New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-25
HECKLING.

The young woman who sought TO
draw out Governor Wilson's views on
the woman suffrage question at the
Brooklyn Academy of Music the other
night has been held for the Court OF
Snecial Sessions and has received Sc
we're wigging from a magistrate, VINO
SAWS that her conduct 'was not only
unlawful, but, in my Judgment IN
Every bad taste" If he had said that
her conduct was not only in very bad
taste, but, in his Judgment, unlawful,
probably there would be more uniyer-
sal agreement with his statement.
Conduct which is not customary and
sanctioned by public opinion is gener-
ally in bad taste. And there can be no
doubt that persistent interruption or
political speakers here, not being sane
toned by usage, is in bad taste. But
is the putting Of a question to a candi-
date at a public meeting and insisting
on an answer unlawful? 1t would
hardly be called so If the candidate
had invited questions. Would 1t be so
where the candidate, who was the per-
son interrupted, stated that he recog-
nized the propriety Of questions, though
he did not regard a particular question
as pertinent, and urged that nobody
should interfere with the interlocutor?
If he was not offended who was? Does
a crowds impatience with dialogue
make criminal one Of the parties
therefor
OF course, a distinction IS to be
drawn between reasonable questioning
designed to develop an answer Of po-
litical significance and mere disorderly
conduct directed to breaking up a
meeting or depriving a speaker Of a
fair chance TO present his views. 1t
is hard TO see how that very elastic
charge "disorderly conduct''-which, If
we remember right, Mayor Gaynor
when on rhe bench used to characterize
as no offence at all, but cover for
police tyranny-can be made to ut the
mere asking politely Of a question, to
be answered by yes or no, Of a candi-
date who comes before the people seek
ing votes and protesting 70 give them
that light on his opinions by which
they may judge him. 1t certainly
would not be thought disorderly in
England, where the right to ask ques-
lions at a political meeting and have
them answered Is amply recognized.
Here It is recognized so far that there
is never any trouble about a question
that the candidate wants TO answer.
1t becomes disorderly only when his
sympathizers think it desirable to save
him from an embarrassing inquiry.
Perhaps If the English system OF
heckling were established here our poll
ticians would get down to vital issues
and do less trimming. Political meet
ings might come TO be OF greater use
for convincing voters. The odtime
debate like that Of Lincoln and Doug
las gave a chance for both sides 10
appeal to their opponents. The politi-
cal meeting now IS largely nothing but
n stimuant 10 the enthusiasm Of con-
firmed supporters. Few others attend,
because there Is no issue joined on
which they can form a judgment. a
few searching questions from persons
whose right to ask them and receive
fair answers was recognized would be
a helpful feature Of American political
meetings. If such questioning should
come to be considered good form and
not an exhibition Of bad manners it
would probably cease to be unlawful In
fact or In the judgment Of magistrates.