The sun., 1890-05-13
A NEWsphPsR GRAND JURY.
sono CommonvenIth Club Suggestions OF
Journalism.

Newspapers as a Grand jury" was the
subject to which the speakers at the monthly
dinner OF the Commonwealth Club devoted
themselves last evening. and the lawyers
among them we're Unfortunately severe in
their structures upon modern newspaper policy
and MANAGEMENT. John Brooks Leavtt was
the leader Of the attacking party
"The trouble is" said Mr. Leavitt the mo-
ment you criticlse the press 1t cries out that its
liberty is invaded. But tho legal constitu-
tlonal liberty OF the press Is all ranged around
one point-tho liberty to express opinions upon
any ard all subjects. 1t has never been pre-
tended until now that attacks upon private in
dividuals are admissible. or that any but fair
reports are allowable. We have too day In New
York a self-constituted tribunal not known to
the law, and that tribunal Is the newspaper
press OF the city Ithas come to pass that we
are struggling with q tyranny. The press is
becoming tyrant from whom we must seek
an escape. And yet IL 1t were not for the news
papers the country could not be governed.
is there any remedy for the situation
which has arisenP We have In the press a
secret tribunal which hears without evidence
mont OF individuals cannot much longer he
borne. One remedy Is not TO read the parels.
but that isn't very eheStuaI SSt H. remedy, The
never publish adverse decisions against them-
selves or their CONTEMPORARIES. Tho newspa-
and and yet it is an Understood thing among them
that no success OF tho plaintiii In libel suit
WSs Ss 9s as Is fbSSoneG orh Wills
ship Of the press, is to be deprecated. WHY is 1t
not a feasib!e thing to require every news
parer TO devote Il column. or two columns, or q
page. according to circulation, the rublca-
tlon Of such things as individuals injured may
lis the press, after all, above the law There
IL in this State no law governing the making
and vending OF news. I use the nhraso ad-
fncts at the bottom OF it. We have laws for
lawyers. doctors, saoonkeepcrs, and others
eral public. ii in making news i Is found that
the public Is injured. why should the papers bo
above the law?
ing q private scandal ls that II 1t inils 10 lrint
it sUmo other paper VIII do So. 1t Is the same
liquor to minors because the man on the other
corner will do so II no doesn't SttIl IT is in n
sense valid reason WY Mnn Sannot 1T It be d2ne %
not provide that no paper shall publish a scan
dnl on u private individual without first sub
per can be the censor of all but II all would
Join such an arrangement the evil would be
w, j, Coombs. who presided did not agreee
with some OF the suggestions Of Mr.. Leavitt,
He believed the press was fully abreast and
usually ahead of the best sentiment of the
times He regretted that in response to the
public appetite for much that was not whole
some the press WIS OpllRcu lot puSlDetS Teh-
sons to print Objectionable matter Tho con-
trast between the editorial mage and tho news
columns In his opinion reflected the difference
between the popular demand and the standard
of the conductors Of journal.
Horace +. Deming spoke in much the same
strain OF criticism as that employed by Mr..
Leavitt Il believe" he said. however. The
newspaper men OF the country as q class are
as sensitive in honor rs any In the community,
and hope to sec the day whom the press with
out havIng its freedom interfered with. shall
have it's license restricted"
Louis WindmGller took a much less gloomy
view OF the situation. He said among other
things:
In the first place due to its unlimited freedom.
II may censure without fear or favor anybody
who Is trusted by his fellow citizens. from the
President In the White, House down to the
humble Democratic Alderman. The drec-
tors OF our largest corporations our weathiest
banks. our most merciless monopoli"s feel that
they constantly arc under the watchful eyes Of
the press.
As a rule. our press is honest and truthful.
There are no doubt many sheets which spread
cRlumnious reports. repeat scandal. and tell
lies knowingly. Papers that sock to obtain
succeed temporarily. To tell the truth fear
lessly will always pRy best In the end
The press found other defenders who COM
batted the assertions and suggestions OF
Messrs. Leavitt and Deming.