Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-06-17
Thursday, June ~, 1886.
CONCERNING COMMUNICATIONS.

CONCERNING COMMUNICATIONS.
While IL Is a well established fact
that newspapers are not responsible
for the views expressed by their cor
respondents. and further, that the
newspaper In vicinity is the legiti-
mate vehicle for the expression of pri.
vate opinions on public affairs so long
as such expressions of opinion are
made briefly, in temperate language
and without the intention of calling
forth a controversy, it sometimes hap
pens in small communities where
local affairs assume importance by
reason of the intimate acquaintance of
all with the persons and subjects dis
cussed, that a communication appear
ing in paper, Is taken as expressing
the views of the paper. This should
not be so, nor should it be necessary
tor paper to, simultaneously with the
publication of a communication. pub
lish its disclaimer of responsibility or
endorsement. While newspaper
that Is properly conducted will al
ways steer clear of communications"
as far as possible, 1t not infrequently
happens, that an irate citizen charged
with the development Of an important
public policy or the criticism of public
officers, will request the publication of
a communication setting forth his
views, and If they are not incendiary
or libellous, the favor cannot consis-
tently be denied him. Public policy
is fit subject for public discussion
and public officers are public servants
and rightfully subject to criticism,
but 1t does not necessarily follow that
the criticism is just or properly made
or that 1t condemns the person on per-
sons criticised. 1t Is merely one
mans opinion. He may be dis
gruntled politician, with personal
ends to subserve or an enthusiast with
an utterly impractical theory to evolve.
As either, within the bounds pre-
scribed above, he Is to certain extent
entitled to be heard. Under these
conditions communication was yes
terday admitted to our columns over
the signature Of "Civis," which Sc
verely criticised the administration of
the sheriff's Office in its capacity of
preserving the public peace and un-
fairly we think compared it in this re-
spect with former administrations.
At no time In the history of the town
has there been less crime or bet
ter morale preserved than during the
present administration. 1t has for
many months been subject of remark
among residents, and more especially
by visitors, that, considering the lack
of incorporation, we have a wonder
fully quiet and orderly town. The
breaches of the peace particularly re-
ferred to Ly "Civis," such as the ex-
plosion of firecrackers and the kicking
of football in the streets may be objec-
tionable to nervous and fussy people,
and certainly are attendant with ele-
ments Of danger to property, but to
characterize them as vicious and the
work of hoodlums, is to seriously cs-
perse the action and defame the char
acter of some Of the best citizens our
town possesses who have heretofore,
nightly INDUCED in these pastimes.
1t is more than probable that "Civisn
does not cherish a tender regard for
our high sheriff and that in conse-
quence of his bias has been impelled to
see fiagrant breaches of official trust,
where only good recognition of the
exuberant animal spirits of the COM
munity was apparent. In the matter
of suppression of crime aud the dis
persion of criminals, real or suspected,
sheriff Savage has as good a record as
any of his predecessors and II compar-
ison were instituted il might be found,
a better. The allegation that his dep
utles are dudes, appears to be, as the
lawyers say, Irrelevant, incompetent
and immaterial," and 80 long rs they
render a good account Of themselves
in the more arduous and dangerous
details of their calling, their dudish
proclivities, If such they are. will not
tell against them. Such diatribes, as
the communication In question Is q
sample of, are not In good taste or
productive of the reform they seek to
bring about.
ELI PERKINS vivid description of