The record-union., 1899-02-24
THE ANTI-cARrooN Law.

The anti-cartoon bill was passed by
the Assembly, where it originated, by
so pronounced vote that there could
be no mfstaking the temper of the rep
resentatives of the people. It went to
the Senate, was amended, and defeated
upon narrow vote. This vote was
reconsidered, and aided by the villain
Gus assault upon Assemblyman john
son by the San Francisco Cali in a
cartoon, the Senate yesterday passed
the bill, sent it to the Assembly, which
concurred, almost unanimously and
ernor, who signed it, and last night it
became a law Of the people, in a Gov
eminent where the people alone are
the law makers and rulers.
AS a rule hasty legislation, that
passed in the heat of passion, is bad
legislation. But this measure was
passed by the Assembly early, and IN
calm, and had deliberate consideration
and ample debate in both houses. Its
final stages of transformation into law
alone We're hurried.
The Legislature was justified in its
action 1t had come to pass that no
man felt himself, however pure his
motive or clean his ambition, free from
the menace, the COW, the threat and
intimidation of the hireling cartoonist,
thinly yelling his dictated venom be-
hind the pretense of humor. No home
has been sacred before the inquisitive
ness Of yellow Journalism and its cor
rupting methods. The plastic mind of
youthful conscience made callous to
what else should shock it by reason of
the indecent illustrated journalism Of
the day.
Maidenhood has ceased to have
bushes in evidence of modesty, and
maniiness has suffered humiliation to
spare loved ones, which else had ter
ribly avenged, the crimes Of the satirisr,
so-called. in modern sensational jour-
nalism. Against this expanding bale
full influence, this journal has for years
lifted its voice. 1t has prophesied long
that the end must come; that society
would not forever stomach the offense.
We think that the dawn of the be-
ginning Of that end is at hand.
The anti-cartoon bill is now the law
of the State, as solemn and presumably
effective a law as any other on the
statute books 1t remains to be seen
whether it will be enforced 1t is we'll
understood that its enforcement will be
difficult. because of the fear the jour
nails who use such weapons inspire
among men; not because of their
righteous power, but by reason of their
unconscionable and mendacious course
and system. a system which has for
it's first law canon, that no matter
what wrong is done, or what error
committed, or falsehood uttered. IL
must not be righted, retracted, or JUS
tice be accomplished.
Nevertheless it is possible to enforce
such a law, and that its enforcement
may be attempted at once is most de-
sirable that the test of its constitution
atty may be made squarely and early
If it is determined that under the Con-
stitution the people can have no pro-
lection. against the scurrillous cartoon,
that society must suffer under the cor
rupting Influence of such agencies, 1t
ought to be known speedily. that we
NAV the earlier ascertain under which
King free men live.
In this connection, believing that the
laws prior to the passage of the anti
cartoon Act were ample to prevent
malicious and libeIous use of the car
toon. we call attention not only to the
libel laws which prevent the use of
pictorial, unjustifiable libel and excess
of privilege, but to that special statute
in the Penal Code, which seems to
be intended to reach just such cases as
the present, and which makes it crime
punishable by Imprisonment in the State
Prison to attempt by meance, sup
preston of truth or any corrupt means"
to influence a member in giving or with
holding his vote in house Of the Legis-
1ature. P. C. 49,
Possibly'it may be held that this can