The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-28
THE REASON FOR THE LAW.

The more one studies the newspaper gag law recently enacted in Pennsylvania the plainer does it become that the object of i it was to protect the ringsters and looters who have so long controlled that State, and to prevent their exposure. The city of Pittsburg was one of the places which suffered worst from ring rule. Finn, strengthened by Quay the boss ringster of the country. controlled and robbed Pittsburg in way that seems incredible, but there IS no room to doubt their villianies. The Portland Oregonian, a Republican newspa per, thus alludes to some of the acts of the ring: -t5
 They sold a slot-mdchine concession that was worth to them S250000 a year. Places where liquor was illegally sold and disorderly houses were owned and leased by the ring. Rents were exor- bitant. Furniture had to be purchased from the 'official' dealer at three times it's value. All liquor supplies were bought only from the official bottler at double prices This was the old Tan1inany trick: 1t was Garvey the plasterer, Philoin the plumber, over again, but while 1t was the old trick. 1t was far more skilfully executed; no legal line of discovery was left. No signatures were forged; the lowed. as they were in the operations of the Tweed ring. The inmates of disor- derly houses were forced to buy their clothing of the agents of the ring, always paying twice the cost. In this way Pittshurg was systematically robbed by the ring without the observation or knowl- edge of the taxpayers until Magee quar- reled with Quay, just as Tweed quarreled ...rA n. -4r n E~t- s..1A af A of Minneapolis and St. Louis quarreled among themselves.
 It was to protect such thieverv as this, and to save the rascals from exposure, the Quay-Pennypacker law was put through. True, Pittsburg was not the only sufferer, but what we have quoted is fair sample of the conditions which prominent newspapers of the State, of all parties, by cartoons. editorials and in other ways were making it so hot for the principals that they found it neces- sary to gag the press or be driven out If power, anu into obscurity, if not into prison Something had to be done to save them, and Quay and his creatures did that something. That is the whole secret of the disgraceful legislation which these wolves hoped would save them. The indications are that it will have an exact ly opposite effect. Prominent newspapers and magazines which were disposed to maintain silence if they did not actually approve ring methods, have felt so out ragged at the efforts to suppress a free expression of opinion that they have re- volted and are now among the warmest enemies of the new law. They see that if this law can be enforced there Is noth- ing to prevent the enactment and en- forcement of law which will make 1t crime for Q ne ewspaper TO criticise any public official in an unfavorable manner
 Tt Is the first step that counts" we are told, and most readers are familiar with the old story of the Arab and the camel. The latter asked leave to put his nose inside the Ar abs tent and when that privilege was accorded him he fol- lowed it up by going in bodily and taking entire possession. This law, of which Quay is the father, is the first step-the camers nose. If it can be made effective the newspapers of Pennsylvania may look for such further and moro drastic legislation as will put them out of Dusi- ness