The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-13
RIGHTS OF THE PRESS
POINTED VIEWS on THE SUBJECT
EXPRESSED BY NEWSPAPER MEN.
Adopted by the Interna-
tional League of Press Clubs
Proposed Uniform Libel Law.

PHILADELPHIA, June 1.-THE conven-
tion Of the international League of Press
Clubs, at its session to-day, took important
action on the question of privileged COM
munications to newspaper men and the libel
laws of the various States. After the trans
action of routine business. Gen. Felix An
gus, of the Baltimore American. called up
the resolution of the Baltimore Press Club,
presented yesterday, demanding for news
PAPER men the same privilege of holding in
strict confidence sources of information as
accorded to clergymen, lawyers and others
General Angus said the subject was of
great Importance. the dignity of the press
having been insulted again and again. In
the age of electricity in which we live and
in which news is rapidly multiplied he
thought there was desire TO belittle the
newspaper profession. I'VE come" said he,
Ito protest against insults to our profess
sion. TO the toilers and workers" and then
he related the history of the cases of John
s. Shrver, of the New York Mail and Ex-
press, and +. j. Edwards, of the Press of
this city, who published the Sugar Trust
information that led to their summons be-
fore the United States Senate committee
General Angus said that the press some
times takes a poor boy and by it's power
makes him judge, yet he turns on those
who elevate him.
Joel Cook, of this city, said that the
matter was the one weakness of the pro-
fession and comes from the fact that it is
younger than other professions mentioned.
He believed that the press had power to
have laws recognizing the sacredness of
the confidence between the giver of infor-
nation and the newspaper man
A resolution was then offered by Charles
Emory Smith. of the Philadelphia Press.
and. after earnest speechmaking was
adopted. Ii read:
Resolved. That the International League
of Press Clubs urges all press clubs. MEM
10 secure from the legislatures of the
various States in which such league clubs
are located, the adoption of laws TO pro-
tect newspaper men in preserving inviolate
confidential information communicated 10
them in the ordinary course of their du-
Following the reading of the resolution
Mr.. Smith said: Il want to speak as a pro-
prietor and chief. We are especially inter-
ested in the adoption of this policy, be-
cause we believe ii peculiarly due TO the
active working members of the profession
Ii, in the years / have correctly observed
the young men about me. such as those
that profession who wouldn't rot in Jail
rather than betray his confidence" Ire
mendous applause greeted this tribute, and
belief that newspaper men were more care
ful in their condolences than the average
man in public life.
After the adoption of Mr. Smiths reso-
luton. John III. Fow. of Philadelphia Of
ffered the following preamble and resolu-
ton:
Whereas 1t is asserted i'm many of the
constitutions of the several States that
the printing press shall be free TO ex-
anime the proceedings of legislative bodies
and other branches of government: and
Whereas. 1t is further asserted that the
free communication of thought and opinions
Is one OF the rights of man, and that every
citizen may freely speak, write and print
on any subject. being responsible only for
the abuse OF that liberty: and
whereas. The newspapers of the Nation
ficial corruption and vice. and il is not ONLY
their duty. but their right. TO expose public
scandal. maladminiStration of office VIOLA
tions of law; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the secretary of this
league request the different State legislative
bill:
Before any suit shall be brought for the
publication OF libel in any newspaper in
this state. the aggreyed party shall, at
least three days before filing or serving the
complaint in such suit. serve notice on the
publisher or publishers of said newspaper at
their principal office of publication specify
Ing the statements in the said article which
he or they may ailege 10 be false or de-
famatory. IL IL shall appear the trial of
said action that the article was published
I'm good faith. that lis falsity was due 10 A
mistake or miSapprehnSion OF the facts and
that a full and fair retraction OF any state
published i'm the next regular issue of such
newspaper. or in ease OF daily papers, with
In three days after such mistake or misap-
prehension was brought TO the knowledge
OF such publisher or publishers, in as con-
SDicuouS place and type in such newsps-
rer as the article complained of as libeIous.
then the plaintiff ia such cases shall reccy-
er only actual damages. Provided however
that the provisions OF this act shall not ap-