The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-22
Peunypacker's Troubles.

Samuel w. Pennypacker, governor OF
Pennsylvania, has troubles of his own.
Every newspaper in that state is taking
liberties with his name, the cartoonist Is
making life burden for him and the
paragrapher is having him appear rldic-
ulous in the ees of the public. few
days ago the governor affixed his sig
nature to bill, passed by the legisla-
ture, which creates drastic libel law.
This law provides that the name or
names of the owners of newspapers
shall be published at the top of the edi-
torial column under penalty of from $500
to $1,000 for each issue. Also the names
of the responsible editors shall appear
conspicuously. The law calls for COM
pensatory and punitive damages for neg
Hgence upon the part of owners, edl-
tors, etc. in ascertaining facts and both
kinds of damages for physical and men
tai sufferings endured by the injured
narties." Both cartoons and headlines
come under the ban. The governor
signed the bill against the united pro"
test of every newspaper in the state,
and now there is not one newspaper but
what is openly defying it. For the pur'
pose of making sport of the law several
newspapers have printed at the top OF
their editorial columns the names OF the
proprietors, editors, reporters, printers
and the office "devil" The cartoonists
have made Pennypaeker look pretty
much like the Teutonic gentleman OF old
and the man who writes verses has dedi-
Gated numerous stanzas to the chief
executive of the Quaker state. Taking
it all round Pennypacker is having the
time of his life.
Libel laws are necessary In every
state They are needed for the pro
lection of the public, but the measure
enacted in Pennsylvania is too drastic
by far. and instead of safeguarding the
people, it will simply work to the advan-
tage of dishonest and INSCRIPTIONS men
Honest and upright men do not fear the
newspapers. Those whose actions will
not bear the light of investigation hail
the adoption of the libel law with great
pleasure. Pennypacker and his crowd
would suppress the newspapers. They
want servile press, press that will
be afraid to express its opinions upon
men and measures and attack rascallty
1t is to be regretted that in some COM
munities newspapers of that character
are now published. Newspapers that
fail to print the news or to give expires
sion of opinions upon questions of vital
Importance to the cities in which they
are published for fear offense will be
given to a certain element are not held
in high regard by the whole people. A
courageous newspaper, like courageous
man, should be admired. The great
majority of readers do admire news
paper that is fearless. They have moth
ing but pity and contempt for the news
paper that is afraid to express its honest
convictions.
In Pennsylvania the libel law which
has stirred up such commotion, is the
work of gang of politicians and cor
ruptionists which has received the merit
ed condemnation of the press of that
state Taking advantage of the oppor
tunity these politicians succeeded ii
rushing through the Legislature the bill
which Governor Pennypacker signed last
Thursday. This law simply is one de
signed to muzzle the press.