The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-02-07

Yesterdays session of the senate
was marked by a debate upon the pas
sage of the law of libel as relates TO
newspapers. Contrary to expectation
the measure met with opposition from
an unexpected source, Warner and
the chairman leading the opposition
Evans Joined in with these two IN Talk
ing against the measure but the at
tempt was futile, but four votes being
recorded against the bill.
Glen Miller made a speech in favor
of the bill which clearly defined his
position as relates to newspapers ana
will be greatly appreciated by the fra
ternity.
SENATE BILL D.
As soon as the regular order was
finished senate bill 5, the act denIllhS
the law of libel, was called up.
Glen Miller amended the bill by IN
sorting the word "aVOWed' before the
word candidate"
Ce..dland declared his opposition to
the amendment but afterward with
drew it.
BEFORE IQll call w e1A AA1A q 49,
against the measure. He never saw
an instance where e. newspaper was
damaged in q trial This law gives
a newspaper too much license. "A
naCsnaper man might conceive an idea
of maligning a man ana publish
scurrilous article and distribute thous-
andS Of copies all over the land. Under
this law he can make retraction and
publish it in the regular edition Inc
thousands who read the article in the
extra copies published do not see the
retraction and the maigned person Is
greatly damaged. If newspaper men
were not like others, born with human
passions, the bill might answer.
Sutherland and Booth advocated the
measure as a good legal proposition,
while the president and Senator Evans
both argued against it
When Evans had concluded, Glen
Miller made a speech in favor of the
bill I cannot understand where all
the opposition to this bill comes from, -
said the senator. L can understand
that the lawless elements; men whose
nisdeeds have brought them into prom
inence, are opposed on general princI-
piles to newspapers. But why there
should be q feeling manifested here is
beyond my comprehension. have
been taught to believe the newspapers
are better educators than the schools;
that they are better instructors in
morals than are the ministers; that
they do more in preventing crime than
the police; that they do more in ad-
vancing and enhancing the financial
interests Of the country than all the
boards of trade and chambers of COM
merce. This law is a very fair one
and is one calculated to be of benefit,
not only to the newspapers but the
people themselves"
fo6lfVer re
against the bill" said Evans, will he
explain?"
mo, sir. I feel very deeply on this
point, hence I do not want to indulge
in any personalities. But I have heard
remarks made here which surprise
me- They were of a nature such as to
cause me a great deal Of regret. All
the great newspaper men of this coun-
try have declared in favor Of such a
law and 1t should pass"
The bill then passed. Ayes-Booth,
Candland, Chambe :, Chidester, Dris-
coll. Mckay, Glen Miller, Warrum,
Snow, Sutherland. Zundel-1L
Noes-Evans, r. G. Miller, Warner,
Mr. Presidents.
Absent-Allison, Barnes. JONES'.
AUDITING ACCOUNTS.
The senate INDUCED in a great deal
of talk over house concurrent resolu-
ton No. Z providing for the employ
ment of an expert accountant in check
ing I'D the accounts of the various
state institutions and of the old ter
ritorial officers.
Mr.. President left the chair to op-
pose the measure unless some light
was shed upon the measure.
Mr.. Booth transformed himself into
a streak Of sunshine and informed the
speaker the books of some institutions
were not in so good condition as could
be desired and that checking up was
desired as an act Of justice to those
who would take charge of the books
The various members then debated
the resolution in all its dips, spurs
and angles.
Amendment followed amendment, the
first being offered by Mr.. Chambers to
make the resolution authorize the COM
mittee to employ more than one ex-
pert, If so desired. This was voted
down, but afterwards reconsidered and
the suggestion of Mr.. Chambers accept
ed.
The question then arose: Whose ac-
counts shall be audited? After more
legislative sparring, it was decided the
committees should audit the accounts
of such public institutions of the state
and territorial officers as the commit
tee shall determine"
With this change the resolution was
concurred in.
ROUTINE BUSINESS.
Prayer was offered by Senator zun-
del
Upon application Of Senator Suther-
land, Senator Allison was granted two
days leave of absence.
The reading of the journal was fol-
lowed by Z. communication from Hon. J.
r. Letcher forwarding twenty-five
copies of the report of the Utah conn
mission.
The Judiciary committee reported H
B. 81, relating to trials Of civil causes
and H. B. IS, providing for trials of