The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-12-15
/" FREE PASSES"

Under the above title the Inter Mountains
Freeman Of last Sunday says:
To pass law prohibiting railroad compa-
MES fium issuing free passes over their lines
To members OF The press, legislature, con-
gress, supreme court, etc, would seemingly
he all unWarranted distrust Of our public
servants. Yet there is no question but what
such proceeding 10 necessary andshOuid be
made universal. The newspaper man Is not
at all times proof against hattery, and II is
too often occurs that his writings are made
to conform more to policy Ihan to bis better
Judgment. At least, when courtesies have
been extended to him, he Is more apt to wink
a. discrepancies, If not absolutely defending
those making them. The judge upon the
bench. hswever upright and honest he may
be, is susceptible Of being Influenced, to a
certain extent, by companies or corporations
"xlrndlng Ia him favors. As 10 the average
congressman aud legislator, IL Is useless To
add that they are generally found"n tho side
Of corporations. IT every mothers son Of
them were compelled to pay their way, they
would have no fsvors 10 return, and, a. .
consequence, the people would be more like
~ 10 get their best servic,s. We believe
such law should be passed.
It Is perhaps not generally known, but it
Is fact, that we now have a Law covering
he larger number of persons referred TO
above. We quote from Sec. 32i, General
Laws, Revised Statutes Of Montana:
If any railroad corporation within this
Territory shall ask, charge, or demand any
.xorDitant rate If compensation for the
transport atien Of any freight, baggage, ex
Dress matter, or passenger, or make any un'
Just discrimination IN Its rates, or shall give
% any member Of the legislative, executive.
~ judicial depart meDt Of the Territory OF
Nom ana, any ticket, pass. or privilege other
LIIaii 10 gwen to other patrons Of Its road
generally, or shall neglect to provide com
for able aud convenient cars or coaches for
he transport alton Of It's passengers and their
,aggage, etc, shall
ne deemed guilty Gf q niisdemeanor, and,
,ring theienf convicted, shall be fined for
hs first oti-nse In the sum Of one thousand
I"llars, aud for every other and further VIC
lation Of any provision Of which Il has twice
"fore been found guilty, sum not less
than live nor more than ten thousand dollars. |
This. II will be seen, Is quite binding oil
the railroad companies. or course Terri |
torial law can not apply to members Of Con-
gress. So far as the press Is concerned. II Is
= more difficult matter TO reach. Officers Of
the courts, legislature, and Territory are
paid aud sworn 10 do certain duties. They
csn not do any special favor to corporation
without conflicting with their higher duty
20 the people. With the press Il IS different,
Neither the public nor corporations are re.
CURED to pationize or pay for newspaper or
he services Of the editor. His relstionts .
and TO corporations Is simply .
business one. The legislature bias no more |
egsl right 10 say he shall not be given or &C.
,epl pass than that he shall not Sit \. an
,thsr maa's table as guest. 1t hes no more |
authority over him or his business than. IL |
has over that Of any other private citizen. IL
be does not sec proper TO accept passes or
, her courtesies he can decline them, Just a. 4
ly other private citizen might do, but |
lrely ever does. Now, we believe this pass |
stem Is Taught with many evils. II we've
B tier for The press we're IL abolished and the
-ditor and publisher receive pay for their |
woi aud purchase their tickets. But. there |
Ire difficulties Ia the way Of this. There |
,re thousands u legitimate items, beside
egular advertising, VI which the publication |
. VI interest TO The public and value 10 ths
-ailroad companies, the procuring and pub. |
fishing Of which are expensive. The rail-
Dads only compensate 10 transportation,
lnd the editor occupies the position Of being |
= :" dead head aud having TO ask
or I" passrs.r when he has probably paid his
way many times over. 1t 10 the same with
But no Law has solved ths |
problem Of the relations newspaper bears .
o the public, and the inteiligenee aud ~
egrity II the editor aud publisher anyhow
determine its character beyond any statutory
equation.
We have shown that the law already pro
ides the principal safeguard suggested by
mr. contemporary, aud II In addition the
'ress can be included squitably, We will be
lad TO give such measure hearty endorse
nent.
tE Il