The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-08

for the distribution of newspapers through the
mails.
Mr.. Wilson-That is, we might pass a regula-
ton of the methods of the operations of the
press
Mr. Smith-Not a regulation of the contents
OF newspaper which a regulation of news
would be. After you get regulation Senator
you will then have a censorship. We will have
members of Congress establishing censorships
Nh Wilson, do not think that follows at all
Mr. Smith-It follows as a logical result.
Mr. Wilson-Not more than the exercise of
any other power by Congress implies wrong
exercise Any power that the government pos
sesses may be used rightly or otherwise, as
the powers of individuals may be used rightly
or otherwise But we are not assuming
that they will be wrongly used. The question
is. can they, in any event and to any extent, be
lessened. If not used Alright, of course the rem
edy is in the judicial department of the govern
ment: But am not with my present. i'm
preston, prepared to admit that any business
which so largely affects, may affect, public af
fairs or the general business of the people
as the business we are talking about, stands upon
the same basis and in the same relations toward
the government and the people that ordinary
private citizens occupy.
Mr. Smith--Do you mean to say, Senator, that
it does not in respect to the property rights in
volved!
Mr. Wilson-The use of property is involved
in the proposition of property right. You can
not sever the right of property from the use of
property; and yet, because man has an I'M
questionable right in property. he cannot use it
improperly, and if he does it is not only
within the power, but it is the duty of
the government to prevent that thing; and
so the government does in all relations of life
and in regard to all matters of property. man
may own beyond all question the title to a
piece of property, but because he has absolute
property right in it, to use that phrase in its or
binary acceptation he has no right to so use that
property in which he has this absolute right as
to convert it into nuisance.
Mr. Smi Il baoN hut to
me you are cOnfounding the general laws of the
national government with municipal laws
Mr. Wilson-Not at all.
Mr. Smith-It certainly is not the province of
Congress or the general government to interfere
with those property rights which belong exclu-
sively to the States and municipalities.
Mr.. Wilson-The general government has the
same power within its jurisdiction in all those
regards that the State government has within its
jurisdiction.
Mr. Snith-Yes, but whatever the Constitu-
ton sets forth forms the jurisdiction of the gen
eral government. can find no warrant for
drawing the conclusionsayou do from the Consti
tuition.
Mr.. Wilson-Well. we may not agree upon
that, and doubtless we will not;
but 1 wish to suggest aud to
mind, that there is a distinction between that
kind of business which affects public affairs
and the general business Of the people, and that
which merely affects the private affairs of citi-
zen.
Senator Hill asked series of questions relat-
ing to the policy of the Associated Press in re
gard to use by its papers of matter received by
competing associations.
In reply, Mr.. Smith explained the rules of the
Associated Press, which prohibited such use and
the reasons for their establishment. These
reasons, in substance, were that the security of
news of the Associated Press required prohibi-
ton, and that encouragement of opposition as
Sociations by members of the Associated Press
was injurious to their property rights. The
rules were framed by members of the associa-
ton and assented to by them.
EDITING THE NEWS.
Senator Hill asked with regard to the distri-
button of news to the West; if there was not one
individual who exercised a censorship and de-
termined what papers should publish
Mr.. Smith replied in the negative The mat
ter supplied was edited he said in
the same manner it was edited
in every wellrogulated newspaper Office For
example, 1000 or 5000 words of matter might
be sent from Washington to New York, while
not more than !, 600 words would go West The
TALLY the same facts, but they would be put
into fewer words. There was no suppression of
facts.
Senator Hill-This power deals with the quail
ity and quantity of news does it not! 1t exer-
cises complete control of quality as well guam
tity, does it notl / am not saying, understand
me, it is abusing its power. l am asking what
power it has.
Mr.. Smith-It has the same power that an
editor has.
Senator Hill said he noticed that when repre-
sentatives of the Western Union Company APP
peared before the committee at their request. in
January. papers in remote parts published long
articles on the subject.
Mr.. Smith said the matter had been furnished
on that occasion by the Western Union COM
pany and transmitted at their own expense.
Senator Hill questioned Mr.. Smith at con
siderable length upon various fea-
lures of Associated Press management.
the method of gathering and distributing news
and the conditions under which newspapers
could become members of the associa-
ton. During the course of the coiloquy
Mr.. Smith pointed out numerous errors
of statement regarding the rates paid by Asso-
ciated Press papers and the principles which
governed the association errors made by pre-
ceding witnesses, but not affecting in important
respects, the subjeetmatter of the commissions
inquiry.