The Monticellonian., 1915-02-25
BUSH AND I9 OTHERS.

duction the endorsement of
 Senator Bush and I9 other Sena-
 tors, to us unknown, as their
 names do not appear, which, Ii it should become a law would nulify the influence of newspapers altogether, in the matter of ex- posing graft, corruption in of flee, or venality and rascality, generally.
 The provisions of this Bill, as given out by the Arkansas Ga zette, last Friday, is as follows:
 "The Bill provides that when ever any newspaper shall pub fish anything (which, in it's com
 mon acceptance; is calculated to bring into contempt, disrepute,
 disgrace or public disfavor." the name of any person and the per son shall offer a statement con- corning the charges against him the paper shall print free of charge his reply. The failure, re fusal or neglect to print this re- ply shall make the editor, pro- prietor, and business manager each guilty of libel. A fine of from $1O to $500 is the penalty under the Bill. The Bill further states that conviction for libel shall constitute cause for dam- ages against the paper for libel
 Now, let us take a look at this unique conception of law-making fairness and justice to the news papers of Arkansas. Under our present statute of libel the truth of the matters charged is a justi- f1cation, but under this Bill it that 1t would not be so. A public officer might be guilty of theft, of habitual drunkeness, of abandoned and incontinent behavior, or any other offense, and a newspaper could not ap- prise the public of such facts, without being guilty of libel, un- less 1t published, free of charge,
 any statement the culprit de sired to make, regardless of its length, it's truth, or it's charac- ter. The reply might be obscene,
 which would make the publisher liable to punishment by the Fed eral government, for sending such matter through the mails. It might be scurrilous, blasphem- ous and contemptible, yet under this proposed Bill, the publisher would have to give 1t space, or be guilty of libel. What we have said about a public officer will apply to anyone else. If John Smith or William Brown should steal a horse, burn a house, or murder an innocent man, and a newspaper made mention of the fact, t would have to open it's columns to any vile stnff that said Smith or Brown might feel inclined to dope out.
 As 1t Is already the law of li- bel Ito publish anything which in its common acceptance, is cal eulated to bring into contempt, disgrace, or public disfavor." auy statement which is untrue, 1t will be plain to the average man of intelligence that our wise Ions are trying to muzzle the prs~s seas ta prevent it from publishing the deIinquencies of pa ii1 which are true
 his 6 t. nassed, would not sd=c. tae newspapers not near s1#ftl 5s the public, and the : ] EEae country.
 Nf specting new spaper PubHsues accounts of the mis- aeeds of people for its own grat. hcation and glory; but for the oublic good. It is that the pub- ic may be warned against bad men. If this Bill should become ] law the newspapers would just 'Hnpiv have to withhold the facts rom the public, which the pub ic angat to know, or run the -fsk et an injurious and infam 'ne imposition.
 | Senator Bush and his 19 are apprehensive of be- ng exposed by some newspaper, He suggest to them, in all kind less. to always do right, and hey will never have cause to ear the newspapers.