The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-18
EDITORS ARE IN SESSION
South and West Texas Press Association
at Cuero.
RESOLUTIONS ANfNr LACK OF 4 LIBEL LAW
Mr. Bnshick Reported Work Of M.
Committee and Was Encour-
aged TO Pcrsevere.

"''Nn lnciuuink the eultors and proprie-
tors Ct nearly all the daily and weekly
papers published in that portion Of Texas
indicated by Its name. convened here to-
! day in regular session with fair pro-
portion of Its membership in attendance.
All the arriving members were met at
the trains by the local reception commit
tee and shown every courtesy and a,ten-
ton. Nest OF the newspaper men are
quartered at the Mutt hotel.
The forenoon was consumed In COM
mittee work and the association was called
to order by President Crisp at o'clock
this afternoon, the sessions being held at
the Turner hall. The association was well
coined by Judge c. A. Summers In a neat
and felicitious speech
"Cuero is glad to entertain visitors"
said he, land all we ask is that when the
vexations and anxieties of the libel bill
shall have vanished from your minds that
you allow us to do so. Tho term address
of welcome sounds too formal to us OF
Cuero; we feel as II we would like TO
take you by the hand and tell you all We
are glad to see you
He described briefly the high mission and
usefulness OF free press and hoped II
would be bettered in order that 1t might
accomplish its high purposes aad render
the people the service which was expected
Of it,
Judge Summers address met with d
hearty reception.
G. Gillette OF the Runge News responded
happily to tho address OF welcome, re-
turning the thanks of the editors for the
hearty hospitality extended and compli-
menting the city of Cuero for its growth
and enterprise He invited the good poo
pie of Cuero to attend the sessions OF the
body. promising them that they would
hear everything discussed from the best
methods of dealing with the delinquent
subscriber and successfully coping with
the boil weevil condition which confronts
the farmer to the latest points upon secur-
ing to the press of Texas n decent libel
law, one which will permit the responsible
press OF the State to publish legitimate
news without the fear OF being robbed
through a suit for libel by some man
whose character never had any value, as
is the case under the present law Tor,
rather lack of law upon the subject.
After the disposition of routine matters
the following new members were elected
j. r. Crockett Flatonia Argus; w. 7.
Echoltz, Cuero Rundschau; G. W. Knight,
FL Campo Eagle: W. A. Johnston. Yoakum
r, s. Williams Of the Western Newspaper
Union of Houston was elected an honor
airy member.
Perhaps the most important matter be-
fore the association was next taken up In
the report OF the committee on libel re-
form. The chairman OF this committee,
Frank II. Bushck of the San Antonio Elk
press. addressed the association at length,
detailing the work of the committee since
The last meeting in calling public atten-
ton to the lack and necessity for fair
Legislation governing civil libel, such as
is in accord with the constitutional guar
antee of free press and such as prevails
in nearly all the other States Of the Union.
He pointed cut the unjust liability OF re-
sponsible journalism TO speculative and
blackmail suits for damages, as well as
the inability of the press 10 ventilate of
flcial matters in which the public is in
terested, citing as instance recent
scandal in official life uncovered by the
Legislature, but which the papers had been
precuded from printing.
Mr.. Bushick reviewed effort to obtain
the passage of the libel reform bill
through the legislature and OF the in
fuences in opposition thereto, but ex-
pressed the belief that a majority OF the
legislators are favorable. and if the OBJ
structionists could be outgeneraled, 1t was
sim possible that libel reform bill could
be passed. He admonished the association
| TO continue its good work until the force
OF public opinion recognizing the justice
and necessity Of libel reform would make
It an issue in every party platform and in
sure ultimate success.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Bushicli's re-
port the following resolution was passed
by an unanimous vote:
lie IL resolved, l. That the south
and West Texas Prcss association,
in convention assembled, does most
heartily and unanimously rcitcrRte
its protest against the Injustice
done honest publishers and TO the
pcopIe of Texas resulting from The
lack of civil statute governing
! libel. fair alike TO the prcss and
public, as promised by the consti-
tuition.
= That we urRe upon the Iegisla-
turc now in session the public ne
cessity of passing the hill known
ms the Greenwood libel bill or som e
equivalent embracing the three car
] dipai reforms demanded, towit; "a
| The definition of IibeIi (2) The Spe-
| ciiicntion of privileged publications;
/ go The elimination of the prcsump-
/ lion of malice by leaving the 1ues-
/ ton of malice as well ms dam
nges issues of proof for the Jury 10
| decide from the evidence. as is now
the law in most other states.
! .. That copies of these resoIu-
tons. signed and attested by the
proper officers of this association,
be sent the honorable speaker, To
he laid before the honorable house
of Representatives and to the hon
orabIe lieutenant governor TO be
laid before the honorable senate.
Very respectfully,
Ii Frank II. Bushick,
John Moore,
n. G. GiIlett,
u l.. ). Bruciss,
c. II. Lehman,
II. r. MARI,
Committee.
After resolution By Mr.. Beach OF the
Gonzales Inquirer that the resolution be
wired the leading daily newspapers. the
Il