Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1903-05-14

There are about 80, 900 automobiles
in use in the United States-nOt
counting our own.
The famous Grady-Salus libel bill is
law. Now Mr.. Publisher will you
be good and follow the example of
Georgie Washington.
Laundry prices are said to be go
ing up all over the country, but for
tunately we had our shirt washed
last week.
Democratic editors who have lab
ored so hard to prove the existence
of conflict of interests between Sen
ator Hanna and the President, will
have to guess again.
This is the time of year when one
wishes that the scientific gentleman
who found the germ of laziness
would hurry up and find the proper
toxin. Laporte should be quaran-
tined. 1t is spreading badly and of
a virulent kind, taking the strongest
hold on the system mornings when
rising.
Three sensational stories regarding
Miss Roosevelt have lately been wide
ly printed. All were interesting but
untrue. The papers printing them
enjoyed large sales, which no doubt
accounts largely for such howl in
certain newspaper circles over the
Governors approval of the new libel
act.
Governor Pennypacker on Tues
day approved the Grady-Salus libel
bill on which certain publications
have been making much unfavorable
comment since its passage. The
News Item is not bit worried over
the situation. 1t is not in the libel
ing business and in consequence is
not in the least affected. So called
modern journalism of late years has
overestimated its freedom of speech.
There is evidence enough that
hault must be called, and using the
language of the Governor can no
better explain the motives of this
Act when he says: "This bill may
not be the best possible legislation,
but the purpose is commendable,and
should experience show it to be de-
tective something better may be de-
vised. 1t ought to be cordially and
cheerfully accepted by the reputable
press, for they have special inter-
est in it's becoming law. Where
the tares occupy the ground the
wheat perishes. 1t threatens them
with no danger. Seeking to utter
the truth and not the falsehood, what
have they to fear?" The press must
now stop its lying, at least in this
State. We see nothing wrong in
that. Papers will be little dry read
ing for some with nothing but plain
facts for news, and it may work some
financial loss to the "red" kind,
usually called "yellow."
The Rev. S. b. Bidlack, formerly
of this place, on Sunday last officia-
ted at the laying of the corner srone
of the new M. E. Church at Maple
ton, which is one of Rev. Bidlack's IS
appointments.
A. f. Zimmerman, game and fish
warden of Mexican county, last week
arrested Hon. A. ]. Avery, Associ.
ate Judge of Potter County, for hav-
ing trout in his possession under six
inches in size. He was fined $lOt
which he paid.
Lawrence Bros, who recently
bought the planning mill property o.
S. E. Sprout and Co., took charge OF
May 1st. The plant is being thor
oughly overhauled and when th'
improvements are completed it vii
be one of the best planning mill plant
along the river. The gentlemen
comprising the firm are thorough
business men and all orders intrust
: ed to their care will receive promp
, and careful attention.-Muncy Lu
minary.