Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-06-25

ber shall not be aSSailed by another
unless he Is prepared to submit proof
to a board representing the association
that II the allegation be not sustained
the accuser shall make conspicuous
public retraction, or failing, suffer ex-
pulsion; II 1t Is sustained, official an
nouncement shall be made. That In
the case of q non-memDer be request
ed to submit proof to the arbitration
board; II his charge Is not sustained
he be requested to publish the findings
with a retraction. If he fails to do so.
all members requested to disseminate
the information and the non member
be debarred from membership while
that paper remains under the offend
ing management.
These results may be expected from
such stand by the Press association:
First, some Of those writer's without
self-discipline and without sense OF
moral responsibility would become
more careful; second, 1t would obvi-
ate much of that so-called controversy
that Is merely "mud-slinging' and
subversive of the dignity Of journal
ism; third, there would be moral pun
ishment for the transgressor and NOR
al vindication for him in the right.
But Of far greater moment, the people
who read and the people who get their
information by word Of mouth would
come in time to q clearer. truer un-
derstanding of the characters and
purposes of the elements constituting
the press Of the state.
I have not attempted to formulate q
detailed plan; one would not be diff
cult to prepare. The most important
feature would be selecting the person
mel Of the board Of reference or arbi-
tration-men capable, high in charac-
ter and of impartial judgment. They
need not be residents Of this state.
There is something more the Press
association, heartily supported by the
worthy newspapers Of South Carolina,
might do for the honor and dignity of
the profession, and therefore for the
betterment of the commonwealth. It
Is a custom with those papers acting
In the capacity Of organs for candi-
dates, and the habit Of officials whose
excellencies are observed chiefly by
those organs, to refer In and to "the
lying, slandering newspapers" 1t Is
to knock down, but in doing so a libel
Is pcrpetrated against the press In
general, and, to the extent of their in
fuence, undermines public confidence
in newspapers. Now, since the con-
stitution plainly encourages the press
to speak out on public questions, and
since discussion Of the principles and
the qualifications for public services
Of candidates for office Is regarded by
enlightened thought in every country
where the people participate in gov
|ernment as essential to popular con-
troll, II Is logical to suppose our law
making bodies would protect from IL
bel the press serving the people as
readily as they protect the seeker OF
personal benefits. The newspapers OF
the state may with propriety and rea-
son demand that where any one public
ly names a newspaper and alleges 1t
has slandered him, that such charge be
deemed libelous; however, that proof
Of the charge against the newspaper
shall be full justification. And II the
law can not reach those guilty Of q
general libel, those referring to
lying newspapers" without mentioning
names, the press can make that poll
cy unpopular. II a newspaper publishes
an erroneous statement injuriously af-
fecting the business Of Jim Jones. deal
er in junk, the paper Is liable for
damages; why should not the press
demand that the character and integ-
rity of it's members, in many cases
their capital and stock in trade, be
Some years ago certain United
States senator, in stumping South
Carolina in protest against the aboli-
ton Of the state dispensary, attempt
ed to weaken the influence Of an OPP
posing newspaper, by declaring his be-
lief that the editor Of that paper own
ed stock in the Richland Distillery and
the Carolina Glass company Venality
and moral dishonesty was the sum of
his charge against an editor whose
moral standing is not questioned by
the press in the eastern half Of the
United States. The editor did not
deem the occasion one for the retort
courteous, and named the senator as
several varieties Of liar.
The only comment ] recall In the
South Carolina press was panied re-
gret that one>in so high an office as
senator should have been the target
for such language. I am not defend
ing the retort, but refer to the incl
dent to illustrate the mental attitude
of some editors toward the press. 1t
did not appear to occur to the COM
mentators that the office Of editor.
however humble the paper, is as de-
serving of defense from calumny as
that of senator or president or judge;
or that an editor may place far great
er valuation upon his integrity than
holder of high public office gives to
his. They failed, too-and 1t is COM
mon form of distorted mental vision
to observe the difference in the posi-
tion of the newspaper opposing the
policies of a candidate, and that can
didate's attack on the newspaper. II
the paper is not the organ Of an op-
posing candidate or interest 1t repre-
sents and is speaking for the people,
or a body Of the people, and Is exer-
cising a right that the enlightened OF
the world wishes exercised; until es-
tablished otherwise the press Is as
sumed to be unselfish, and working In
the public interest, not for personal
advantage. On the other hand, the
office seeker, in all but exceptional
cases, Is self-seeking; he appeals to
the people for honors and emoluments
for himself.
The press will not come into Its
own, it will not be close to the hearts
Of the people or impress them with
it's high mission, until the press sets
high value upon itself, and self re-
spect Is dominant In the profession.
The official recognition and mainten-
ance of an ethical standard would
help to fortify the press for the full
performance Of the great part assign
ed 1t in human life. and for which It's
liberty is guaranteed. The South Car
olina Press association can make
membership a hall mark.