The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1917-03-09

torial circles.
Mr. Wiley stsrtled his audience of
editors when he proved to them that
the Wanted freedom OF the press is no
more. Here are excerpts from Mr..
Wiley's address, which is considered
one of the most fearless public utter
ances of the day:
More swiftly and as surely as the
glacier grinds its resistless way down
mountain slopes, sweeping before 1t
all life and growth and development,
SO there is sweeping down on the
press of America the relentless, cold.
merciless un-American avalanche of
governmental censorship.
Ii is inconceiNable to my mind that
Russianization OF the American press
will be permitted to go on unheeded
and unchecked. And yet the end or
the effort to throttle us is not In sight.
To the local efforts OF Alabama, West
Virginia and other states TO prevent
the sale or circulation OF newspapers
containing advertisements OF certain
character is added now the proposal
OF the congress OF the United States
TO prevent the carrying by mail any
where OF newspapers containing such
advertising matter. That proposal
has already been endorsed by the SEN
ate. and II reports may be believed. IL
will receive also the approval OF the
house OF representatives.
There Is pending. too. In the senate
resolution. declaring that United
States district courts shall have no
power 10 declare an act of congress
unconstitutional.
am not here to make q defense OF
the liquor traffic. nor TO plead for
those newspapers and other periotic-
business. Personally, | have no In
terest in the business direct or In
direct, nor have | ever defended II.
Speaking to you tonight AS man to
man, may add. even, that I am per
sonally opposed TO some phases OF II
for many reasons. but l am more
strongly opposed TO the insidous Ell
fort. of which this proposed legisfa-
ton Is the opening wedge. 10 repeal or
10 emasculate Article OF the amend
ments TO the Constitution of the
United States. which provides that
there shsll be no sbridgement CT the
freedom Of the press.
II Ia an age old fight. my friends.
this insiGtent effort 10 prevent the e1-
eroiss OF hsnest criticism q man and
measures, II has It's b@anatns In
tbs dim. DARK days when 0tanxy waa
rule. whom kings could q 20 VroBS
and when he who ta0ural3ously
raised his voice IN consRA0k 0r ertf
clam Of these occupytnG To seats a
the mighty paid for such 3Af2scosssoa
With his life.
Gentlemen Of the Associated 0his
Dailies, the hattie is on There u even
now not alone a governmental censor
ship Of the press, but the first Shiny
tentacles Of an inquisition have been
thrust menacingly and with sinisse:
purpose toward complete official dom
ination and control Of editorial utter
ance.
Let us read ayletter received by The
editor of an Ohio newspaper with
which most of you are familiar:
Sir:-Thsre has been submitted to this
office copy of an editorial entitled why
Not Regulate Everything" purportinz &c
have been published in Jan. 4, 1917. Issue
Of your publication with the suggestion
that 1t was published for vaua bic con-
siderstion and should therefore. have
been marked as an advertisement. In
accordance with the provisions OF the
\.
incioset This office would be pleased e
have al statement from you IN regard &
the matter.
Respectfully.
A NJ COOKERY
Third Asst Postmaster General.
The editorial referred TO follows:
Why Not Regulate Everything?
| : Opposition OF the board of governors o
! the Cincinnati Advertisers club to tn,
! Randall advertising bili pending in con
! gress Is timely and sensible. This meas
| ure if enacted into law is 10 withhold
from the mails any publication or printed
matter advertising intoxicating liquors
for sale
Enactment Of this bin into law vii
establish a precedent which quickly anC
easily may lead TO governmental censor
/ ship of all printed matter. II Il become:
unlawful 10 publish advertising relatin,
10 the sale Of intoxicating liquors, IL vii
be but a step 10 prohibit the advertiser:
Of tobacco or underwear, OF stockings
or Of any other commodity IN which
! large portion Of the public is Interested
II would almost appear that law >,
/ drastie in its operation would be in con
travention Of the constitutional guaran
tees = the pres. Not because the bill
IN qtscstioH rCi1tes II advertising OF alec
hol but 10 - ligc tder reason that I
irn7tr ses upon 80. -aal rights member
II t1r gIess .d.study the measure seri
-ousfy before committing themselves to it
zcppor;
icu AVE before yog inii auta BIZ
evidence that an inquis tional govern
reat is watching with lynx eyes ever.
ut,erance IN opposition 10 enactment
Of laws to throttle the press. Con
gress, led by fanatics. or under tn
domination of paid zealots, is going {,
enact these Jaws, ard il will go ful
Their Having tasted the blood from
one broken vein, it VIII cry for. gor
from the gushing arteries OF news
paper life.
Who made that suggestion 10 m