Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-06-17

be handled without gloves IS heretofore.
We stand for q square deal, in doing to
others as we would be done by, and will
not resort to deceptive speech, the white
washing OF faults or false fiattery to stand
pat with any ring or to win public es-
TEEN. It is a newspapers place to point
out faults, as well rs to deal out praise; to
tear down false idols as we'll as to build
up real gods; to be frank and honest in
speech, and when referring to the notes
in the public eye to not forget the mote
in its own. Too many steer their boat
through false waters in order to reach the
flagship and dole out veneefed hattery to
the admiral on board. We are not in
that class. 1t might be policy to do this,
but policy is one of the elements we lack
It was lack of caution, first, in not read
ing our article, "The n. z. Telephone
Company Wins" after il was written,
and second, in net having proof OF the
article submitted to Us, even though in
Florida, that we run our bead into the
moose. The supreme court was a second
airy element to the subject, the text of
which was "Another Victory for the New
England Telephone Company" No one
had to point out the mistake when our
editorial first appeared in print. We saw
il at first glance. The kind friend who
reported the fault to the sttoruey-generaI
did not consult our feelings in the mat
ter, or ask whether our act was inten-
tional or not his great heart-iove for the
honor OF the court and state were too
overpowering to admit of any explana-
tions or delay. We have faced the music,
and IL there is any kicking to be done,
others can do 1t. The state of Vermont
is good enough for Us for a 5000 invest
ment, with returns equally as good as
half of the stock investments, or invest
ment out West. Then again, IL the sala-
ries of officials are to be raised with each
legislature, the state will need the money,
goodness knows. We chose the same SUI
preme court judges we accidentally
libelled to be our judges, in preference TO
trial by jury, and did so OF our own
will and accord. This is our story in
nutshell, aud as far IS we are concerned
that incident is closed.
But the incident is not closed when all
we have written or said is classed in the
same order as that one step. We stand
pat to all we have said upon any other
subject or them regardless of fear or
favor. Neither have any OF our state
ments been reckless or favored with
abuse. just criticism is not abuse, neith-
er can II be classed under that head.
Neither have we criticised in any way,
extent or manner referred to by the Ban
er ard Reformer. Its statements are wild
eKaggerntion and the editor knows it.
We believe in criticism where 1; is de-
served, even as we'believe i'm being criti-
cised. A muzzled press is a bad one
even worse than an unbridled one. The
press should not be muzzled. II is the
best cleanser of public morals and OF wip-
ing corruption out OF high places OF any
thing yet invented Muzzle the press
and the door il open for graft and all
kindred ills. Our courts should be held
in high esteem no question about that.
Still, regardless Of the high perfection
court may attain, ii cannot be infallible
to faults, or wholly unprejudiced, for
such God-like state is impossible with
man. Even angels have erred. But a
court can stand high in public esteem,
and should stand free Of criticism unless
gross faults do exist. II such faults
exist they should be criticised: and
and the press should do it; and the press
should be protected in the doing OF il I;
and II the press disseminates gross faults
OF courts that do not exist, il should be
punished as deserved. We dislike the
law that protects the faults of courts and
faults of those in high places against
newspaper criticism, and only hope that
such law will never gain a footing in
acknowledgement Express and Stand
ard.