The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-24
SOME LEADING EDITORIALS.
rHr PUBLIC coNcERNED.

Galveston Tribune.
Some weeks ago the Tribune became
convinced that agitation for libel law re-
form at this time was useless. Tnelegis-
latdre is drawing to a close and the opinion
is Justified In the failure of attempted hbel
legislation. But there is a possibility OF
special session. II that fall the pubic
must endure the present abrldgement Of
needful Information another two years
for as the Texas Press association at Dai-
las declared, the public after all is more
concerned than the newspaper.
Newspapers go and come. 1t matter lit
tie to the people whether this paper or that
succeed. One will take the place OF an
other wrecked by libel litigation. But 1t
matters great deal TO the people whether
their newspapers tell them what Is going
on. The paper that does not give the news
which some other paper gives is sure to
wsne In popularity and ultimately In rev.
enue. But If there is a kind Of news which
no reputable paper dares to give. the peo-
pie can not get at the information. II
they had ever had free access to such In
formation and IL were suddenly cut OF by
legislative action they would appreciate
the loss and demand its restoration. But
never having enjoyed the information IN
Texas they do not realize how they are
being deprived OF what is Justly theirs.
II Is not license to denounce men and
things which newspapers want. 1t is lib
erty to print the news of public affairs.
Not week passes but in some county OF
Texas there Is a development in city coun-
ell, council committee department or com
mission in commissioners court, county
office or other county function which the
newspapers do not dare TO publish be-
cause the legislature has refused to de-
clare official acts privileged and because
the courts have held that a petit Jury is
the source of libel law, that is, that every
thing IL libelous which a petit jury may
so declare.
If the Tribune were permitted it could
tell the people of Galveston much that
they ought to know about city and county
affairs-thngs which involve the fidelity
OF their officers and the management OF
their taxes, things which any citizen might
go to the city hall or to the court house
and ascertain for himself If he had the
time, but which ne expects to learn by
buying a newspaper.
According to population and patronage
Texas has the best newspapers in the
United States. They pay better wages
they give better service and earn less than
the newspapers of any section of the
country They do as much for their sew
eral communities but they are actually
more hampered In the publication OF legti-
mate news than the press of censored
Spain. That is a strong statement, but 1t
is none too strong. In fact, the Spanish
newspaper knows what 1t may or may not
print, while the Texas paper takes its
financial life In its hands every time it goes
to press for under the latest libel enun-
citation from an appellate court the news
paper IS made responsible for the mistakes
OF every officer whose actions It publishes
1t Is not their own battles the papers OF
Texas are fighting. 1t is the battle of the
people as heretofore and always.