The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1909-12-31
EDITORS DESIRE
new LIBEL LAWS.
Pencil Pushers Discuss
Things Of Importance.
"Molders Of Public Opinion"
Hold Annual Love Feast
at Lexington.

Lexington, KY, Dec. 2S.-MembeB
OF the kentucky Press Association
gathered here today for their annual
meeting. During the convention men
prominent in the newspaper business
from all parts of the Commonwealth
will discuss problems of interest to
those who edit the daily and weekly
papers.
The address of welcome to the press
association by President James Ken
needy Patterson, of the State Univer-
sity was a model of thought and elo-
quence. He spoke earnestly of the in
fluence of the press and the support it
should receive by the people. He was
eagerly listened to, and was inter-
rupted several times by applause.
President T. c. Underwood respond
ed briefly to the address of welcome.
T. C. Underwood, of Hopkinsville.
President of the association, presided
at the afternoon meeting.
An amendment TO the libel law,
which at present allows case
against any newspaper in the State
to be brought before the courts in
any county in the State in which one
copy of the newspaper goes, was
strongly urged by every speaker in
the discussion.
Some Of the editors who have been
sued for libel under The present law
told of their experiences in q. humpr-
Gus vein. which, however. showed
plainly that an amendment to the
State law will be vigorously sought.
c. L. Adler, President of the Ken
lucky Association for the Study and
Prevention of tuberculosis, told of
the tuberculosis conditions in this
State and appealed to the editors 10
do all In their power In their coun-
ties to influence the people of the
Commonwealth to remedy conditions.
The round table on THE Press
and the Legislature" was led by
Harry McCarty, Of the Jessamine
Journal of Nicholasville.
Mr.. McCarty mentioned a few of
the bills that the newspapers of the
State had tried to have passed by the
Legislature, all of which failed.
r. r. Perry, of the Winchester Sun
Sentinel, suggested that the ass1cia-
ton avoid everything which appeared
to be begging or asking The Legisla-
ture for something which 10 for the
benefit of the newspapers of the
State. and 10 show that what they
are asking for is for the good OF the
people of the Staet.
He declared that the one important
legislation which the newspapers are
entitled TO have is a revision Of the
libel law.
He told of five personal experiences
where suits were brought against him
for libel In counties where he did not
live, and where he had as few as
three subscribers, and in one county
where he had not subscriber.
He declared that no law is just shat
requires a man to be tried in a county
where he has no subscriber; that
even a horse thief is entitled to
fair trial where the crime was COM
mltted-
A. E. Gullion, editor Of the Henry
County Local said that country papers
were little troubled with libel suits
because they were not rushed TO the
press, but that city papers did not
have time 10 thoroughly investigate
every bit of news matter and were
more likely 10 print something which
would bring on suit. He spoke OF
political controversities causing libel
suits. and advocated a provision for
Ieniency In case prompt retraetion
Of equal prominence to the matter
causing the libel suit. He declared
that II sfouId be mandatory TO bring |
the jury TO consider such retractions.
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