees was perhaps the most important step of the year, either to promote the general good or the strengthening the hands of the mayor, or someone else, bent on dominating the council. [...] written words which expose the plaintiff to hatred, contempt, ridicule and obloquy [...] They amount to allegations of disgraceful and corrupt conduct by the plaintiff and of grave and wilful breaches of the trust committed to him as an alderman in consciously and deliberately participating in the misuse of public moneys.