The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-23

But when public opinion becomes
transformed, or rouses from the stupid
lethargy in which it now sleeps-when
subscriptions cease and advertisements
are withdrawn-when the steadily-di-
minishing receipts of the business office
inform the proprietor or manager that
at last the public conscience has awak-
ened that decency no longer slumbers
and that henceforth newspaper fraud,
hypocrisy and wrong may expect to
meet prompt and fuIl-measured retri-
bution-then will yellow journalism be
transformed in the twinkling of an eye,
the element of fairness will be intro
duced into politics, the moral sentiment
OF the community will no longer be
daily outraged, and California will have
metropolitan press that will lift it in
to honor instead of sinking it into dis
grace
NEWSPAPER LEGISLATION
San Bernardino Times-Index: The
present Legislature, in order to punish
certain metropolitan papers which they
do not like, have introduced all sorts
of vicious and unwise measures tend
ing to ifijure the publishers of newspae
pers.
The publishing of a newspaper is a
perfectly honorable and legitimate bus
mess
The newspaper has the good of its
community at heart The newspaper
does more to build up locality by free
and judicious advertising than all other
70 he
righted the newspaper is at once asked
to step into the breach and make the
fight. If it was not for the press it is
hard to imagine what the corrupt Off
cial might do We venture to say that
the publication in the '"Times-Index' of
the bills allowed by the Board of Super
visors saves this country hundreds and
thousands of dollars. Take the INDECENT
list We know of several cases where
the publication of the allowance has re-
suited in the wedding out of unworthy
persons. Unjust bills have not been
presented for fear of publicity.
There are probably few. if any, mem
bers of the Legislature but owe their
election in large measure to the news
papers, and it is certain that very few
of them would ever be returned to Of
fetal life if the newspapers opposed
their political ambitions
If Senators Morehouse and Dickinson
desire to slay certain editors why do
they not have the courage to kill, and
not ask to have the killing made justi-
fable?
Probably the most unjust bill intro
duced is the one removing the require
ments of bond on commencing an ac-
ton for libel or SANDER The bond is
simply safeguard against Cutting the
courts with frivolous suits and does not
prevent the commencement of genuine
libel suits. This law, while primarily
aimed at newspapers, applies to indi-
viduals as well. The policy of the State
has been to discourage frivolous litiga-
ton, but the repeal of this act requiring
a bond would encourage litigation.
The 'Times-Index" hopes and be-
lieves that the bills aimed at the news
papers will be defeated.
NO REASON FOR A CHANGE.
Santa Rosa Press-Democrat: The
Legislature will be working a very
grave injustice upon the newspapers of
the State if it passes Senator Dickin-
sons bill repeating the Act of 1872 re-
lating to libel suits. And while it will
be doing an injustice to the papers it
will not be. accomplishing anything on
the other hand to offset it,
As the law now stands before be-
ginrsng a libel suit the plaintiff must
file 4 bond of $500 with two sureties to
guarantee the costs to the defendant in
case the charge of libel is not sus-
tanned. Without such a provision any
irresponsible party, no matter how
slight the provocation. could, while as
Stunning no responsibility himself, bring
a libel suit or any number of them,
simply for the purpose of harassing O
newspaper and putting it to heavy ex-
pense.
Any newspaper that Intentionally
damages the good name or reputation
of an individual should be made to pay
for it, but every reasonable protection
to the public exists in the law regard
ing the matter of libel as it now stands.
The only protection the newspaper
asks is that in case it is sued for libel
the plaintiff shall put up some sort Of
a showing that he is able to do as the
law requires and pay the costs of the
suit if it proves to have been brought
without reason.