Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-19
Mcpherson OF Federal
Bench Talks to Edi-
tors of Nation.
FOR HONEST OPINIONS
Sees Help Rather Than Harm in
Fair Comment-"YelIoWS"
Are Hit.

Colorado Springs, Colo, June 19.-
"No Judge has ever yet maintained.I
his dignity and never will by bringing !
an editor before the court and punish
ing him because of animadversions
made through the columns or the
newspaper.
1t would be helpful to the courts
II editors Of learning and character
would in a dignihed and intelligent
manner discuss the rulings OF the
courts, whether by commendation or
whether by advance criticism
These statements were made in
paper by Smith Mcpherson, United
States district judge. southern district
OF Iowa, which was read before the
Nationa. Press association today
Judge Mcpherson did not attend the
meetings Of the association. In his
paper, which was entitled Liberty OF
the Press" he discussed in a general
way, the relations that should exist
between the courts and newspapers.
Intelligent criticism Is invited
said Judge Mcpherson. Slang and
vituperauon are despised by the Judge,
and as belleye by the intelligen. OF
the public Substantial and honest
and matured criticism is Of a great
aid to the courts, as well as educators
OF the public. Criticism at random
tends TO make a judge careless. Criu-
Cism OF newspapers should be OF
kind, and none other, than the editor
VCuld use ia conversation with the
Judge. Then there would be no bit
terness, but useful exchange OF
views. And with such criticism, pro
gress will be made, because such
criticism is within the limits of "free-
dom OF the press and not a mere IL
Cense for which there is no remedy,
and no resulting good. Let editors
and writer's be gentlemanly towards
the Judge. And let judges have a due
regard TO the freedom Of the press.
The public will then be the bene-
flciaries"
In the beginning Of his paper,
Judge Mcpherson said he wished the
relationship between the courts and
the press were more fair and sincere
than it is.
FOR PRESS FREEDOM.
THE freedom Of the press is one
OF the institutions of this country, and
as such will ever exist, and rightly
So" he continued. And no one be
lieves in this more than do the courts
II was but recently that the courts
righteously, against terrific pressure
prevented the dragging of editors, one
of them nearly a thousand miles, tC
make answer to an alleged libel. One
recital in the declaration of indepen
dence against England, was to the ef
feet that Americans were carried be
yond seas for trial. When a court il
Washington city. backed by stronl
pressure and great power. sought Il
drag New York city and an Indian
apohs editor TO Washington city, be
cause OF editorials with reference t
the Panama canal, 1t was the court.
that stamped IL as an outrage, an,
decreed that such oppression coult
not exist in free country. The liter
Rture found ia the published report
OF the courtssshow that the newspa
pers, their editors and publishers, viii
not plead in vain for protection b
the courts. This protection will b
given because it is just that it shoul
be so. And the courts should be cor
sidered by the press.
in speaking of the press, hav
but little TO say aSout the scanda
mongers and the socalled 'yello1
journalist They are outlaws, and ar
entirely beyond the pale OF respeC
by the courts and decent citizens gel
eraly. We judges have no remedy a
against them. II is idle to talk aboJ
bringing actions. either civil or Grin
inal, for libel. because such action
are expensive. and usually ludicrou
II not farcicaL Most newspaper
like most men. are sincere as to the
utterances. Their unfair criticism
come from lack Of information The
are TOO impatient TO strike.
PoIHTS TO ERRORS.
"In speaking OF the relations thi
do. or ought to. exist between II
newspapers and the courts, there Al
number OF fundamental error
Shich. like cobEebs. should be brus
ed away. One CT these errors is
Che fact that a great many OF u
judges seemingly believe that becaul
they wear the robes OF once. they a
and should be beyond criticism Tn
is fallacy. believe as much as do
anyone in maintaining the dignity
the courts and that the people shou
have respect for the courts. Blu:
Judge must command respect In son