The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1915-03-06

Another fool bill which is evidently |
designed 20 throw a scare into the hearts
Of newspaper publishers has been intro |
duced in the Oregon legislature by Sena'
tor Daniel Kellahcr and Is known as
senate Bin No. i2s. IL Is an act rela'
tive 10 regulating newspapers and tse
publication Of nothing but the ttnth'
and goes into the details Of a Hgid re
strictiou Of newspaper privileges IN pub
Iicity, defining limitations and hh'ng
penalties for infraction Of It's proVi'
sionA
Its first expression OF purpose Is 70
permit the publication Of "NoTHING
bUT THE TRUTH" which ould bar
from publication matter that is Of vital
import 20 the reading public, as mnch
that Is founded on heaTsay, and having
the semblanee Of truth, is printed and
read which by such publication arouses
community or individual interest 10
consideration Of conditions not gener-
ally known 20 exist, and out Of the
multiplicity Of assertions truths are AZ,
rived at whereby evils are remedied ana
iniustices forestalled. Publicity, even
though erroneous statements are given
expression in print at times, Is the
great purifier OF thought, conduct and
conscience, and any attempt 70 eonhne
the publication Of news 70 NOTHING
BUT TIE TRUTH will seriously ham
per the effort being made TO suppress
vice in the high and the low places.
The whole bill is saturated with the
spirit Of arrogant intolerance and seems
70 have been conceived in malice and
pernielous prejudice. The columns OF
periodicals must be closed 10 all dis.
cussion of men and affairs lest some OF
error may be given TO the public. IL an
official be accused of crookedness II
must be definitely stated that reference
is made TO a curvature Of the spine and
not TO a curvature Of conscience to avoid
the possibility Of prosecution.
Il would seem from the phrasing OF
the bill that any publisher who admits
10 his column any statement, allegation
or rumor that Is false may be prose
cuted, even though a published retrae-
ton is made, no matter how conscien'
tious he may have been in the matter,
nor what the mitigating circumstances.
Nor does his retraetion, voluntarily, or
on demand, release him from suit for
damages. The injured party may stiil
allege and prove malice on the part OF
the publisher. The publisher has no
consideration worth mentioning in the
temper Of the bill, his motive is Of no
effect.
The lines Of demarcation arc so fine
" drawn as 70 almost preclude any crit
| icism of a person, association or firm IN
the public press and a discussion of the
character, reputation or cspability Of a
candidate for public Office becomes a
dangerous procedure under the provisions
/ Of the bill proposed. Intimidation OF
the press Is poor policy, and 10 give le
gal sanction TO the intimidation is worsC
than folly. Yet this bill, when reduced
10 its last analysis, is an effort 70 in
timidate.
The Gallivan Bill in congress was de
signed to vest in the postmaster general
the authority to suppress periodicals al
his discretion. The Oregon measure
seems 10 be designed 20 lay new shad
ows over the prerogstives Of the pres
and place restraints upon editorial ludg
ment in matters Of public interest, viii
penalties protruding from its interior
10 frighten the unwary into a milk anC
water journalism. Neither measure i
safe OF sane.
i The freedom Of the press TO publish
20 the world not only undeniable facts
but also rumors and allegations that ma,
directly or indirectly influence the ef
feet Of facts, is a freedom that must b
preserved 10 safeguard the welfare o
the social, business and political futur
Of q free people.
Section two Of the bill provides tha
in case of the publication of any falls
statement, allegation or rumor, the pub
Usher must publish on demand of th
person or persons asected any state
ment or article setting forth the trutl
in regard 10 the matter. This privileg
has been accorded wherever occasion de
mAnded without legislation. No con
scientious Publisher win accept for pub
.lication any statement, derOgatory o