Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-04-20
COURT AND PRESS.
RIGHTS OF LAWYERS AND EDITORS
THE NEWSPAPERS SPEAKING OUT


What Ruin he Hath Wrought.
Washington Review and Examiner, Dem.
We do not pretend to know anything
about the law applicable to this case, Dut
surely if the law, as it now stands, author- |
ICES the Judge to act as complainant, court,
iury. and executioner, it ought to be
chanyed at the next session of the Legisla-
ture. The one-man power which Judge
Patterson has exercised is mOnstrOus III
the extreme. And instead of sustaining
the dignity of his high Office and vindicat-
ing the character of his court, the judge
has covered himself with contempt and de-
stroyed public confidence in the tribunal
over which he presides.
Revenge SO Sweet.
Hollidaysburg Standard, Dem.
The disbarred gentlemen thereupon ap-
peal to higher court, and revenge them
selves upon Judge Patterson by publish
ing his remarkable "opinion."
Getting Tired Of 1t:
Lancaster Correspondence Columbia Courant.
Although Judge Patterson may have
showed his ears when he disbarred- Messrs.
HenseI and Steinman, yet the publication
of column after column of extracts con-
cerning it from newspapers all over the
country must sorely try the patience of
The Act of u Violent Partisan.
Newvillc Star of the Valley.
As the act is known to be a violent
partisan one 1t is questionable whether the
Justice. dignity and calm deliberation of
the bench is maintained. The act is re-
gardcd as petulant, fiercely intolerant and
rot by any means in accordance with the
spirit and privileges of our system OF
government. The gentlemen in question
were answerable to him only as attorneys
and not as editors and unless the judge i'll
some way recedcs from his arbitrary act
he will be justly charged with having
donncd the ermine of Jeffreys, and would
do more if he dare.
Rights of the Press and the Public.
Bradford Reporter, Rep,
The right of the press to criticise the
official conduct of officers or men IN pub
lie capacity is guaranteed by the Declara-
ton of Rights, where such publication is
not malciously or negligently made, and
this guarantee covers everything that any
conscientious or careful editor could de-
sire. There is little or no danger OF
falling into contempt of court or being
mulcted in damages where there is a dis
position to deal fairly and honorably
In good truth, there is in these times, toe
lamentable fact, that the indecent press
of the country has multiplied and flour
ished, to the great decentralization of the
public taste and morals. Newspapers Of
large circulation are given up to pander
ing to the most depravcd tastes, and ever
those which claim to he respectable art
the channels of slander and carry into
familiar matters which are unfit for pub
lication. There is unbOunded licenss
for the scattering. of rumors and sur
miscs affecting the moral and politica
standing of public men. A portion of tn
press seems to be given up to the dis
reputable task of tearing to pieces tn
prominent men of the natiCn. No story
TOO improbable, no gossip too vile, for thei
columns, and regardless of its indecenc
or injustice, it is elaborated to pander to
depraved public taste. or to crafty vindi(
tive personal animosity. Neither privat
reputation nor official character is sal
from these malignaEs attack, which al
made under the false assumption that til
liberty of the press sanctions the most u.
bridled License. 1t is time 4 higher an
more reutable standard was set up, an
the public and the court united to pr
down the dangerous license which has II
respect for private reputation or Official il
tegrity.