Arizona republican., 1908-04-09
PHoENIX. ARIz.. APRIL 9. 1908.
THE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH

communication
 scribers. James P. Bates, in which Inc
 discontinues his friendly relations witt
 this paper on account of its publica-
 ton of arguments by eminent divines
 statesmen and newspapers against
 prohibition. NIT. Bates believes that
 he can not continue to receive into the
 bosom of his family reproductions of
 the views of such men as Rev. Dr.
 Howard Crosby, Bishop Spaulding, Archbishop Ryan, Francis Murphy and
 Father Conaty, to say nothing of the utterances of such church journals as the Christian Union. Mir. Bates is en- tireIy within his rights.
 But Bert Calkins. a Phoenix pOstof- flee letter carrier. is not quite. He stated to a representative of this pa per few days ago, that he was a member of church society which at late meeting resolved to begin ssytematic campaign against The Re publican's subscription list; to urge it's subscribers to discontinue it: That is. the society, as We understand from Mir. Calkins, resolved to institute a proceeding known as the boycott. which has been recognized by the courts as lawless, and by society in general as morally wrong and utterly inconsistent with Christian principles and practice.
 It is not apprehended that this boy colt will be successful. Boycotts never are. But if there were a likeli- hood that it might be, that would not alter the course of The Republican among whose aims afe. to serve the best interests of the community, to print the news and to reflect the va rious and varying shades of local opin- ion regarding local affairs.
 As to the morality of the liquor traf- fife. there is only one opinion, and that is bad. As to the honest and good in- tent of the prohibitionists there is no doubt, but as to the eXpediency of their efforts and the probable result of them, there are two beliefs.
 The business men of Phoenix are generally of the opinion that prohibi- ton would deprive this city of rev. enue which it can not afford to spare at this time. The city of course would suffer the heaviest loss and in q less CT degree the farming community would suffer the deprivation Of large part of the school fund.
 The objectionable publications, to which Mr Bates and Mir. Calkins refer, i represent the views of those merchants ! and business men and are made at l their request.
 The Republican as a newspaper, has | extended the use of its columns to | these who hold different views. and it | would be pleased to be the medium of | q thorough discussion of this subject. | We may here add for the benefit of {. those who may avail themselves of the I use Of The Republicans columns, that | the discussion may profitably be mar rOwed down to two material phases of II the subject-the financial and the question: Will prohibition prohibit? Upon all other phases we believe the II community is in accord.
 The Republicans course in all other reform movements in this city and territory is a sufficient guaranty of it's honest purpose in this controversy Its readers of years will hardly be misled by the boycotters. But in any event. II its course in this or any other public matter will not be altered by the pros pect of losing or gaining subscribers. We think cur subscribers would have poor. but just opinion Of it if they believed it would be so influenced. The other newspapers of Phoenix have taken the same stand on the pres ent controversy that The Re publican has taken. and we presume that they too. have been threatened by the boycott CTS. It will be seen whether they will yield what may be considered to be their honest views of the needs of the community. to this improper and un- American influence, the instrument all ways of tyranny and cowardice As We have stated. MT. Bates has a right to stop his paper. because he does not approve of The Republicans E course in this or any other matter. He has right to stop it without cause. But any attempt to influence this pa per hy threats of organized effort or conspiracy against it is unrigh.eous i and will be as ineffcctual as it is law less and foolish. VI