Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-09-28
THE LIBEL SUIT.

The only purpose for which libel suit was instituted
against the Capital News to intimidate the health
officers of the state from enforcing the pure food laws and
to ntmdate the press of the state to prevent publication
of foul conditions surrounding the manufacture OF food
products This purpose evident after the evidence
upon which the article complained about founded be-
came known
Had this suit gone against the Capital News the object
would not have been attained for had the occasion
arisen it undoubtedly would have arisen had the
case gone against the paper we would have given the
public the facts just fearessly and just fairly we
did in this instance and we would have done it because it
is matter the public has right to know.
During the trial of this it developed part of
the evidence that there is organization formed in this
city for the purpose OF opposing the enforcement OF the
admit this purpose but declare that the organization is
merely for the purpose of securing modification of the
laws as they exist to make them less rigorous -.
The Capital News wishes right now to say that it will
oppose with all the influence it possesses the weakening
of single pure food law upon the statute books but
the contrary will support and advocate their strength
ening
in this particular case the facts believe justify the
contention that the managers of this plaintiff company
unfit to conduct Strengthening business Our
for believing is that instead OF submitting to the orders
of the health officers to clean up the rghtfu conditions
found at their slaughter house and instead of showing
willingness to comply, not alone with the laws OF the
state but with little decency, they at instituted
suit the only effect of which would be to tend to ntmidate
and rghten the states officers and the press of the city
that in the future they might continue to kill meat and
manufacture meat products for consumption by the peO
pie under conditions revolving in the extreme
Instead of the violations Of the law clearly proven
against this company and its responsible officers and
agents being cassed by the law msdemeanors and sub
ject merely to petty punishment they should be made
felonies subject to Imprisonment in the state prison
The people perfectly helpless in such instances.
They have possible means of knowing how the meats
they buy prepared but must place themselves at the
mercy Of those who prepare them It should be great
oense to prepare food products particularly meats
under conditions which breed disease and poisonous
dons as it would be for druggist for instance to
essy mix poisonous drugs with other medicines and then
serve them out in prescriptions.
We do not regard the present case nearly much
victory for the Capital News do victory for the
health officers Of the state and not so much victory for
either Of it is victory for the people Of tho state
further and greater guaranty to them that their lives
will not be endangered when they buy food products and
guaranty to them that not fitted by nature and
disposition to conduct clean and sanitary slaughter
business will not be permitted to continue in the business
except they pay some small regard to decency in their
work