Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-01-22

whose object is the general welfare or
general legislation.
The standard of professional ctnics
among the Washington correspondents Is
exceedingly high and it Is certain tha'
some of the conditions found to exist III
the press gallery of the Massachusetts
state House never would be tolerated
here. Political work from time irnmc-
mortal has been regarded as technically
legitimate in the press gallery neVerthe-
less many writer's will decline employ
ment in any political capacity because
they are unwilling to make any associa-
ton that may influence their Judgment
or hamper their independence. Many a
WASHINGTON correspondent works year
after year for very modest return rather
than sacrifice his professional STANDING
by accepting work "on the outside.
How rigidly the rules of the press gal-
lery are enforced by the superintendent
may be inferred from a recent typical IN
cident in which Thomas Nelson Page
now United States amha ssador to Italy
figured. Mr.. Page. as distinguished
novelist and magazine writer. had been
extended the occasional courtesy of tho
gallery at times when it was convenient
for outsiders to he admitted But the
standing committee has made Il rule
whereby ON special card days. o.'
days of special events-nonc but rcSu-
larly admitted correspondents are al
loved in the sacred spaces On the DAY
President Wilson read his first mes sage
Mr.. Page came to the gallery accom- IVAN
lied by +. Hopkinson Smith, an equally
distinguished novelist, painter and lee
gallery
would have been delighted TO do honor to
these two men, but the gallery of 'als
were turning away outside news per
men right and left, and the future am
bassador and his friend were refused adj
mission. In fact. it is the unwrtten rule
always strictly observed, that a cores
pendent shall not take a layman into the
press gallery. even his own brother
These rules arc not framed In any ar
bitrary spirit; they are necessary for the
r protection Of busy newspaper men who
are compelled to discuss the weighties
affairs Of the nation at moments no
tice and can brook no Interruptions.
The standing committee as stated, cx
ercises an authority that is practicallN
absolute Its limitation is reached. how
ever. IN the matter of lbellous and falls
:
the committee itself declining jurisdiction
= in such cases, ON the ground that the
! involve a censorship of the press, an
= that the authority derived by the com
n mittec from the men who elected it ncvo
g contemplated that the committee shout
e Isit i'm Judgment over the writings OF any
e. one or the publications Of any news
= paper. That this is q matter between tn
{ members of Congress and the offendin
$ correspondents or newspapers is mad
g clear by the presidents, wherein Gctio
= in case of libel always has been take
t by the House or Senate But even
v these cases the advice Of the standin
e. committee usually is sought A case c
= bribery would stand on a different foot
= ing, as an offence against the gallery II
n self.
o \ smaller body is often more difficult
$ handle than n larger, but it l. clear tina
Il If the newspaper profession in Boston {
any other capital city would maintain IN
% lrespcct of the community it should SAT-
g guard itself by some such system as thu
If employed so long and successfully by I'll
: Washington corps of correspondents