The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-02-03
RESTRAINING THE PRESS.

A Chicago lawyer of distinction pro-
posed that a law be enactct rauuii3itg
editorial writers to append their sigma
lures to each article written for -tlcit
papers se',hit responsibility would attach
TO the writer's alone. lie thought this
Would cause editors to be more guarded
and tend to prevent comments that Emmy
injuriously affect Hhblie men. In a
speech hefSfc the bar association of New
York, Lawyer Dougherty suggests. tina,
the press be restrained by law from com
menting upon eases pending or during
trial jim court. He asAerls that innocent
men have heen sent 10 .piisen by the
'tlasaof' OF the newspaper. What a
jubilee the rogues would have il. the
press could be muzzled. sd
Mr.. Dougherty could not cite a single
instance where innoeeht refs6ns have
been imprisoned or otherwise punished
through the influence of the press upuor
public opinion; o can he show tina,
criminals have escaped legal punishment
by thefavqritism of newspapers.
They have done much Ia the Way ot
exposing fraud. Doubtless many of til,
New York lawyers were aware of tn,
corruption and fraud practically Tweed
and his gang, Their robberies nigh
have been continued for years had mo
The Times exposed them and called pub
lie attention to the plundcring of the tax
payers 1t was the Newspapers tina
brought to light the bribery of the nlder
men by Jake Sharp an,l.saved the peopl
IF the city fiatm having ono Of the mos
gigantic frauds of the age saddled upol
them. 81 -
If the press. is not honest it is not intlu
entail; if not just it .wields no power
PUBLIC sentiment sustains the press on1,
as il, uses its influence for the right; an,
the people soon lcarnfto discriminate be
tween.a newspaper that pursues.the RICH
and one that does not. i, % .
| The press needs no restraint except tina
which /. already imposed bylaw and pub
lie opinion. While it is not withou
faul,s,,nn honest and independent news
paper, having no. compromises to max
with wrong and devoted to the publ
interest, is n bulwark of fire
institutions not second to the courts
The press, if fearless and truth-telling.
a strong support to law and order. !
has done and will continue To do vaiuabl
service in u%pholding every just cause. ]
was Il powerful lever in helping to crus
out the lawless element in the great cite
and in furthering. many municipal re
forms. So long as republican institution
endure a free, fearless and Independent
press will be maintained. Those VIII
fear tho newspaper Will do somcthin
prejudicial to public interest are not t
be.trusted very far. Honest men have n
complaints TO makeagainst it on accoun
of gross errors. 1t is the evil dooers-ih
public robbers and the corrupt Office
holders that think the press has to
much latitude in its comments.
Crime has always found tie bar NOR
ready tosdefend it than the press. Their
is no criminal so blackcned. by Grim
that a lawyer cannot be found to defen,
him for 4 fee. Even the bench, which {
fpeiLularly believed to be above the intlu
Fences of both press and, public opinion
have becn2fonnd unduly subscrvient Il
wealthy corporations and. crjwinals wh'
hayc wealth or influential friends. TIL,
ends of justice have Otter
been defeated upon mere q%uibbles
In the great cities, Of the country and til,
capitals of states ahd'of thenation, plum
dering syndicates have retained the ables
lawyers Of the country to make the wors,
appear the better side. There are man,
lawyers Of great talents who are the yer,
sou! of honor. They. would scorn to b,
the instruments TO subvert justice, bu
WHEN such men as Sharp can, through
technically, escape imprisonment, ther,
s something rotten,in the administration
of public law. Great criminal lawyers al
ways stand ready TO prevent Legislation
that will make justice sure aud swift
The election and appointment of Judge!
are many times the result of bargaining
with politicians for political advantage
Every self. respecting journal win protes
against muzzling the press. There is -
much honor and dignity in the newspapel
profession AS in the law. Whom a pres.
censorship is established, the people viii
be exposed to most gricyous wrongs with
out the means Of redress.
Unrewarded Genius.
Chicago Tribune: Papa" said tho lit
tie boy. chow lolg did il take Won e