The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1905-06-02
TIE Law.

VI course ~ n now TOO ATE 70 hOp'
for relief In the matter Of 4 EatiOna
libel law from this Legislature--a fac
TO be sincerely regretted by every love-
Of fair play.
The newspapers of Florida have never
faltered in their loyalty TO the interests
OF the State; or hesitated 10 contribute
to the full extent Of their powers to the
general welfare, progress and prosper.
ity Of the people. Their request, there
fore, for a more reasonable and just
condition Of the law Of libel than now
exists should have had respectful con-
SideratiOn at the hands Of the Legisla.
ture. Their State organization, the
Press Association, having appointed q
special committee on the subject, which
committee presented a bill modifying
the rigors Of the existing law, that bill,
or some bill competent to command the
approval Of the legislators, should have
been adopted and enacted into law.
All honor Is due to Hon. j. Campbell
Avery, member Of the House for Els.
Gambia, for his earnest efforts in be-
half Of this just measure; and to those
who with voice and vote aided him in
supporting it.
To Representative Julian of Columbia
belongs the honor If such it be--of de-
feating the bill in the House, by NOV
ing it's indefinite postponment; and
those who blindly followed his lead will
live to regret their hasty injustice TO
the Florida Press
Among the numerous expressions of
the State papers on the subject we find
the following:
The newspaper libel law bill which the
State Press Association prepared to pass
through the present Legislature has
apparently been killed, having been in
definitely postponed on motion of DIR.
Julian, Of Columbia county, Just what
Of public duty or legal
equity prompted the Columbia county
representative In this action are not
known, but one thing certain, the men,
DerB OF the State press will always feel
yrfteful to Hon j. Campbell Avery for
his efforts In support OK the bill. Mr.. .
Avery introduced II, got a favorable
report upon il from the committee, and
ably defended II on the floor of the
House. 49, Pensacola Journal
The Metropolis has often said and
,ays again that newspapers have few ,
friends in the Florida Legislature. |
What friendship existed was while the .
members were candidates and before .
elected. The ungratefulness OF some
Of the Legislature should be .
remembered by every editor and pub .
Usher In the State. That the proposed !
amendment should be killed by a mem
Der from the home Of the secretary Of .
The Senate and from the place where
he last session Of the State Press AS
assembled was about the un-
tindest cut Of all. Session after SEES
zion the newspaper men of Florida have
sought TO have this unjust and partial
ibel law amended 80 as to give all
parties an equal show before the courts
lut invariably IL has failed All honor
q Mr. Avery and the other members
Who supported the bill. They are
friends Of the newspapers, and where
has one Of those opponents to newspa-
lers distinguished himself as a develop
n of his section equal to a newspaper
Jacksonville Metropolis.
The Tribune is heartily Disguised with
he average politician. the newspa-
lers make them and as a general thing
hey are the most ungrateful set OF
on the horizon. The pa
)ers of this State should spot every
son Of them who opposed this
Dill and the minute their heads bob up
again for political preferment and emOl-
lments a crack should be taken at them
hat will forever sever their political
aspirations from their putrid anatomy.
They are diminutive set at the best.
- Tampa Tribune.