The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-05-18

treat the whole matter as joke, but the
city journals take much more serious
view OF the case and are opposed to the
statute ~
Briefly, the law provides that every ar
ticle. statement or publication printed or
published in the state of California. which
tends to blacken the memory OF one who
is dead. or to impeach the honesty. integ
rity virtue or reputation. or publishes the
natural or alleged defects OF one who is
alive. and exposes him to public hatred,
contempt or ridicule, must be supple
lnented by the true name of the writer of
such article, written or printed at the end
thereof
The editor. owner. proprietor or pub
Usher OF any paper violating the provis-
ions OF the law shall forfeit ST 900 for
each article appearing without signature.
This sum may be collected by civil suit.
half OF the amount going to the plaintiff
and half to the state Exception is made
i'll the cases OF syndicates and agencies
sending news by telegraph. which have
established business names. These bust
ness names. however, must be signed to
the articles printed
The bill was introduced bv Senator H.
V. Morehouse OF Santa Clara county and
with the assistance OF both Democrats
and Republicans was pushed to final pas
sage. 1t was signed by Governor Gage,
March 81 and will go into effect at the
expiration OF thirty days
Such is the story OF the law in brief as
told by the records, but back OF all this
there IS much more unwritten history
telling OF the origin of measure which
may be far reaching in its effects. More
house was probably influenced largelyb by
personal motives in the introduction of
the bill. but there is no question that the
senatorial deadlock and the bitter attacks
On various members of the legislature
materially aided in the passage OF the
measure.
Two years ago, when a member OF the
legislature for the first time Morehouse
was cartooned mercilessly by San Fran
cisco paper. The iron pierced his soul
and he longed for satisfaction. but under
the laws as they existed the only remedy
was libel suit with its doubtful result.
Since then he has been camping on the
trail OF the newspapers, and, aided by AS
senbyman formerly congressman
Grove l.. Johnson and others who had
reason to know and feel the power of the
press. he secured the passage of the sig
nature and anti-cartoon laws. He also
IL
homicide for one who had been libeled to
kill the reporter or editor responsible, but
tie lawmakers were not willing to 90 SO
lar.
The session OF the legislature which re-
Gently ended was marked by the most bit
ter contest fer United States senator ever
held IN this state, and in spite of the ex-
pendlture OF liberal sums OF money by
various candidates. and although the inn
mense power OF the corporations was ex-
erted to the tull, no senator was chosen.
Out of this deadlock, which lasted for
more than two months OF daily balloting,
grew much bitter feeling.
Members were CartOOned and lOmDOOn-
cd by the press, nearly every individual
legislator being personally attacked by one
or more journals. These members felt
that II they could but know the identity
OF those who from day to day scored
them Ill the columns of the press they
would be able to guard themselves better
and Ill the last resort could obtain per-
sonal satisfaction. They ielt. too. that ii
reporter or editor knew that his identity
must become known. the sharp edge
might be taken from his criticisms.
In TACT 1t would compel the writer's to
come out from behind the journals which
employed them and permit them to be
held personally accountable for their
words. More than all else. the authors OF
this law hoped it would prove the ounce
OF prevention which would stop the per-
sonal attacks OF which they had been the
victims
This is just law. We wish Minnesota
had one like it, We would even favor
that other stringent proposition, making
unjust newspaper abuse justification for
the murder OF the libeler. No man, be-
cause he is sheltered behind a lot of tvpe
and presses, has any right to degrade and
debase his fellowman, fill his life with
agony and cover him. even in the grave
with iniamy. I'D.