BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-09-20
CRITICISMS

Wilcox, the Supervisor of Elections.
relative to the measures taken and
the precautions adopted to enforce
the election law so that the citizens
shall be amply guaranteed in the
tight Of exercising suffrage, is truly
notable.
Were it not for the fact that at the
and of the aforesaid information we
seem to divise something like amplify-
ing the libel law; were it not that we
cannot pass without making clear the
lightest shadow that may darken the
rights of free press, the sovereignty
of public opinion, we would say that
the interview of Mr.. Wilcox is truly
an irreproachable document and wor-
thy of applause in every way; but
that finale, frankly, does not convince
us. The press might judge of an
election Or any other manifestation of
public activity, or any act of a govern
ment, or of a public corporation, from
mere details, from an isolated :case,
because the responsibility of officers
and other representatives of the peo-
pie should be SO ample SO extensive,
and public opinion should be SO exact
ing with those charged with public
Office as to completely reject energet-
ically and totally the work done in a
general way, whenever there are
important defects and details that
would give it bad appearance.
The press might say what it has
said about past elections. should the
same scenes be enacted again this
year as took place in the last election,
aud were the subject of censure by
the press, then the press would not
fulfil its duty if it did not criticise
them. The voice of public opinion
should never be stifed when it cen
Sures any offense or advises as to
possible danger. In order that the
Offices of a government may not be-
come the prey of despOtism and the
most complete autocracy, they need
constant advise o. constant warnings
from that opinion and from its organs;
in word, from the press. No one has
right to demand responsibility, to
exact proofs from him who fills his
mission, by publishing rumorS how
ever strange they may be; or demand
such proofs when it erves as a We
hicle of public opinion, and in the
fortherance of justice. when it repeats
and carries on by mororl1us multip-
lication either censure or applause
phrases condemnatory of the wrongful
act of public officer, or praises the
virtues and talents of any man in the
public service. 1t is the duty of the press
to accept such rumor. however grave it
may appear, before it weakens in s1-
lence and mystery. Should it resolve
incorrectly, SO much the better. The
Intention is the gist of the matter, and
it sanctions the utility of the means
employed.
We cannot admit the slightest indica'
ton which might be interpreted as 4
threa. against the liberty Of The press.
That the people may have complete
guarantees from the goverum ent. it is
indispensable lhat thrre shall De no
limit to the freedom Of the press. end
that it shall not be gagged.
Recommendations to the police are
not sufficient; the certainty that the
court will punish the offenders against
{he election law is not enough. And
it is no, enough, either, that the Ex-
ecutive Council shall act as a court of
appeals before which charges will be
brought by the Supervisor, M. Wilcox.
All Of those are convenient measures.
judicious precautions, proper means
to protect the exercise of high and
supreme right If man and preve ut it
becoming a ridiculous and bloody
farce; but it is not sufficient.
Mr.. Wilcox has shown great ability
in the gathering OF DATA and proofs lOt
inspire confidence among the electors.
In this regard, which should certainly
be the most important in the work Of
the Supervisor OF Elections, We find
nothing deserving Of censure.
Our patrons should read the docu
ment in question. We publish it in
part on the first page They should
pay attention to that which is supposed !
to have been gained from the stand
point of a democratic government; |
that officers as important as is the |
Supervisor should offer to the public
such fill and complete report of hi
work in the Department of Elections.
That action, under the regime which
xxe now have iS an advanced Ste0 tO-