The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-25
C.n.r sunnlicntion.

Fort Worth Mail-Telegram.
The press OF Texas has treated the
legislature fairly. There may be excep-
titus where some paper, not recognized
by the legitimate press, has gone beyond
the rules OF decency In an attack upon
some member or members of the legislative
body, bu'. this is no excuse why all the
papers In the State should be made TO
suffer. AS stated, the papers have not
only treated the members fairly, but In
nearly every Gaze have materially aided in
their election. and ever since that time
have gone to them, duplicating, begging
and asking with all the Difference in the
world, that they be given at the hands
of these same legislators-slmply justice.
And what did they get? Nothing but
abuse and an intlmatlon that the publish
ers OF the State were not entitled to as
many rights as are accorded the man who
steals horse or robs a bank. At the re-
cent meeting of the South and West Texas
Press association the following resolu-
tons we're adopted
Be 1t resolved !. That the South
and West Texas Press association, In
convention assembled. does most
heartily and unanimously rclterate its
protest against the injustice done hon
est publishers and TO the people OF
Texas resulting from the lack of
civil statute governing libel, fair alike
to the press and public, as promised
by the constitution.
70. That we urge upon tie legisla-
ture, now In session, the public neces-
sty OF the passage OF me bill known
as the Greenwood libel BILLY or some
equivalent, embracing the three car
dlnal reforms demanded, to-wit: /.
The definition of libel. 2. The specl
flcatlon OF privileged publications. 3.
The elimination OF the presumption OF
malice by leaving the question OF
malice as well as dam lges issues OF
proof for the jury to decide from the
evidence, as is now the law IL most
other States"
These resolutions are worth about as
much as the paper on which they are writ
ten, and Will bear about as great results
as had the paper been burned. But that
same association adopted another resou-
ton which sounds little more like BUSH
ness. 1t reads
BE 1t resolved. That the members
of this association. collectively and In
dividually. shall urge upon heir rep
resentatives. senators and the public
| the passage o: the ill for libel re-
forms, to the end that should the re-
form be no. granted during this ses-
sion of this legislature it he made a
plank in all State party platforms In
future until it's final adoption
The papers have done enough supplica,.
ing, now let II stop. by a concerted eff
| fort the press of tho State can soon place
itself in a position 20 dictate terms to The
would bo law malSerst Put II IS question
in tho state platforms AMI let the paper!
| fight to a finish every man who will no
promise, and give assurances of carrying
out his promise, to support n measure fo
this needed reform. In he tight more
than 30 per cent of the entire voting popu
lation OF the State could be with tn,
papers The people of Texas are honest
They believe in fair dealing aud are will
ing that tho papers shall haze just wha
they ore asking for, Justice the same IS /
is melted out to all other men of the State
Make It m issue. give the candidates fo
the Legislature no quarter II they lonSel
deny This ndisputcd right, and paper-
need not tear the result of the battle
supplication ard prayers have done nj
good: now fight