The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-09-22

u government thc Whtit c'Nig
has on equal interest both as citizen anu
sovereign. makes II desirable and cSpe-
diem! that there should be free and unrs-
strained expression G. opinion ana hcl!ei,
as well as OF fact, 50 far as is coasisSea,
with reasonable protection TO private
rights.
Publicity is the tribunal before which
unfaitkful officials CT the enemies OF 60
ciety most fear TO be arralgned. Jefferson
laid il down that "errcr OF opinion may be
| tolerated where reason Is left free TO COM
| bat IT," and pleaded for THE diffusion OF
information and arraignmept of all abuses
| at the bar of public reason. Thlers ue-
! clared that freedom of the press ana ma
| tional liberty can not exist separately
Lord Bulwer said the ne wspaper lis
| daily and eleepless watchman that reports
to you eve~y danger which menaces the IN
stitutions of your country. 1t informs
legislators of the public opilicn AMI 1T Ia
forms the people OF acts OF les'sia -lon'
thus keeping UP that constant sympalhy'
that good understanding bstween people
and legislators which conduce TO the main
tenance OF order and prevents the stern ne
cessity OF revolution.
That these principles and teachings have
been intrenched upon seriously mas pevh
fully shown. II have not been able 10
adequately demonstrate this proposition
In this hastily prepared paper, IL is at
least substantiated in the more ABUNDANT
facts of your experience.
n we have cause to complain, we have a
right TO ask for relief; and ! believe we
shall not appeal in vain to our legislature
AZ after having established the merits Of
our cause, we do not ask for more than is
our due We ask for liberty not license,
and II we are now exempt from previous
censorship or restraint, we also want fair
and usual protection after publication. To
secure this there should be enacted a civil
statute ON the subject of libel. plainly and
nneo,,ivocallv snecifyiug what shall corstI-
tute privileged matter. and the nature and
sxtent NJ orr liability for infractions upon
Tho rights NJ others we CLAIM this as a
rivbt because ~ thnre be one thing which
otove all others demands certainty and
nrecieson II is the law which governs us.
As 10 tha nrovisions of such BILL | can
onIv make suggestions olong the general
tlnes ~ nrinc'pl, since the variety Of hui
uor henneninFs arc obviously too diverse
Tor specification. But recognizing the press
49, n salntorv nublic factor it should be
nrivi,ogeI IN nnhlish-
snnartial reports OF all proceedings
NJ 1ative judicial or other public
hedios ccmnlajnts Of wrong. evidence Of
,yitneeses nresentments of grand juries
a.d ,.neuage of court and counsel pro-
vidnd thev are met in indecent language.
All acts Of officials acting in their
rublic ranaclty. Including arrests and ar
n,,',yrrente for crime proy.drd they are
rcrortod fairly and without comment on
the prohahle guilt of the accused
All n,blic documents and public rec
crds
4 Comments on subjects Of publc inter-
oct fair aud bona fide criticism or exami-
naticn Of any suecies of public entertain
mont or performance. or any work of ter
ature science or art before the public. and
of tho Qualifications. merits or competency
nr The author
: rpir and honest an,madversion on the
acts mr. qualifications OF persons VIII, hold
nuhlic office. or who are candidates fer
public office. providing improper motives
be not charged. This right is deemed cs-
ycrrqI to The iudicious exercise Of tho
right of suffrage. and in common INV the
ordinary protection against libel IN such
instances is erecally relaxed, even to the
extent of attacking character For this
privilege however. we do not contend.
On all these subjects public interest dc.
u1nds that the truth should be known anil
fair latitude for discussion be permitted,
hut IL it can be proved thai false or de-
To-, Ir,p cod ,ttf ,f