The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-01-01

ttScHsrsff's special fnsekaxs 20 Con-
gresx. decIsrsng that The proprietor
Of THE New York World should be
prosecuted for libel by the gos sYp-
nens for the Worlds criticisms or
charges Of graft In the governments
Panama canal purchase, Mr.. Bryan
says:
l President Roosevelt has sent 70
Congress a message which am
inounces Nv and dangerous doe
trins. It IL the duty Of every pub
Usher and Of every believer in free
speech and a free press 10 resent the
Presidents attemp, 10 use the gov
eminent TO terrorize those who
would criticise the action Of public
officials. No Official can claim ex-
eEnption from criticism merely be-
cause he In an Official, and no act Of
the government 10 80 sacred that
the bnmblest citizen may not express
an adverse opinion upon IL. II 10 n
matter Of little consequence whether
the charges made by the World are
true or false--tbat can be determin-
ed by suit at Law In the ordinary
way--but 1t is q matter Of great Inn
portance that every editor and every
other Individual shall be free 10 ex-
press his opinion on any subject
connected with public affairs. The
World demands al investigation of
the Panama purchase, and II IL for
congress TO Determine whether the
investigation shall be made. The
fact that the President thinks no In
yestigatioD H. necessary f. imms-
terial. II law "a passed which re-
quires the Presidents Concurrence,
he can sign or veto it-tbat ~ bis
constitutional right. II upon re-
ceiying his veto the house and sen
ate approve Of the measure by a
two-tkiTa vote, the measure-accord-
ing 70 the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES o
law In spite Of the President. Inso-
far as the senate and house can con-
stitutiopally act without the Presi-
dents concurrence, they are at
liberty 10 do so without consulting
him or In spite of anything he says.
Insofar a. either house has right
to investigate, II can do so whether
he approves or not. An lnyestlga-
ton IL the best method Of bringing
out the facts and II there has been
Misrepresentation the President
ought TO urge investigation rather
than oppose IL.
But his proposition that the gov
eminent can institute libel proceed
ings against an individual or q paper
for criticism Of the governments
action IL not only a new doctrine
but an extremely Objectionable one.
II any individual has been libeled,
he has his action at Law. II the In
dividual concerned does not see fit
10 prosecute his remedy the govern.
meni can not become fIis champion.
The Panama purchase was made
by the administration in pursuance
Of an act OF Congress. II any I'M
proper influence was brought to bear
upon senators or members TO secure
the passage OF the purchase act, the
public has a right 10 know II and
any senator or congressman wrong
fully charged with being improperly
Influenced can resort 10 the court to
enforce his legal remedies. II any
Individual IL wrongfully charged
with bringing improper influence to
bear upon a senator or congressman
he ear bring an action to protect his
name and his honor. The President
says that the execution Of the pur-
chase act was In the hands of At
tDrney General Knox and that he
the Presiden.) approved of every
> thing that Mr.. Knox did. II either
the President or Mr.. Knox IL cbnrg-
ed with improper conduct, the courts
are open to them, but the President
! can not use the attorney general to
punish those who critIcise him, SEN
ator Knox or any other Official.
Whatever offense the World has
, cOmmlited--if II has committed an
offense-is not against the govern
meni but against individuals who
have temporarily acted for the gov
ernmcnt or against individuals who
are accused Of bringing improper in
fuence TO bear upon officials.
Mr. Pulitzer Is on solid ground
when be resists the Presidents at
tempt 10 convert newspaper criticism
of 0fficialg into q criticism against
the government itself. The PreSi-
dents message Is indefensible inso-
far as 1t asserts the right Of the
government to prosecute the World
or Mr.. Pulitzer, and be will find
that he has overstepped the limits
Of his authority II be attempts %
use the attorney generals Office In
the way that he has proposed. The
Draasdatsf Ia nnf thu y4w4rnFuaut "A