The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-07-18
WOULD AMEND
PRIMARY LAW
Stale Editors Object to Prov.
visions Of Measure
REIiTINc Tn AnveRTlcIuc
RELATING TO ADVERTISING
PRESIDENT BEST SAYS NO MAN
CAN STAND AGAINST OPPO-
SlTlON OF NEWS
PAPERS.

VANCOUVER, Wash, July 1S.-At
| the opening session of the state press
| association, A. A. Smith, of the Port
! Angeles Tribune Times, introduced
resolution to change those sections Of
| the direct primary law which prohibit
| newspapers from accepting political
| advertising. The resolution character
ICES this part of the law as literary
and legal abortion, which reflects
upon the intelligence of and is an in
suit to the press of the state"
hundred or more delegates are
in attendance and many men promi-
nent in Washington politics are visit
ing in Vacouver during the meeting.
Among the number is Governor Mead.
The opening address was made by
President j. B. Best, manager of the
Everett Herald and was devoted to a
general resume of the work of the as
sociation and suggestions as to the
future. President Best said in part:
I'm the use of the extended power
which the direct primary law gives us
it should not be forgotten that there is
danger of doing irreparable injustice
to public men. Under the new condi-
tions there is less reason than former
ly for blind partisanship on the part Of
the press. The newspaper can ruin a
mans reputation quicker than it
can make him one. Under the exist
ing law it will be next to impossible
for any man to reach an elective office
of the state or to continue long to hold
one against united newspaper opposi-
tion. The newspapers that want to
be fair in politics are shifted some
what from the position Of advocates
to that of judge and jury Candidates
should sometimes at least be given the
benefit of an honest doubt. But when
no doubt exists that candidate or
official is unworthy 1 consider it now
more than ever the duty Of the live
newspaper to warn the people. That
part of the new direct primary law
which relates to political ADVERTISING
In newspapers is satisfactory neither
to newspapers, candidates no, the
public, and is framed in such perpIex-
ing terms that few persons have the
temerity to claim an understanding of
what the law means.
"At the next legislature, however.
the law most certainly should be al
tered. Every right-minded editor will
subscribe to the proposition that the
bargain and sale Of editorial support
for politicians should be discouraged.
but it is difficult to conceive of any
reasonable objection on the ground of
public policy to a newspaper publish
ing all the advertising it can get from
political candidates Such advertising
would seem as legitimate and as much
personal constitutional right as the
advertising Of dry goods houses or
manufacturers of proprietary articles.
provided, Of )urse, it be made plain
that it is advertising matter. / recon-
mend that this association take action
condemning this feature of the direct
promary law aid that substitute law
be drafted which meets the apprc val
of this body and enbodies the proper
protection of the ordinary rights Of the
press and the people under the spirit
of the constitution and of common
sense, and that the press be urged to
stand together in a vigorous campaign
for the amendment of the statute so
that it will accord with the principles
just suggested"