The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-06
Newspapers ana Libel Suits.

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We have had recently, in different courts
and in different countries an unusually large
number of actions against the press for libel.
In London the proprieiors Of the AH.eaos'Hn, a
most respectable periodical were sued tor
libel by map publisher and compelled to pay
damages to an extent we think, Of many
thousands of dollars. 1t seems that the
A4seadum threw doubts upon the authenticity
OF certain maps in one of It's book reviews.
For this jury imposed upon it an extraor-
binary foe. In Chicago the editor Of the
Times has been cast in verdict OF twenty
five thousand dollars for publishing rs mat
ter of news q false report in reference
to the character Of young lady. In Charles
ton Mr.. Bowen, formerly Congressman, is
suing the newspapers for defamation OF his
character. Mr.. Bowlss, of Springfield, in
suit brought by q powerful politician, has
been fined hundred dollars. When We
are through with the Beecher trial we are
promised half dozen libel suits between Mr..
Tilton and some of our contemporaries. So
that the saying, 1T never rains bat it pours,
would seem to be verified in our own profess
sion
1t is impossible to discover in the results
attending these actions that any definite prln-
ciple regarding the freedom of the press has
been evolved. In The case of the Athen0um
nothing, we think, could be more unjust than
the verdict against its proprietors There
was no libel intended, no malice proved, nor,
on its face, could there have been malice 1t
is rather alarming to know that any jury
could be induced to impose 50 heavy fine
upon a newspaper for the statements in book
review. III the case Of the Chicago Times il
is also hardship to see an editor fined
tvs enty-fve thousand dollars because he was
imposed upon by some wretch in q country
village who, to wreak his revenge
upon young lady, wrote him a
story affecting her character. No one
supposes for a moment that the editor
Of this journal invented the statement for
which he has been condemned. 1t is ad-
mitted that he made every effort to retract
and that he published retraction. II
journalism can be ut the mercy of any one of
hundred correspondents or subordinates
who are thoughtless and, in some cases, ire
sponsible people who may in one way or another
find access to its columns, then it is about as
hazardous a business making powder or
mining with nitro-glycerine. There may DO
an explosive shot in what appears to be the
most innocent line on the page, and il every
person whose name is mentioned in a news
paper column except in terms Of commenda-
ton can be allowed access to a jury, With tho
certainty Of obtaining verdict OF damages,
then there is not only no freedom of the
press, but no opportunity Of doing anything
in journalism but printing market reports and
marriages and deaths.
At the same time we are in favor Of rigid
law Of libel Only let libel be clearly defined.
We do not ask any special liberty for the
press. On that subject there has been
wonderful amount Of cant and nonsense.
This country has suffered ten thousand times
more from the license of the press than it
ever possibly can suffer from its lettering.
Editors should not be allowed to plead bust
ness or ignorance or haste or carelessness as
an excuse for the publication in their columns
of statements damaging 70 private character.
A well organized paper can prevent the publ
cation of these statements as efficiently as o
well organized bank can prevent the passing
into its Golfers of forged checks or counterfeit
bank notes. This will come by system,
by employing gentlemen as journal
lists, by holding correspondents and re-
porters and writers to the severest accountl-
bility, and by taking pains q know the truth
before an article is printed. If . journal il
too poor OF too lazy or too indifferent to take
this trouble then its editors should 60 into
another profession. or course this will take
time and money. and will be an annoyance,
but journalists have been given great power
in this country. Their power has grown to
an enormous responsibility, aud they have no
right to shlrk it. If tho result OF these va
rious libel suits against newspapers will be to
establish general system, clearly defining
what is libel and showing editors how far
they may 90 IN dealing with the law, it will
be an advantage not only to the press but to
the public What the true journalist wants
is to know what is right and to do it,
The Yachting Season.
The reluctant May will not disturb our