The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-30
THE LIBEL LAW.

Calvert Chronicle: A Just libel law is one
OF the greatest needs OF Texas, and the pres.
ent legislature will neglect its duty II it fails
~ enact one,
paper man, charged with libel, be tried as
other men, by n jury OF twelve men? Ii
nos so today. Malice is presumed and the
Jury are not judges of that or damages,
nenison Herald The Globe Democrat heads
special from cuero, giving the resolutions
parsed by the South and West Texas Press
association relative to the libel law, "Texans
Want Libel Law Changed They are going
70 take 1t out In wanting so far as the present
legislature Is concerned
Flatonia Argus 1t is useless for the paper,
OF our great and glorious State to urge the
passage Of libe law. We can't get it; that's
a settled fact, and when n paper ''sorter"
| hints at the passage of "any old thing" for
q change in the shane OF this much needed
Hesitation. he is the recipient of a personal
letttr TO hold up;' that there are more I'M
rortant measures before that august body.
On, consistency, etc, etc.
El Campo Eagle: An effort is being made
BY the friends of truth in the Texas legsla-
ture to pass some law that Will at least give
Partial relief to newspapers. The judiciary
committee OF the house which has charge OF
tho libel bill hns taken up the Greenwood bill,
ana, after adding three demands made by the
south and West Texas Press association, Will
rel crt II 70 the house, endeavoring TO get il
up for consideration today The freedom OF
the press hangs In the scales.
Ioakum Herald: The press association is
very much In earnest about wanting the libel
law passed at this session OF the legislature.
IL the press can not get recognition from the
very people whom il has materially assisted in
rcGching the office they hold. IN all proba-
hlitty it can assist just as eifeetually In keep
Ing them at home next time. Put the ear
marks on them now, and then do the rest
when the next election rolls around. Both OF
our representatives are favorable TO the bill.
penlson Herald: II there is a member OF
tie legislature who has reason why he voted
against Just and equitable newspaper libel
bill, he should have that reason published
ane sent broadcast over Texas. There are
those outside OF the newspaper profession
wEo would like TO see these reasons framed.
The legislature in tho past has said that 1t is
the ''eormorant press, the monopoly" press
and not the small daily and weekly newspaper
that wants new libel law, but TO this legis-
lature II has been clearly demonstrated that
Il is the solid, substantial press of Texas that
needs legislation and demands It. II has been
that the people OF Texas need
1t aud demand Il. and yet they have taken
no action and viii take nane. Hardly a day
passes but there is need for the publication
OF q news item that would benefit the COM
mCnity. would be OF great value TO the pub
lie, and the public demands OF the printer that
the facts be printed; but the publisher pulls
the snickersnee OF libel law and tells the
~ bile that be would like to print the news
but the libel law disgrace VIII not permit OF
his doing So and then the public gets mad
hut that Is all the good II does, the public
does not make laws, A few small politicians
lave that power.