Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-16
PARAGRAPHS OF THE MESSAGE

Governor cutler makes % NUMBER w
excellent recommendations in ms mes
sage. Among these IL ono that the III"
10 so amended as 10 make II possible
for cities to collect money for puDhc
,inproysment only when the contracts
are made and the actual cost KNOWN
AS the law now is, when public I'M
movement is decided upon, the city can
apportion the tax between the taSpay-
ers OH an estimated basis of cost ana
exact interest on that basis. ana theh
make a contract much lower than the
estimate. perhaps. thus virtually op-
tanning from the taxpayers, sums OF
money not needed for the Work pro
posed II the recommendation OF the
Governor Is acted upon this anomaly
viii be removed. as it ought to nave
been long ago.
Another recommendation IL lhat
measure be passed prohibiting sunday
amusements. We rather incline TO the
opinion that the existing laws give me
.liv authorities All the power necessary
ia stop offensive sunday theatricais
n they are Inclined 10 do so. But II
this Is not the case the amendheH0
necessary to confer this. power upon
The uroper authorities should be passed
without delay. and made suthcientiy
strong and clear to admit of no eva
sion. III the opinion of the respec'apIe
class Of citizens IN the state be consult
ed OH this question. we believe u VIII
be found to be strongly in favor OK a
Quiet Sunday devoted to worship ana
moi 10 play. II the wishes OF actors
and actresses arc taken into cohsidera-
zion. there will he no more sunday
theatricais FOR those who have chps-
On to perform their life's work
upon the stage. need a rest on sun
DAYS lust as much as any other toilcr.
yybv should they be deprived of the
privilege of attending houses OF wor-
ship ON sundays II is Il good recon-
mendation.
Another paragraph in the Message Is
devoted to the law OF libel. The Gov
einor calls attention TO the fact that
newspapers, as well as public speakers,
in times of political excitement, make
1t a custom of misauoting the remarks
of opponents, attaching the character
of honorable people, giving misleading
reports OF public meetings. and 50 on
II VIII" the Governor continues Hiso
include the custom of certain disreput-
able Journals Of causing to be publisheu
spurious letters or utterances atriuut-
ed 20 individuals, and using these as d
basis OF attack and misrepresentation
intended especially for foreign con-
sumption" The Message recommends
that the law of criminal libel be given
broader scope and made capable OF
frecr Interpretation. in order to reach
cases worthy of punishment, but out
of reach Of the civil act on account of
the impeeunlosity of the people In
VOWED.
This, we believe, is a measure neees-
sary for the protection of the material
Interests OF the state. especially against
certain class of journalism. With all
the care exercised by reputable jour-
nails In order 10 give only correct in
formation. 1t is sometimes Impossible
IN the few hours allotted TO the pro-
duction of each issue of daily paper
10 do perfect justice to every Item OF
10 verify every report that reaches th'
desks of the editors. The Law shoule
take cognizance OF this fact. When
however, 1t Is apparent that reports are
falslhed. exaggerations resorted to- rid
icule, vilncation and backguardlsn
systematically employed TO gain sellisi
ends, the law should step In and protee
the victims by Furnishing the assailants
No good cause can ever be served b!
euch means. The law recognizes as
crime the adulteration of food and tn
obtaining of money under false pre-
scnses. But the distribution OF false
hood as news" Is worse than mos
cases of food adulteratlou. 1t certainl!
IS obtaining money under false pre-
lenses. since very few persons woul'
pay for misrepresentation Of facts eN
cept when they are offered under tn
label Of news"