Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1883 — GERMAN BLACKMAILERS. [ARTICLE]

GERMAN BLACKMAILERS.

Inier Ocean: America is by no means the only soil on whioh a blackmailing press c'i grow. On the contrary, imperial Germany has developed a first-class plant of that genus, and that, too, right under the nose of the venerable William and the inexorable Bismarck. Not long ago the German capital was cursed with the Beichsglocke, and later with a similar sheet, the Unabhanigige or Independent. The object of this weekly publication was to select the black sheep of the flock and shear them in public, then grab the timid, without regard to color, and threaten to dye them ebony and hold them up to the popular gaze in their sable hues. Family garrets were ransacked for discreditable heirlooms, and highly sensational reports were written up with great care as # to plausibility and regardless of facts. Those who came down handsomely were let off, those who did not were persecuted. As a matter of course, many a faint heart purchased immunity at a great price, and these “independent” journal-' ists throve and waxed fat. In one case 10,000 marks was the sum paid for silence. But this sort of thing could not go on forever. The public is a worm that may turn upon the heel of persecution. The prosecutor got after the gang. All but one were captured, tried, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary for terms varying from twelve months to six years. The Berliners breathe freer now that the Unabhanigige is no more. This country has a few Dick Turpins and Jack Sheppards who are better adapted to cell than sanctum.