The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-06-30

Hof 1892 that some newspapers repo-red
on the unsanitary condition of certain
houses in St Petersburg. Such criti-
clsm is forbidden throughout the en-
pre-, for not only does il disturb the
pubic mind, damage property and
business, keep visitors away, but it
also involves an insult to and criticism
or the officials to whom the sanitary
service is intrusted.
lntolerant and superfiuous comment
on candidates for local elections is
likewise forbidden. If newspapers
We're permitted TO give an opinion on
the character and the standing of can
oldates, that might prejudice the pee
pie against them in case of election.
IL would be interference of the worst
sort, and no good could come out of
SUCH practices, especially as the pas
slons of the franchise holders would he
unnecessarily aroused and the contro-
versy deenened
typographical Errors.
The name of the car and members
or the imperial family must never be
mentioned except in articles and items
reprinted from the Imperial Gazette.
Under ordinary circumstances there is
and there can be no exception from
this rule, which, also, in a measure,
apples to the ancestry of their majes-
lies. Editors must particularly refrain
from printing or abiding TO express
sions ascribed to either of their males
Ties. If an editor wants TO print an
item concerning these august person.
ages that has not previously appeared
IN the Official Gazette he shall submit
II to the minister of the imperial house,
VINO Will grant permission or withhold
II. as he sees fit. Typographical errors
IN the imperial name or in names of
members of the imperial family will
make the editor, publisher, foreman of
the composing room and the typesetter
liable to severe punishment.
When the car or cZarina is i'll, news
papers are allowed only to print such
bulletins and news that appears in the
Official Gazette. They are also forbid
den to print articles concerning the ma
ture of the illness from which the i'm
perial person may suffer. For in
stance, if the car has a cold, the news
papers must not print articles concern
ing catarrh, pneumonia or similar dis
eases. If public prayers are ordered
for the benefit of a sick member of the
family, editors are not allowed
to comment on the fact and if a mem
Der of the imperial family dies the
newspapers must not indulge in bound
less grief, as otherwise the respect and
the love due to the successor may be
lost sight of.
Those artistic Institutions which come
under the administration of the minis
ter of the imperial house are above crit
cism by the press, as such criticism
would necessarily reflect upon the high
official mentioned. He alone has the
right to judge the managers of these
Institutions, whom he appoints and di-
'ects. The st. Petersburg press recent
y commented upon quarrel between
he director of the imperial opera and
musician engaged by him. That was
Indecent interference on the part of the !
press, and the wrongdoers have been |
punished. If injustice is done to any
employee of an imperial institution the /
minister of the imperial house will hear /
II 1t and the matter will be rectified in /
he ordinary course of business. The
press has nothing to do with it.
The Punishments.
As to the punishments, there are
even kinds of them.
An editor may be forbidden to sell |
'oples OF his paper to anyone save
'early subscribers.
He may be asked to omit all ad-
-ertising matter from his columns.
He may be fined from 1000 to 5000
ubles, or sent 10 prison. or may be de-
'orted.
his newspaper may be suppressed by |
stroke of the pen
He may be otherwise severely pun
shed according to the gravity of the
harSe. otherwise" means a living
rave in Schlusselsburg, or the gal
ows. There is a general uncertainty
bout the punishments. They are not
made TO mt certain crimes. as outlined
y the new laws. but seem to be
hrown together in basket. from
'hlch the court extracts one or an
Their. according to its pleasure
Was public opinion ever more effectu-
lily suppressed? Was lese majestic ever
arrfed further? Perhaps once. under
ne Empress Anne, when il was a cap
al ofense to drop a coin upon the
DOR, for that coin was adorned by
er majesty's picture? But generally
more draconic measures of
ne kind were never enacted.
The world at large is directly inter-
sted in these press laws. because they
i'll affect foreign affairs The war
'rds of Austria, Italy and Germany
nd the governments of France and
ngland cannot add a single man to
leir armies without the consent of
leir parliaments; Russia has no par
ament. and the organs of publicity
lere are permitted to print only things
lat the administration wants to have
ubished, while the telegraph consOr-
Zip and the black cabinet" keep the
'reign correspondence in check