Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-04-21
Gteat Plea fo1
Freedom ofPress
Cha'hs Emory Smith in BehaF of The NerospopeS Of
Pennsylvania, Makes an Argument Befose Gov Penny
packer Against GRADY -SaluS Libel BW-Lntamy and
Injustice Of The Measure Shown Up in rs Tsue Light

Harrisburg, Pa, April 2l-Every i'm
portant newspaper in Pennsylvania was
represented at the hearing on the Gra-
dy-Salus libel bill Ly Gov Pennypacker
today In the hail Of the house OF rep
resentatiyes Atty. Gen. Carson sat
with tn governor throughout the hear
ing but neither indicated what would
be the governors action on the meas
ure.
The governor and Attorney general
arrived in the hall promptly at 10
o'clock and We're greeted with applause.
The governor said the bill was a very
important one and he was anxious to
hear both sides, and he suggested that
two reports from each side be heard
In order to save time. He also sug-
gested that the opponents of the bill
be heard first.
The opening speech was made by
Charles Emory Smith, of the Philadel-
phia Press, who was presented by
Thomas V. Cooper of the Media Ameri-
can. AT the outset Of Mr.. Smiths ad-
dress, Gov. Pennypacker took exception
20 his use of the word "lnsolently"
and suggested that II would be well for
the speakers to omit strong adjectives.
Mr.. Smith accepted the suggestion,say-
ing at the same time that he spoke
strongly because he felt strongly,
SMITHS SPEECH.
Mr. Smith eoId a, mart.
AT the outset ] beg TO thank your
excellency for granting this hearing,
You have given us what the legislature
ruthlessly and insolently denied us.
This bill was rushed through that body
with unbtcoming If not Indecent, haste,
In contempt Of the spirit Of the consi-
tuition, and as I believe. In disregard
TO its letter II deeply affects our
rights and our property. We asked for
the hearing TO which we were entitled
in the commonest fair play among men.
We were cOntemptuously refused all OPP
pOrtunity TO defend our rights and to
protest against what we believe TO be
a monstrorr wrong, and this shameful
refusal compels US TO appeal to the fair
ness, the rectltude, and the justice Of
the governor OF the commonwealth.
1--WE ARE OF ONE ACCORD"
I'VE are here in great numbers from
all parts Of the state We are Of one
accord and we are profoundly IN ear
nest We believe that our most vital
rights and interests are at stake and
we must In common manhood defend
them now and hereafter. We stand for
the Just liberty of the press but not
for its abuse. We do not object 10 any
wholesome restraint upon irresponsible,
malicious and licentlous journalism,
nor DO we desire that the bars against
libelous publications shall be let down.
We accept the law which holds us re-
sponsible for actual injury when lntiict-
ed by our publications, even though in
advertent and unlntended. for we know
that this is one OF the necessary risks
Of our business. In the main. the press
reflects the public tone and temper IL
the people want
FOLLY OF THE BILL.
"The great folly Of this bill is that It
Is utterly ineffective and futile for the
purpose Of which Il Is really designed,
while II exposes reputable newspapers
10 the constant and unavoidable dan
ger Of costly, vexatIous and blackmail-
ing suits It must fail OF its plain in
tent while II is Infinitely mischeyious in
other directions
ESSENCE OF LIBEL.
1.-THE very essence Of libel is that the
publication shall be Of defamatory or
injurious character. The law now right
ly holds the newspaper responsible for