Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-21
REJECTING THE MUzzLE,
Pennsylvania Newspapers Give the
Governor the Real Thing.

PennsylvAniG Newspapers give the
Governor the Real Thing.
When Governor .~Penpypacker of Penn
sylvsnia approved the act designed to
muzzle the press OF the state he also broke
into a nest Of hornets. the like Of which
no official of the Keystone state has ever
gone against. With a unanimity hitherto
unknown In the state the newspapers at
tack the new law and the governors mes
sage of approval and challenge all con-
cerned TO test the law in the courts. There
is no abatement of criticism of public
officials, no desire to show the law or its
authors the slightest respect. Cartoonist
Nelan of the Philadelphia North Ameri-
can. mentioned by the governor as an out
cast" threatens a suit for libel. mean
time relieving his feelings in cartoons cal
culated to make the tender-hilted governor
smart with rage. The North American has
also enlisted the services of cartoonists
McDougall and Bergman. who are throw
ing pictorial hot shot at the chief execu-
tive of the state. .
An organization Of publishers has been
formed to contest the law in the courts.
As the North American was singled out
by the governor as the particular offender,
the publishers OF the paper decline to
enter the association, preferring to contest
the law alone. There are considerations
involved" says the American, which make
It proper and expedient that this news
paper should meet the emergency isolated.
The North American is firmly convinced
that the freedom Of the press Is immovably
fixed upon the foundation OF the Constitu-
ton of this state and Of the United States,
and tina no law, passed in blind haste
and approved in foolish rage, can destroy
that freedom. Therefore 1t accepts the
challenge individually and will night its
battle singly."
Governor -Pennypacker is a Pennsylvania
dutchman whose style. Of physical archi-
lecture provides an ideal basis for the
| cartoonists. He is an ardent pursuer of
the quaint and unusual bug. an authority
on Pennsylvania history, an expert on
ancestry, a botanist Of repute and an in
tense admirer of Senator Quay, whom he
declared In a political speech during his
gubernatorial campaign to be greater than
"either Clay or Webster"
Governor Pennypacker was cartooned by
the democratic and 'insurgent" repubn-
can papers, as were Senators Quay and
Penrose. This the governor resented ana
to It he refers in his apology for signing
the bill. II is this apology which furnished
much of the material for the present news
paper war upon him.
one OF the cartoons drawn with serious
| intent represents the governor as Don
ouixote charging on the ancient windmill.
II should be explained that 1t was not the
artists intention to represent the news
papers as windmills.
The PHILADELPHIA Press, edited by ex-
Postmaster General Smith. rivals the North
American in pictorial and editorial con-
tempt and satire. and is equally determined
to force the law to a test "The news
papers of Pennsylvania, without regard TO
marty" says the Press. have never been
40 united on any question before as they
/ are in condemning this vicious act ana all
who were instrumental In making II q
law. 1t is regarded as an assault upon
all, and they are not TO be expected 10
support those who refused TO listen 10
them and who have sought, though V@lnly'
TO destroy their usefulness TO the public.
Without newspaper support few OF these
men would ever have reached the places
from which they were enabled to strike
a dastardly blow against the press. With
such support now withheld they viii
Quickly drop from public life. No measure
that the Pennsylvania legislature ever
passed has left so many political wrecks IN
it's wake. There are not many districts In
which the supporters of the muzzler VIII
dare afront the people by seeking re-
nomination"
The philadelphia Inquirer. a loyal party
paper. treats the law with Indifference
While other papers obey the clause OF the
law recurring papers to publish the names
Of responsible owners and editors the IN
ouirer contents itself with name OF the
publisher. The sentiments OF the inquirer
are thus expressed;
arhe free communication of thoughts
md opinions is one OF the invaluable risnts
~ man. ana every citizen may freely
snsak. write and print on any subject be-
,pg responsibie for the abuse of that lib
erty.'
constitution?
'Pshaw!
.TFirst Of all II will be necessary TO declare
the constitution unconstitutional
.The bill has become the playthins and
the Joke OF every respectable ana thinkihs
newspaper in the. United states'
$50 far as Pennsylvania Is concerned,
q hasn't time 70 bother with Jokes. II
Relieves IN liberty and Independence and
stands by it's constitution given rights"
A hint Of what may happen to the poll
t,cIans Is indicated by the Philadelphia
record. which says: There is a move
ment on foot among the daily newspapers
Of philadelphia, Pittsburg and other cities
70 make no report Of the machine state
convention at Harrisburg week after next
In the absence Of busy special correspond
ents there would be no reports OF the
speeches OF the machine leaders laudins
themselves and each other and expressing
approval Of Governor Pennypacker's apoi-
oRy for the mueller. The convention would
thus be consigned TO cimmerian gloom
As the nominations Of the convention are
already slated, including that OF William
p. Snyder, one OF the muzzlers for auditor
general. the omission Of any reports OF
. -----.a4nza ugottlN h. M lOaa TO the