The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-13
MUZZLlNG THE INDIAN PRESS.

ture.
MUZZLlNG THE INDIAN PRESS.
THE vEnNACULAR PRESS ACr FOR THE sup
PRESTON or NATIVE NEwsPAP8Es-PAssED
AT SINGLE SITTING OF THE vIcERE0AL
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MARCH IA, 1878
The mutterings OF disa1ecton IN British India hav
ing grown louder under tho pressure OF misrue that
is responsible for tho horrors OF famine and oppres
sive taxation, the native press has OF lutte given de-
cded expression TO the popular feeling Recently there
were published many extracts from what Is termed
tho vcrnacuar or native press OF India OF which tho
language In way calculated to allay the gen.
eral discouten Notwithstanding tho proclamation
Of the Queens new title as Empress OF India and the
institution OF a Order OF chivary whose docora-
ton Is intended for and has been conferred on fe-
malo no,ables who have distinguished them
selves tor their loyalty 10 the Crown, and
who nre mainly tho royal princesses and the wives
and daughters of the British nobility identified with
the Indian government, the natives OF Hlndostan
how their condition Is to be ameliorated by
proclamations, fireworks and ribbons They therefore
speak out their protests Though tho native press,
and show the world that tho ''blcssinxs" they
are enjoying unreal and unsubstantal
as the rule they experience Is cxactng ana
Of the Indian governmsnL which, by the act relating
10 the vernacuar press the text OF which is given In
full below suppresses a expression OF native opinion
and gives tho local magistracy, who arc all up
pointed by the Grown, the right TO seize the
types, presses, paper and other property OF native
journalists coming under the operation OF this gag law
The individuals who offend against the majesty OF the
Empress OF India also liable TO Imprisonment and
hnc, at the option OF the local government II Is
declared that books, papers, &c, printed outside
the limits OF British India are not TO be
admitted to that territory except by permis-
SION OF the government consors. Al no time
during the reign of Napoleon H., or even
under tho Russian or German police control Of the
press has q measure extreme and so sweeping
its operation been devised for the muxzng OF public
opinion this "Ac for the better control Of publica
tons in Oriental languages" which has been passed
at one sitting Of the vceregal Legislative Council
OF India, on Thursday March IA, 1878 In
the event Of o war between Russia and
England, the act will assist the Indian government In
giving any color It peases to the OF the day. 1t
Will be useiui dcceivng the Hindoos In pre-
venting, as II pretends their deception by their
own Journalists. The effect OF the measure will,
therefore, DO twoiold. Over the ignorant and
fanatical temporary influence favorable 10 British
interests will undoubtedly DO exercised by the
local governments, but disafection and suspicion
will be aroused In the minds OF the educated natives.
They will not believe the organs because
they well that tue authorities Interested In
suppressing unpleasant truths. They Will therefore
be all the likely ston to the secret agents OF
Russia, who will fail TO supply them with niorma-
zion best calculated to servo Russian purposes.
AN Aor Tor tho Better Control OF Publications In
oriental Languages.
Whereas cor lain publications in Oriental langu
printed circulated In British INDIA. have OF late
government established by Law In Brush India,
sntpalhy between persons OF different castes
as means Of intimuallon or extoriioa ana, wnoieas
such publications. aro read by ana dissent mated
among large numbers OF ignorant and uninielllgent
persons, and are thus likoly 70 have an influence
which they otherwise would not possess; and,
whereas Is accordingly necessary Tor the Iuaints-
nance Of the pubnc tranquility and Tor the security
oil Her Massys subjects aud others TO confcr the
executive government power 70 control tho printing
ana circulation Of such publications. 1t u hereby
l. This section and sections II to TO- both inclusive,
apply 10 the whole Of British India; the other
India TO which they may from time to timo be ex-
tended oy tns Governor General IN Council ny mott
hcation IN the Gazette or indid
2. In this act newspaper" means any periodical
work containing pubic nows or comments public
news printed wholly or partially In ANY Oriental ian
guags, and includes Two or mo,o copies vi newspa-
per bearing the name. whothor published On
series OF newspapers, wn.tner printed on one day or
different days, or with one nano or With different
names; and print, "printed" and "printer" apply,
not only 10 printing but also 70 tnograph, engraving
aud photography.
g. Any magistrate of a district commissioner Of
poles III pre- sdoncy town. within the local limits of
whose jurisdiction any newspaper Is printed or pub
lsned, may, with tue previous sanction OF The local
government and subject 10 The provisions Of section
6, call upon Printer and publisher such news
paper TO enter into Joint and several bond or when
same person, call upon such person to cutter into
bond, binding themselves or himself us tho casc may
be, In such sum The local government thinks NJ,
not to
tai PRINT publish IN such nc wspaper any words,
Signs Visible representations likely TO excite dls
affection TO the government established by law In
BRUSH India, or antpathy between any persons or
onsrent races, castes religions, or SCOTS IN British
lJl use or attempt 10 use such newspaper for the
purpose Of putting any person IN tear or causing
noyancc 10 him, aud thereby inducing him to denver
TO any person any properly or valuable security or 10
give any qualification 10 any person, or for Tho pur
pose OF holding out any throat vi injury TO pubic
or beevcs that puzzle servant to be interested ana
thereby inducing tnat puohc servant to any act or TO
forbear delay 10 do any Connected with Tue
ercise Vi ms public iupctlonG
Expanal Valuable security republication"
anu .puDlIc scfvant are used Ia this section In tho
Indian Penal Cooe.
4. When any bond is executed under section 8, tho
SAID mag slrate or commissioner may further require
the ob.or or obixois OF the Same 10 deposit Tho
amount thereof Ia money Or the equivalent thereof
money securities 50 deposited snail. SUBJECT tho
provisions hereinafter containcd remain deposited
until fifteen days alter the person or persons deposit
lug the same has have aud subscr bed . dec
luration under Act No XIV. OF 1857, section D.
When such person or persons has or have sub
scribed SUCH declaration, aud hftecn days have
elapsed from Tho date oil subscribing the samc,
lao or they may apply TO ths said magis-
trate or commissioner Tor The restoration OF
tue said money or securities, and thereupon such
money or securities shaI, subject to tho provsIons
hereinafter contained. be Restored TO such person
persona
6. Whom any publisher or printer Is called upon by
magistrate or commissioner vi police to execute a
bona under this act ia respect 10 newspaper INC
Publisher Of sucn newspaper may denver 10 such
Magistrate or commissioner Undertaking In writing
the elect that words, signs visible fcpicsen
taions sLal during lilo year next following the date
Of such undertaking % printed or pubilsned in such
newspaper whicn have not previously submitted
" such officer as the local government appoint
this behalf, W name or Ia vrIue OF his Office,
which, icing 30 submitted, have been objected
by sucn officer.
Wnon such undertaking has been 30 delivered no
such bond or deposit shall DO required IRON the