New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-25
The Newspapers i'm Limbo.

II looks as though some of the members
of Con rress did not like the freedom OF the
STRUCTURES of the newspaper press upon
their savings and dOings, ana Therefore
proposed to discipline them. This may be
imaginative on our part, but recent action
has that appearance, and we all ]udge by
appe arances, though we are cautioned by
tbe old saw that we should not. Thus, in
the Senate, Mr.. Carpenter has introduced
hill in regard to the removal of causes from
State to United States courts. This bill
gives to United States courts cognizance OF
ali civil suits where the amount involved
exceeds in value $500. The bill met with
no objection till the eleventh section was
reached, which provides that IN actions
not affecting titles to real estate process
may be served upon any corporation or
person doing business in any judicial dls-
trict, having there an agent, in respect OF the
matter out Of which the suit arises, by de-
livery of a copy to such agent. Mr. Thur
man moved to strike out the section, and
discussion followed the motion to strike
out. which was supported by Messrs. Thur
man, Bayard and Wadleigh. and opposed
by Messrs. Conkling and Carpenter, and
the motion was then rejected by vote OF
forty nays to sixteen yeas. Inc next
amendment was offered by Mr.. bayard,
who moved to exclude from the operations
of the section all suits for libel and slander,
and referred to the fact that Washington
was the headquarters for correspondents.
Under the operations of the section, as
reported. a correspondent might be sued IN
the District as the agent OF the Journal
he represented, and a judgment thas De
obtained against the paper. Mr.. Wad-
leigh supported the amendment, and SAID
that the bill was blow at the liberty OF
the press; and, not only that, it would
affect business men who frequently dl0
business by agents in States where they
did not reside. He spoke of the people OF
the District of Columbia necessarily being
influenced by tho party having control OF
the government, and referred to the inJus-
tice of laying the press of the opposition
liable to suits for criticlsing the party IN
pOwer when it would be tried by iuries in
fiuepced in favor of that party. TINS
amendment was rejected By vote OF IS
nays to 20 yeas. Mr.. Carpenter submitted
an amendm ent to meet the objections OF
Mr.. Wadleigh. providing that copy OF the
process served on the agent should oe
served on the principal at any place in the
United States.
The true purpose of this bill was pointed
out by Senator Wadleigh, and it is nothing
lees than to provide convenient means OF
reaching papers through the courts lor
libelOus publications. Under the operation
of it, if it should become law, paper on
the Pacific coast, for instance, might be
sued through its agency or correspondent
in Washington, and the case must be tried
there. and the proprietors of the paper must
come there to make their defense. If come
public man should conceive that publica-
ton might be made the basis of q harrassing
and annoying suit, it would only be neces-
sary for him to bring action in the District,
serve process upon Its correspondent ana
prosecute the suit there under all the sd-