New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-04
THE TRIBUNE'S FIGHT FOR
A FREE PRESS.
u. s. Supreme Courts Free Prsn
Verdict.

From The Fourth Estate -.
The New York Tribune is worthy q
every praise that can be bestowed afea
it for its service to the nation IN BRING
ing about the all important deeisiea
handed down by the United States 81
preme Court this week. Il gave W.
limited time, money and trouble .
Rave re-emphas.zed Tor all tine one :.
the basic principles Of our government
that there is no power WITHIN 'a'
nation that can muZzle the press:
The Supreme Court decision ordet.ls
the release from custody OF Oe9is'
Burdick and William L. Curtin ia'
Tribune men who were held ioE CO...
tempt for declining 70 disclose lnsH
sources of informa on relative 70 ar
cles published in The Tribune was a.
ceived with unmitigated Satisfaction "
newspaper men everywhere.
II is declared on all sides thS' v.
opinion, so far as newspaper men ~
concerned. is the most importsn' ~
fsr-reaching that the court has n'n'''
down in many a day. .
The effect Of the opinion, y
leved in Washington, especlally, w.
be TO broaden the freedom OF me pro
especially since the "pitIless puolSy.
motto of the administration mas ''~
turned 70 the wall. -.
Washington newspaper men, par
larry. who comprise representatives !,
practically every daily paper ~
United States. have, OF neees.H
sources of information which mus'
held invlolable. II this were lV'
case many actions OF govetnmisSDi ,.or
cials which the public shou!e Adv
about would be kept out OF print "a
The Tribune case decision msAa Il
them that confidential relations &c.
maintained without fear OF q puOIs
fetal using his power OF me $50
ment TO compel the writer Oh s''''
disclose its source. .,.,,,,
The public importance OF this mr. "a.
lies in the fact that through Wv
lister exercise of the pardonihs 80
under like circumstance eehsoIiso,
of the press might be establishes. AZ,
which there could be no remeoi .s,;os
of an amendment to the ConS'''
of the United States. " co,s,;.
The First Amendment OF inc Io 40.
tuition, which forms a part OF 70. ,,yj.
called bill Of rights, containing 49,.
sions which are regarded as fu l,Di IN.
al in free institutions. proVless i,,s
Congress shall make no law 49, .sss,
the freedom of SPecch 'r OF lhe 80.
The liberty Of the 's mean ihn,.r q
ing unless it mear nat HOS,| ,,f.
publication without the preylosSs "a "a,
mission of the government w. - esr.
obtained by the abolition OF 'H'
sorShip." - II The
The result Of this decision o. ,,s,r
Supreme Court is 10 avert Sssa,s.
cf which the makers OF our WV
ton probably never dreamed. IA,
Il ends once and for all me 'ee sys,s.
the executive officers Of this gV',sk
ment can in practical effect .Ln",Sos.
tho ostousible exercise OF he 4.
ing mower. be furnished with tAv
ouisitorial and punitive power nss
criminal court fer enforcing NJ sa,ns.
regulations relative 20 giving ~ sf,s
ton 10 the public about their os. .i.ior
In its technical aspects tne "a he
holds that "a pardon IS ee'u, .srtis,
validity OF Whlcn dcIiNeis = with0u,
and delivery is not complete
acceptance ,,, say
with great justice, the e 1U,o htiss
that circumstances may be mAuyy ,ss las
innocence under the penalties o 's.or,ss
OF so brought. escape oy s,So,sn,s
sion Of guilt, implied IN the aS'v6 he -
Of a pardon, may be rejected ,;,,ir, d
7 laced may prefer 10 be the s,,S,isd.sl
The law rather than It's aeAnV"'
~. decisies
Ii Is in this aspect OF me ala q
that it is important also IN vac =. eos.
private rights But il Is ior -, prt,,
nection with the freedom OF '"1 n, ths
that il is chiefly noteworthy, .,hhlss
field IL is that il gives the uS .,s psE.
TO an evil that might have 0s'0'"@
tentous.