The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-05-18

MT. Wiley startled his audience Of
editors when he proved TO them that
the yauRted freedom of the press 10 no
Wiley's address, which is considered
enc Of tha most fearless public utter
aaces Of the day:
More swiftly and a. surely AS the
glacier grinds its resistless way down
mountain slopes. sweeping before Il
all life and growth aud Development.
10 there il sweeping down on the
press Of America the relentless cold.
merciless un-American avalanche OF
governmental censorship.
Il is inconceiyable to my mind that
Naturalization OF the American press
viii be permitted to 20 on unheeded
and unchecked And yet the end or
the effort to throttle US 10 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 il added now the proposal
Of the congress OF the United States
70 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. it
will receive also the approval of the
Asuse OF representatives.
There Is pending, too. In the senate
q resolution. declaring that United
States district courts shall have no
power to declare an act Of congress
unconstitutional.
lam not here to make q defense OF
the liquor trafTic. nor to plead for
tAose newspapers and other periodic
ais that carry the advertising OF this
business. Personally, have no in.
tersst in the business direct or In
direct. nor have l ever defended II.
Speaking to you tonight as man to
mAn, l may add, even, that am per-
sonally opposed to some phases Of IT
for many reasons. but am more
strongly opposed to the insidious ef-
fort, of which this proposed legisls-
ton Is the opening wedge. TO repeal or
to emasculate Article ! of the amend
ments to the Constitution OF the
United States. which provides that
there shall be no abridgement OF the
freedom OF the press.
It is an age old fight, my friends.
this insistent effort to prevent the ex-
sreise of honest criticism OF man and
measures II has its beginning in
the dim, dark days when tyranny was
rule, when kings could DO no wrong
And when he who tremendously
raised his voice In complaint or ertti-
cism of those occupying the seats OF
the mighty paid for such indiseretion
with his life.
Gentlemen OF the Associated Ohio
Dailies, the battle is on. There IL even
now not alone governmental censor
ship OF the press, but the hrst sliMy
tentacles OF an inqnfsition have bear
thrust menacingly and with sinister
purpose toward complete official dom
tnaticn and control OF editorial utter
ance.
Let US read letter received by the
editor of an Ohio newspaper with
which most of yeu are familiar:
Sir:-Thare has been submitted to this
efaes q copy Of an editorial entitled VIII,
Not Regulate Everything" purportinE 10
have been published IN Jan. 4, 1911. issus
Of your pubcs ti0n. with the suggestion
that It was published for valuable con
Siaeratton and should. therefore, have
hasn marked as an advertisement, ID
accordance with the provisions OF the
act OF Aug. "a, 1912. copy OF which Il
inelossd. This office would be pleased &c
have a statement from you In regard v
the matter.
Respectfully,
A. NJ. DoCKERY.
Third Asst Postmaster General.
The editorial referred TO follows:
Why Not Regulate Evsrythnsf
Opposition OF the board OF governors Of
che Cincinnati Advertisers club To th'
Randall advertising bill pending in con-
Rress Is timely and sensible. This meas
urs. II enacted into law IL to Withhold
from the malls any publication or printed
matter advertising Intoxicating liquors
Cor sale
Enaetmsnt OF this bill into law viii
establish a precedent which quickly and
easily may lead TO governmental censor
ship OF all printed matter. II il becomes
unls wful TO publish adYertisiis relating
60 the sale OF intoxicating liquors, II vii
be but = step to prohibit the advertising
Of tobacco or underwear Of stockings
or OF any other commodity In which .
large portion OF the puSsie is interested
1t would almost appear that law Sc
drastic In its operation would be In con-
prevention OF the constitutional gusran'
tses to the press. Not because the bill
IN question relates to advertising Of alec
hol, but for the broader reason that II
impingss upon personal rights. members
Of congress should study the measure seri-
susly before committing themselves to it,
support.
You have before you indisputabls
evidence that an inquisitional govern
msnt is watching with lynx eyes every
uttsrance in opposition to enaetments
Of laws to throttle the press. Con
grsss. led by fanatics. or under the
termination OF paid zealots. is going to
enact these laws. and 1t will 80 fur
thsr. Having tasted the blood from
oAs broken vein. it will cry for gore
frsm the gushing arteries OF news