The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-17
Stands by Pulitzer in His
Fight Against Roosevelt
In COmmOner.
POLICY Is DANGEROUS.
NEBRASkAN CLAIMS PANAMA
CANAL MATTER SHOULD SE IN
vEsTIGATED AND THE PRESS
NOT ANTAGoNIZED.

Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 17.-Commenting
on the trouble between President
Roosevelt aud Joseph Pulitzer of the
New York World, William J. Bryan
comes out strongly on the side of the
latter and warns the president that he
cannot muzzle the press. Under the
heading, "President Oversteps the Linn
it," Bryan will say in his Commoner:
President Roosevelt has sent to con-
gress a message which announces a
rev and dangerous doctrine. 1t is the
duty of every publisher and every be-
lever in free speech and free press
20 resent the presidents attempt to
use the government to terrorize those
who would criticise the action of pub
lie officials. No official can claim
exemption from criticism merely be-
cause he lis an official, and no act of
government is so sacred that the hum
blest citizen may not express an ad-
verse opinion upon it.
'It Is a matter of little consequence
whether the charges made by the New
York World are true or false-that can
be determined by suit at law in the
ordinary way-but it Is a matter of
great importance that every editor and
every other individual shall be free to
express his opinion on any subject con-
nected with public affairs.
Thinks Inquiry Best Course.
The World demands an investiga-
ton of the Panama purchase, and 1t is
for congress to determine whether the
investigation shall be made. The fact
that the president thinks no investiga-
ton Is necessary is immaterial.
But his proposition that the govern
ment can institute libel proceedings
against an individual or paper for crit.
icism of the governments action Is not
only a new doctrine but an extremely
Objectionable one. If any individual
has been libeled he has action at law.
If the individual concerned does not
see fit to prosecute his remedy the gov
eminent cannot become his champion
THE Panama purchase was made by
the administration in pursuance of an
act of congress. If any improper in
fluence was brought to bear upon the
senators or members to secure the pas
sage of the purchase act, the public
has the right to know 1t, and any SEN
ator or congressman wrongfully charg-
ed with being improperly influenced
can resort to the court to enforce his
legal remedies.
Whatever offense the World has
committed-if it has committed an of.
fense-is not against the government
but against the individuals who have
temporarily acted for the government
or against the individuals who are ac-
cused of bringing improper influence
| to bear upon any officials.
"Mr. Puliazer is on solid ground
when he resists the presidents attempt
to convert newspaper criticism Of Off
Gals into criticism against the gov
eminent itself. The presidents mes
sage is indefensible in SO far as 1t as
serts the right of the government to
prosecute the World or Mr.. Pulitzer
and he will find he has oversteppeC
the limits of his authority if he at.
| tempts to use the attorney generals
office in the way that he has proposed
i The president is not the government
criticism Ct him is not a criticism o,
| the government"