The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-15
VOTE 55 TO So AGAINST MIR.
REMBERT'S MEASURE
FINAL Cnfayorable Action Comes AZ
ter Bitter Ffght-Measure Would
Have Regulated Publication of
Certain Articles in Newspapers of
State-BOth Sides of Argument
vigorously Presented-How the
Members Voted.

stricting newspapers in the publica-
ton of certain articles. The fight
was to a large extent factional and
bitter.
Mr.. Stevenson led the opposition in
vigorous assault on the bill. The
motion to strike out the enacting
words prevailed by a vote of 55 to
SO.
This bill was passed over previous
ly in the evening during Mr.. Rem
bert's absence, but on his appearance,
by unanimous consent, it was taken
up.
Mr.. Rembert, the author of the bill.
took the floor in it's defence. Mr..
Rembert claimed many malicious
newspapers attacks, and he said it is
impossible to fight the reports which
the press circulates. Mr.. Remberts
bill does not restrict publication, re-
quires that the person offended shall
have the right to prepare a reply
which the paper must publish. Mr.
Rembert attacked an editorial recent
ly appearing in a daily which criticised
his bill
The principal duty of the press to-
day is to keep the people informed
on their public affairs and officials.
said Mr.. Mcmillan, of Marion, who
| spoke against the bill. He said that
the Courts offer recourse to anyone
whom the papers have lied upon.
If an editor publishes a lie upon any
person he may be prosecuted both
civilly and criminally, said Mr.. Nc
MILAN. He asserted that he had no
| interest in any newspaper, and spoke
solely in the interest of fair play and
| justice.
Mr.. G. G. Wyche, of Spartanburg,
spoke in favor of the bill, saying that
the present law is inadequate. Mr..
| Wyche devoted much of his time, as
did the other advocates of the bill,
to the recent primary of this State.
| Il have been maligned time and
again by newspapers, but that does
| not affect me here" said Mr.. Stew
| enson, who spoke against the bill
Mr.. Stevenson signed the minority
favorable report on the bill, but said
that his views had changed on the
measure and he now opposed it, Be-
cause some irresponsible person sits
in a newspaper office and assails me
| Is no reason why 1 should curtail an
| agency for civilization" he said.
He took some of the provisions of
the bill and showed that the article
] first published may be replied to,
whether the charge is true or false.
He read from the Constitution Of the
United States and of the State. show
| ing that freedom of the press is
| stoutly maintained in both. The
speech by Mr.. Stevenson was one of
the ablest delivered in the House in a
number Of years.
Mr.. Epps, of Sumter, spoke brief
| ly in favor Of the bill and said that it's
constitutionality can not be question
ed. He defended it's Justice
Mr.. Brice, Of Chester, said that
| when the feeling Of men are arous-
| ed they are apt to go too far in leg
| islation. Upon the freedom of
speech, the liberty of the press, all
wise government rests" he said
Remberts speech in full in favor Of
this bill, it might, under the law, be
filled with replies to the article" said
Mr.. Brice. You couldn't publish
Court proceedings of any investiga-
ton if you were an editor without
having your columns filled by per.
sons mentioned in the paper"
Mr.. Snapp spoke in favor Of the bill
Mr.. Lilies said this bill is not only
| unnecessary, but unwise. Mr.. Lilies
was the first speaker TO give atten-
ton to the position of the county
newspapers under the proposed law:
that they would all go into bank
has not arrived when truth and
honesty need protection from the
newspapers of South Carolina" he
said.
Mr.. O'Quinn, rising TO question
Of personal privilege, resented what
he termed an imputation on Mr..
a. hnp = npt hot
was representing the interests Of
the State" Mr.. Rembert said that
he had meant no reflection on any
member.
MIR, Lilies moved the previous qurs-
ton, which was the motion by Mr..
Mcmillan, to strike out the enact
ing words of the bill, whicn passed
by a vote Of 50 to 81.