The herald., 1897-10-01
Apsnial of Free Speech

A Denial Of Free Speech
To the Editor Of the Los Angeles
Herald: Each evening, for q long time
past, two bands Of street preachers have
appealed to the people passing near the
corner Of Los Angeles and First streets,
and after the departure Of the repre-
eentatives of the Salvation Army or
Band of holiness to their respective
halls 1t has been customary for many
people to remain and talk or listen to
addresses on other subjects. The work.
ingmen have intelligent and entertain
ing speakers, who, regardful Of the
rights of others, wait until the religious
services are concluded and the evange-
lists have departed then they take thel-
turn in advising or instructing their
fellow citizens, and their right to do so
has never until recently been questioned
A few evenings ago Mr.. Fred Stein
hart. representative Of the working
men, was speaking to a gathering OF
people at this point, on economic ques-
tions, when he was requested by a
policeman to stop, the officer explain
ing that he had received orders to permit
no speaking on any but religious sub
jects The discussion of political ques-
tions, local issues, in fact everything
not pertaining to the spiritual welfare
Of the people being prohibited
From this 1t seems that some person
or persons in authority assume the right
to dictate to the people what they may
and may not talk about on the street,
certain subjects being favored and 9TH
ers prohibited. We may talk about
Ia frytN tfa tn ia NJ =
ual world, concerning which we know
little or nothing, but we must not dis
cuss the affairs of the world we now live
in, nor offer to our fellow men any ad-
vice how to meet the difficulties that bar
our progress in this life-difficulties SO
great that many of us have no strength
left to consider our chances for happi-
ness or misery in the possible future life
to come.
Is there any ordinance or law against
speaking on worldly affairs? Can we
not oppose an injustice in government,
or denounce usurpation Of powers
by courts or officials? There was one
instance that recall when freedom OF
speech in America was denied. In Kan
sas, in 1854, law was passed making
1t felony to speak or write agains:
slavery; but we all know what followed.
Was not the civil war q lesson to the
people that 1t Is not safe to deny the
right of free speech? The fourteenth
amendment to the Federal Constitution
is sufficient answer to that question.
1t says:
No state shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges or i'm
munities Of citizens Of the United States,
nor shall any state deny to any
person within its jurisdiction the equal pro-
lection Of the laws.
Is It not denial of equal protection
when certain persons are permitted to
discuss theories pertaining to future
life and all other persons are prohibited
from the discussion Of theories concern
ing this life?
Who has given the police department:
Of Los Angeles the right Of discrlmi-
nation as to subjects for public discus
sion? If we are not only to have gov
ernment by injunction" but denial Of
free speech by police dictatorship, we
may we'll inquire. as Lincoln did in 1854
"Whither are we tending?"
Here might stop. but several queries
arise in my mind. First, why are re-
llSlOulStS SeleCteU Dy the cHlel oI pOllcS
for special favor? Does he expect them
to sustain him? Most Of the upholders
Of Christianity are also sustainers Of
temperance; but does Chief Glass dc
anything to promote the cause Of tenn
perance? While he guards the interests
of itinerant street exhorters with one
eye, is it not well known that with the
other he winks at the selling Of liquor
on Sundays, and after midnight hours,
in open violation Of law? This Is fact.
Ignore 1t we may; deny 1t we cannot.
1t Is also well known that the side
walks in the busy streets are at all hours
Of the day and night monopolized by
fruit venders. Is the chief silent part
ner in their business that they are pro-
tected by his bluecoats?
If free speech Is to be squelched. let
there be no observation-disclosures catering
to religious influence; no attempt to
cover up unworthy motives and shame
full intrigues by favors granted to y
class which stands -eminently as
the conservators Of public morality.
HENRY c. ROBERTS.
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