Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-04-21
COURT AND PRESS.
RIGHTS OF LAWYERS AND EDITORS
THE NEWSPAPERS SPEAKING OUT.

THE NEWSPAPERS SPEAKING OUT.
An Irretrievable Mistake.
Williamsport Sun, Dem.
Judge Patterson has made great mis-
take-one that will follow him through
life and destroy his usefulness as presid-
ing judge.
A Startling Proposition.
Norristown Register, Dem.
That lawyers as citizens cannot criticise
the actions of the judiciary is something
which people living under a republican
form of government will be slow in learn
ing to admire.
Not American.
Lcwisburg journal, Dem.
1t was tyrannical assumption of au-
thOrity that might be permitted in some
despOtic government, but entirely contrary
to the institutions of America.
Might Make Work for the Legislature
Bradford Era, Rep.
Should Judge Patterson be sustained in
his arbitrary ruling, the Legislature OF
Pennsylvania must amend the laws of the
state in this direction, to protect liberty of
expression.
Best Abused Man In the State.
Wilkesbarre Union Leader, Dem.
Since Judge Patterson disbarred the edi-
tors of the INTELLIGENCER he has become,
and Justly, the very best abused man in
Pennsylvania.
Common Law Is Common Sense.
Harrisburg Independent, Ind.
We are inclined to believe, upon the
ground that law is both common sense
and justice, that Judge Patterson's law is
as defective as it is orig ginal.
The Popular Verdict.
Sunbury Daily, Ind.
The popular verdict already is that Pat
terson should be impeached and ousted
from the bench he has disregarded and
popular verdicts are for the most part as
just as those of a sworn jury.
One Profession Enough.
Philadelphia Sunday Mirror, Third Term.
In Lancaster, Pa, they will not allow
editors to be lawyers. Editors have no
business being anything else but editors.
The editor who cannot find work enough
in his paper to more than fill all his time
has mistaken his calling. Even the Lam
caster papers could be improved with
greater care given to their preparation.
Importance of the Issue.
Carlisle Valley Sentinel Dem.
The entire press of the state are in SYM
pathy with Messrs. Steinman and Hensel.
and will sustain them in the plucky and
determined stand they have taken for the
right. After all, the real question at issue
is not one of contempt as attorneys, but
the matter at issue is the right of public
journal to critcise a judicial proceeding.
Referred To Higher Court.
Centre County Democrat, Dem.
The action of the Judge, we are glad to
say, meets with the condemnation it de-
serves, and as Messrs. Steinman and Hen
sci will no doubt take an appeal to higher
court, it is to be hoped they will in the end
receive complete vindlcation of their
rights, and the unjust judge rebuke that
will be lesson to him while he remains
on the bench.
The Question at Issue.
Clearfield Republican, Dem.
The real question now before the people
is, shall this thin-skinned judge suppress
the press, or shall the press suppress him
scene that he is an unfit man for the
bench, and the sooner he is hustled out of
his place the better. Patterson, resign.
The Quicker the BETTER.
Northumberland Democrat, Dem.
The quicker the people of Lancaster
county get rid of Judge Patterson the bet
ter it will be for themselves. By his &C
tion in dismissing Messrs. Steinman and
Hensel, the editors of the INTELLIGENT
CER holding them responsible as lawyers
for what they published as editors, he
has shown himself to be untitled for the
bench.
A Judges Limitless Power.
Williamsport Banner, Dem.
According to Judge Patterson's con-
struction Of the statue prescribing the
laws governing members of the legal pro-
fession, few writers of the press could give
an honest criticism without subjecting
themselves to the petty tyranny of judge
whose own indiscreet acts overshadow his
judgment, and thereby inflict injury in the
name of law.
When 1t Becomes Dangerous.
Chambersburg Valley Spirit, Dem.
Whenever the court imagines itself too
exalted to be touched by public criticism
it becomes dangerous. And it is equally
dangerous when it exceeds its prerogative
and strikes outside its wide limit. The
Lancaster judges, seeking to suppress fair
criticism of their decisions, have over
reached themselves and the dangerous
precedent they are anxious to establish
will be wholly swept away, as it should be,
as soon as the official attention of the su-
preme court is directed thereto.
Shocked.
Indiana Democrat, Dem.
A distinguished member of the bar in
Pittsburgh, in conversation a few DAYS
ago. expressed himself as shocked at the
assumption of power claimed by Judge
Patterson, and denounced the attempt to
muzzle the press by preventing members
of the bar (who were at the same time
editors or writer's for newspapers) from ex-
pressing their honest sentiments, as
worthy of the days of Jefreys-and the
bloody "assizes." We hope the press
generally will speak out and denounce this
attempt on the part of a petty judge to
prevent freedom of thought and opinion,
and the liberty of speech.
Let 1t To q Jury.
Easton Argus, Dem.
If it is crime to comment unfavorably
upon the judicial conduct of Judge, the
accused should at least have a fair trial
but trial in which the offender acts as
prosecutor, judge and jury, is about as un-
fair as can be imagined. Suppose that
Messrs. Steinman & Hensel had under
taken to prove that the charges of mis-
conduct made against Judge Patterson
were true and proper for public informa-
tion? is it at all likely that any amount
of evidence would have induced the Judge
to find verdict against himself. Would |
not the very attempt of the accused to vim