Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-02-05
SAcRAMENTo, February /, 1876.
EXPULSION or A REPORTER.

EAII ISlDN or a EtGDkl ! En-
The chief excitement since my last, has
arisen from the expulsion Of the S. f.
Chronicte reporter from the Senate Cham
Der. The facts appear simple. The cor
respondent Of the Chronicie, who sue
ceeded Somers whom Representative VIII
cox disabled Phil X. Stockton in his
CORES >pondence sharply criticized Senator
Lewis, and the paper by innuendo in its
editorial columns reflected upon his per-
sonal character. At the same time, the
correspondent wrote that Senator Laine
had said to a Reporter that if the Report
ers were turned out of the Legislature, it
(he Senate or Legislature would - steal
the State blind in month" This utter
ance Laine emphatically denied from his
seat in the Senate, and the same day
Friday, Lewis aftera bitter scoring Of the
correspondent moved his expulsion from
the Senate floor 1t was amended, on
motion Of Dr.. Gibbons Of Alameda, to
include all future reporters Of the ChrOn-
tcie, and so passed, and the Sergt at
Arms escorted Stockton out. He went
into the gallery, but wa. also elected from
that place. On Saturday, Hart in the
Assembly moved a resolution to expel
him from that House, but it wa, held the
Assembly had no official notice Of his
mis- behavior, and being otherwise opposed
was withdrawn, Hart saying he had in
troduccd it by request. This is the whole
matter in nutshell. 1t has created a
great breeze. The almost universal feel
ing sustains the Senate on these grounds A.:
!. The Senate is the judge Of the fitness
Of anyone to remain in it, chamber. 2.
1t passed almost unanimously and is
therefore a profound judgment. 8. 1t is
not "A blow at the Press, but only Mt one
branch Of it which is constant offender,
caring more for notoriety than for char
ncter. 4. Other journalists frd no diff
Guilty in criticising public men and meas
ures without consequent trouble. The
chronicle (say sevelal Senators) has in
dulged SO freely in vitupeIation and per-
sonal attack, that it has lowered and dis
graced the ,tandnId Of journalism, aud
led the people to believe nothing seen in
the papers, and this act is really in defence
Of honest and decent journalism. 6. A
has no right to abuse the
privileges Of the Senate by the use Of
language IN print which parliamentary
rule lorLids II Senator to use on the floor,
and which would justify the expulsion OF
a Senator, if 50 used.
This is the gi.t and pith Of public ex.
preston, and | have diligently sought to
sit it. A. this is sufficient statement to
enighten the whole subject, | express no
opinion myselt-the JOURNAL has repu-
taton for doing that for itself, boldly and
sensibly.
THE ATTACKS on THE PRESS.
BY the way. your editorial on the i'm
Of journalism aud journalists
met the whole question and has been fully
commented upon here as just and cx-
But new bill is now in the
Senate which meets with vide favor and
will pass, while the other will not. refer
to what is now known as "The Retract-
ion Law" Briefly it is law proposed
by Senator Picr>on) by which anyone
ibeled may have a speedy judgment of a
County Court, and-if it be against the
paper, the judgment is that retraction
to be set out in the judgmcnt-shall be
published in the paper, and in equal prom
nence MS the libel had. It is to be en-
forced by punishment for contempt if re-
tusal is made. | believe no man has yet
objected 90 this. / is fair, reasonable,
and the leading papers thus far support
it. Such law would he n protection to
honest papers, and death to black mail
sheets. 1t is now in force in France and
works well. Public retaciion is due to
every man libeIed, and that is better than
damages, and will make journalism more
perfect and careful.
LEADING MEASURES AND ACTS.
The Investigating Committees have not
yet reported. The Golden City swindle
has been well shown up and fual report
Of the Committee is expected to-day or
TO morrow. At its last meeting an ex-
Senator swore that two Assemblymen Of
n former session received stock in that
association for their votes to grant it
. fronting" " tide lands. The Eli, Grab
Committee has closed its abors and will
soon report The text book question and
Bancroits equities are now before the
Committee on Education of the Assembly
md all sort, Of conflicting testimony has
been put in as to the value Of Bancrofl's
and McGuiicy's readers, respectively,
while over half mile in length Of pc
-itions, pro and con, have been presented.
Archer's House bin to amend Sec. l37
Of the Civil Code is an important one
1t provides thatin divorce cases the Court
allowing alimony may enter the order ms
a judgment and issue an execution as in
other cases, and also proceed to enforce
the order by proceedings for contempt as
now is done.
Garretson's bill in the house to amend
See. CJl Of the Code of Civil Procedure
Is also important. 1t tproyides that when
The Sheriff leyies with an execution, the
Judgment debtor may point out what
property to take, if be indicates sufficient
o satisfy the judgment and costs. 1t
makes the execution also, so soon as re-
corded with the Recorder, lien upon the
and IN all cases where the judgement is
by law lien on the real property of the
Judgment debtor.
1t appears that up in Trinity and Shas-
Ia you newspaper men have not been able
10 n Urpp with tbn &uno,,.i..u. o. l. Al