Connecticut western news., 1888-07-25
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1888.
CONNECTTCUTS LIBEL LAW.

The recent summary suppression of The Telegram has again brought forci- ply to the minds of respectable newspa- per publishers the great hardships which it is possible to inflict upon them under the provisions of the law relating to libel as it now stands on the statute books of this state. None will accuse The Journal of sympathy for The Tele- gram or regret for it's demise, but never theless it realizes that the methods which were employed to wipe that ibelous sheet out of existence by the Etna in- surance company might be exercised by interruptions corporations or individu- als to work great wrong to papers when employed in the legitimate work of e1- posing frauds or rebuking evils. It is true that the freedom of the press is off, ten woefully abused and there are in- stances similar to that of The Telegram when ;t seems as though the end justi- fed the means and vigorous and stern oppressive action meets with the approv- d of an outraged community. The doc- Urine that a man shall be held responsi- ble for his utterances as we'll as for his acts, that injury to reputation is as bad as injury to the person and that charac- ter shall be as secure under the law as property, is fundamental principle of all good and just governments.
 No Connecticut journalist of any re- pute, and there are now but very few of any other sort let it be said for the hon. or of the profession, desire the removal of any proper restraint upon the press or would advocate the demolishing of any barrier that protects the private cit izen, the public officer or the business firm, from unwarranted or malicious at- tacks from newspapers. They do not want license to make onslaughts on eith- CT men or measures. All they ask for is Q certain degree of protection for themselves and their business. They do not believe it IS right that parties who have been aggrieved by the publication of an alleged libel, can, ss it is now pos sible to do, anticipate the action of the state courts, and assuming the functions of judge and jury, swoop down at un- seasonable hours upon and totally ami hilate aourishing newspaper, thus in- ficting penalty before verdict is ren- dered.
 Another feature of the law that needs . radical revision IS the matter of bonds given by the party or parties who bring the suit. Oftentimes the suits are ma icious or vexatious ones, and frequently they have no foundation and are thrown out of court. In such cases the news paper publisher has been to great ex- pense, his business has been endangered and his papers reputation has been bad ly damaged. But he has no redress ex- cept by the bringing of suit in return and can then secure damages only in the event of the party having property that can be attached. It would be eminently right and proper to make all persons bringing libel suit give bonds sufficient to cover the costs and recompense the publisher of the paper sued in case the charges are not sustained.
 The press of Connecticut is beginning to awake to the fact that they dwell con stantly ia state of insecurity and at the next session of the general assembly ir all probability combined effort will be made to remedy some of the defects o the present libel law. Let the present statute be repealed, and replace it witt one that, while it shall zealously protec the people from wanton and wicked at tacks, shall at the same time offer some adequate protection to reputable news papers, their publishers and editors.
 Hartford Sunday Journal.