The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-13
Long Statement by Governor Penny
packer Giving His Reasons for
signing the Bill.
CONTAINS GOOD FEATURES
NEW LAW WILL TEND TO STAMP OUT
YELLOW JOURNALISM
Libelous Cartoons, Infammntory Ut
terances and the Trial OF Persons
by the Press Not Permitted.
HARRISBURG. Pa. May is-covernor

Pennypacker approved the Graoy-Saies IA
bel bill to-day and at the same time issued
a long statement giving the reasons Tor
his action. The bill. which was IN the Gov
ernor's hands for more taan month. ana
goes into effect Immediately, repeats all laws
or parts of laws inconsistent with the new
act.
The Governor says in his statement that
the questions raised by the bill are or very
grave Importance and affect large business
interests. the freedom OF speech and the
press. the right of the citizen to be IN
formed concerning current affairs and the
conduct of the government as well as ms
right to protect his reputation and home
from the injuries that rise from Careless
ness or neglect. as well as malicious Iaise
report. In his opinion they are OF impor-
lance for the further reason that which
ever way decided. the fact that they are
raised indicates a widespread dissatistac-
ton with existing conditions and their cor
rect decision is likely TO have an erect
within and without the commonwealth
They are deserving. therefore. OF the most
careful consideration and the conclusion,
unaffected by any personal feelings and un-
swayed by any fear of personal conse-
quences. ought to he reached upon the
high plane of what viii be for the best OK
the people.
The Governor claims there is nothing In
the terms of the measure which prevents
any newspaper from making such COM
ments upon legislative measures or upon
the official acts of State. municipal. county
or public officers are proper. information
of the public, or are in the lire OF legiti-
mate public discussion. Continuing he says:
in
fined to officials, but affects as well the
citizen or business man whose conduct cen
stitutes no part of the right OF the public
to information. The corporation officer who
has been falsely charged with crime. the
manufacturer who las been falsely ac-
cused of being drunken brawler the wo-
man whose domestic griefs have been I'M
feelingly paraded, or whose chastity is I'M
properly suspected. the student who has
been falsely accused OF murder, the clergy
man who has been cruelty maligned. the
quiet citizen whose peace OF mind has been
destroyed by the publication of evil gossip.
fected by groundless rumors the sufferers
from reckless but not necessary malicious
publications are given the right. not 10
damages which they have sustained, pro-
vided they prove negligence or lack OF care
on the part of the publishing newspapers.
All these are instances OF what has IN TACT
recently occurred.
INSTANCES POINTED OUT.
within few days. in a leading article
on the first page Of the Daily Journal. UNI
der large headlines, upon a rumor OF UNI
known source as to the name OF the sug-
gested appointee to the position of prothon-
otary of the Supreme Court, when no APP
pointment had been made and no utter
ance official or otherwise, had emanated
from any member of that court. that
high tribunal was subjected to a covert as
sault under the words. Machine After
Control Of the Supreme Court A mayor
Of our chief city has been called a traitor. q
senator of the United States has been de-
nounced as a yokel with sodden brain,
and within the last quarter OF century
two Presidents of the United States have
been murdered and in each instance the
cause was easily traceable TO infiammatory
and careless , newspaper ptterance Geo. car ar
question with entire precision An ugly IT.
tie dwarf. representing the Governor Of the
Commonwealth, STANDS on a crude stool
The stool is subordinate to aud placed
alongside a huge printing press. with
wheels as large as those OF an OK team. and
all are so arranged as to give the IDEA that
cupant will be thrown to the ground. Put
into words. the cartoon asserts 10 the
world that the press IS above the law and
greater in strength taan the government.
No such self-respectirg people VIII permit
such an attitude TO be long maintained. In
England. century ago. the offender would
have been drawn and quartered and his
head stuck upon the pole without the
gates. In America to-day this is the kind
OF arrogance which goeth before fall
The Governor says IL such abuse or
privileges allowed to the press Is 10 go un-
punished. If such tales are permitted TO be
poured into the ears OF men and TO be
profitable. IL Is idle to contend that reputa-
BILE newspapers can maintain their purity.
He also says that many years experience
on the bench has led him TO the conclusion
that crimes are widely propagated. not by
the malice, but by the recklessness OF the
-. L. 81
among them murder, the accused were at
times convicted or acquitted before they
reached the courtroom He claims that the
the ordinary rule of damages for want OF
reasonable care. and that no harm can
come from the provision In the bill requir-
prietor, publisher ard managing editor
should be printed with each issue of a
newspaper published in Pepnsylvania.
ALL PAPERS AFFECTED.
The Governor argues that the omission OF
the word weekly" from the provisions Of
the bill was unwise. but in no sense fatal.
and that If hereafter newspaper should
be issued every other day or twice a day
and thus not be included in the descriptive
words used IL would. as well as the Jour
nails published weekly, be covered by the
general enacting words. and be subject to
the provisions Of the act. After discussing
briefly the question TO whether
the bill passed the House of Representa-
tives in regular FORM the Governor con-
cludes his statement as follows: The pro-
posed legislation has been regarded by a
large proportion of the reputable press with
great misgivings IL Is natural that this
should be the case The future IL ever
uncertain and the easy way 70 avoid the
dangers ahead Is TO stand still. This II
nevertheless not a wise course. The boy.
conscious of many lapses. who Is invited by
a stern father into private room. enters
with a dread. and yet the purpose may only
be 10 arrange for the coming holidays.
When the gardener comes with his hoe into
the garden which has been left to run wild
II Is safe TO say that IL Is the mullen and
not the pea which In likely 10 suffer This
bin may not be the best possible legislation,
but the purpose is corntnendable. and should
experience show IL 10 be detective. some
thing better may be devised IL ought 10
be cordially and cheerfuliy accepted by
the reputable press for they have a spe-
cial interest in its becoming law Where
the tares occupy the ground the wheat
perishes. IL threatens them with no dan
ger Seeking TO utter the truth and not
the falsehood. what have they 10 fear7
Into our courts. where learned judges
administer the law with fidelity and Juries
are drawn from the masses Of the people
well fitted TO determine who is the wrong
doer they are not likely 10 be summoned.
o. II summoned they may so with entire
safety. This much if certain Since the
laws OF God and nature are immu,able and
fnexorable. unless means are found IN m