The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-09


Gcn S. D. Atkins is president OF the
Illinois Press Association. He married
daughter of the late Governor Swan, OF
North Carolina. He is an able man, one
of the best editors in Illinois. In his an
nual message to the Association Gen. At
kins discusses two matters of great in
terest. We quote from the address:
CONTEMPT OF COURT.
l believe that the officers of our courts
are officers of the law, and have no more
reason to be free from criticism by the
press than the President of the United
States, Senators, members of Congress,
or any other public officials. 1t will be
conceded that judges may, in transacting
business in court, punish for contempt
any one who commits an offense in their
presence and hearing, during the session
of the court, That is necessary that
business may be conducted in an orderly
and digniied manner. But l do not be-
lieve that any judge who considers him
self clapdcrcd by publication outside of
the court room should have the power to
cite the editor of the paper before him
that he may act as witness, judge, jury
and executioner in his own case, by i'm
prisoning any one without trial by jury.
The President of the United States could
not do that, and no judge of any court
should be permitted to do it. If he has
been slandered let him have the same
remedy that any other official has, suit
for damages. Give the editor the priv
ilege of proving the truth OF all he has
said. and punish him as severely as you
please, if the editor has lied. That would
be fair play. urge that the country edl-
tors of Illinois demand that the next
Legislature pass a law providing Tor
Jury trial before some other judge, IN all
cases of contempt of court not committed
in the presence and hearing of the judge.
POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
BENJAMIN Franklin, a member OF our
honorable profession, was the frst 10
draw lightning from the clouds that now
flashes intelligence around the world tas-
ter than the wind. When the telegraph
was invented it was attached to ana pc
came a part of the Postoffice Department
of this country. 1t was not SO long ago,
l remember it we'll, it appears to me 1t
was only yesterday, from 1874 TO 1885,
and if Benjamin Franklin, who was the
first Postmaster General in America, mad
been at that time at the head OF the
Postoffice Department instead OF cave
Johnston. that great vehicle of intelli-
eence would not have been Wrenched
from the Postoffice Department, where II
nronerlv belongs, and turned over to
private corporation, an octopus, trust.
That was an awful mistake, and the pup
fishers of this country have suffered from
II more than all other classes of citizens
hnf oln
than all others put together. When
steam was discovered the PostoHlce De
nartment adopted steam and discarded
the mail coach and horse-back rider De
cause steam was quicker than horse,
and if that was right, and 1t was rlgnI'
then lightning that has now become the
willing servant of man, should dlSpldce
steam in the transmission of intelligence
in the postal service. 1t is going u oo
done. England did it in 1870, thlrty-Iwo
wears ago, and this country VIII 40 ~
some time because it is logically TleuC
that the Postoffice Department shoulo use
the swiftest means of transmitting lntel-
ligence. and the great Republic is grow
ins, so RAPIDLY that we must communicate
for a postage stamp on the hgnInlhs
swift wings with our fellow citizens IN all
rarts of the United States. Inc eulIolS
and publishers of this country are more
6eeply interested than any other class oi
citizens in restoring the telegraph to the
nostal service. 1t would aid them IN the
work ,of publishing all the news ana II
would reduce their tolls rs per cent, ana
am unable to see why every publisher
IN tho limited States does not demand II
| of Congress, and if they should an ac'
toootbor they could enforce their demand
and greatly benefit themselves and the
public at large.