The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-04-25
LIBEL BILL PROTEST
Pennsylvania Editors Urge Governor
Pennypacker to Veto II.
ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST


Simpson, Jr, and r. c. Dale In
Favor OF It-some Legal Arguments.
Harrisburg. Pa. April p. - Every
important newspaper in Pennsylvania
was represented at the hearing on the
Grady-Salus libel bill by Governor
Pennypacker in the hall OF the house
OIL representatives. Attorney General
carson sat with the governor through
out the hearing. but neither indicated
what would be the governors action
on the measure. The governor said
the Dill was a very important one. and
ne was anxious to hear both sides. and
ne suggested that two representatives
from each side be heard in order To
save time. He also suggested that
the opponents of the bin be heard first.
The opening speech was. made by
Charles Emory Smith. of the Phila.
deiphia Press. who was presented bv
Thomas V. Cooper. of the Media
American. At the outset of Mr.. Smiths
address Governor Pennypacker took
exception to his use Of the word in
solentiy aud suggested that it would
be well for the speakers to omit strong
adJecuves. Mr.. Smith accepted the
suggestion, saying at the time that he
spoke strongly because be felt strong.
ly.
During Mr.. Smiths argument that
the bill did not include weekly news
papers tbs governor interrupted him
to say that he thought it applied to /
all newspapers. Mr.. Smith replied
that he believed weekly newspapers
were excluded from the provisions of
the measure. Governor Pennypacker
again Interrupted Mr.. Smith before he
had proceeded much further to argue
that the bill clearly applies to all
newspapers, weekly or dailies.
Alexander Simpson, Jr., of Phila-
delphia. in urging the governor to sign
the bill. said the highest court OF
Pennsylvania has declared that there
is a necessity for a change in the
laws governing newspapers and read
from an opinion OF the supreme court
in the case of eN-Nayor Smith against
the Philadelphia Times lie read sew
eral other opinions by the supreme
court 10 prove his contention that the
liberty OF the press should be re-
strained THIS bill he declared. is de-
signed TO hinder the abuse OF the IL
cense Of the press by a very small
minority Of the newspapers of the
state
Richard c. Dale. of PHILADELPHIA.
also spoke in favor of the bill. He
answered Mr.. Smiths argument that
the bill was loosely and carelesslv
drawn and endeavored to prove by
quoting its various sections that it
was on the contrary measure very
well put together and capable. in his
opinion. OF wjthstanding any attack |
that may be made upon it If it be- |
comes a law.
Thomas V. Cooper made the closing |
argument against the bill. claiming |
the constitution had been violated in /
passing the bill. and that it did not /
properly receive the endorsement of /
both houses of the legislature.
When Mr. Cooper concluded the
governor said that if any one OF the
speakers selected by the newspaper
owners was a lawyer who desired to
answer the legal arguments presented
by Mr.. Simpson and Mr.. Dale he
would be pleased to hear him.
Cyrus G. Derr. attorney for the
Reading Eagle was thoreupon intro
duced. Mr.. Derr dwelt upon the in
righteousness and uhconstitutionality
of the proposed law. He says a new
feature is introduced into the libel
law, by which negligence is made
equivalent to malice and this feature
he deemed most unwise. He arg-ed
that the bill discriminates against the
newspapers of Pennsylvania in favor
of those printed in other states and
circulated in this state.
The governor concluded the hear
ing by the announcement: " am
obliged to you gentlemen for the help
you have given me-"
Mr. Smith then handed to the gov
ernor over one hundred letters from
editors of newspapers in Pennsylvania
who were unable TO be present at the
hearing urging him TO veto the bill.