The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-10

ment has been Attempted IN fphdoesP"'os w. ''"
purpose OF preventing the sae IN that CITY oil jour
mails printed and published IN New York. 1t seems
that certap persons who have been onended win
the freedom snd Independence OF New York Jour-
nalism, have undertaken to arrest the agents and
ne wsboys, on charges OF libel, with the view o
de,errrp them from selling and circulating all
o.hrr journals from New York In that curious and
remark able city. A lew weeks ago, the Mayor OF
that city commen need this curious movement by
Inrerdctir g the distribution Of those journals on
the Sabbath day, basing his conduct principally
IN COED morals and Christian duty but il seems
hi. was merely the entering wedge to big bust
ness, which has been followed up since. against
several journals sent from New York for clrcula-
ton IN Philad. phia.
In aid Of this general movement, Judge Parsons,
of Ihst city, very amiable, worthy gentleman, we
believe, has taken the opportunity to deliver some
curious legal opinions on the subject of circulating
and selling newspapers. The Judge undertakes
TO say that all agents and news vendors are
equally Liable for the contents OF the journals which
they circulate and dispose OF, as the proprietor,
publisher. or editor. Now we undertake, on the
other hand, to BAY, that more illogical or illegal
decision never was made by any one pretending to
law. Such an opinion, at this day, 10 even hooted
at BY legal men IN England. Nor does such law
exist in any other State of this Union, where the
common law, or common sense, prevails. On such
principles, the post office department and the pos
tmasters, because they circulate and receive pos
tage tor newspapers all over the country, would be
equally liable in law tor their contents, with the
proprlelors or publishers. Judge Parsons, backed
even by all the police IN Pennsylvania, can no
more restrain, on strict legal principles, or make
an agent or news vender liable for the contents of
the joutna which he sells, than he can make the
pest Office department, or the postmaster tor
distributing them through their several offices -
The principle is revolving to common sense-an
sbsurdity on Its face. The act of arresting par
Gel OF he sboys tor selling paper, is precisely the
same in principle as the practice of the Austrian
and Russian governments In seizing journal hat
displeases them. 1t is an act OF despotism.
All those strange movements, which have re-
Gently been made in Philadel phia, against certain
journals in New York, originated, as we learn,
frem the searching and just exposures made by the
National Poe Gazette ef this city, and other like
journals, OF the terrible corruption OF The police
sy stem which has prevailed in our neighbonng
city tor many years past. 1t seems that the polio
system of Philadelphia is the most wicked, unprin.
cipI.d and corrupt that ever dlsgraced the muni-
clpal authorities of any city. The corruption of
the old United States Bank was venial in com.
parlson with the stories told and printed the M
t,OnaL Police Ga.ttte, of the shocking'y corrupt
and profigate police system Of Philadelphia. We
trust that those New York journals who have con.
ubu,ed to the exposure Of that intamons system,
aud shown to the world the terrible league be-
tween the police and thieves of all descriptions,
will not relax until they give as much purity to
Ph,lade lphla police and Philadelphia law, as Phla
deIphia can boast in its Schuylkill water, when
well filtered, or Its numerous clergy, when they
are kept in order by the ne wsp, pers.