Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1918-02-08
FRIDAY, FEB. 8, 1918.
NOT MEANT FOR US, EXACTLY

A ANSWERING our article in last weeks Record
Secretary Porte of the Utah State Press AS
ISOLATION, has written us the following letter,
which, although intended as personal comun-
cation, we are going to reproduce in these columns
for two reasons first because our readers have
already heard part of the story, and will be inter-
ested in hearing it through; and second. because
there is principle involved which lies at the very
foundation of our free government-the freedom
of speech and of the press. The reason that the
German people are so benighted and ignorant Of
what is transpirng outside of the range of their
individual visions, is because the press of that ma
ton is muzzled and is allowed to print only such
items of news as the war lords and autocrats APP
prove Of In this way they are kept in ignorance
of the real objects of the war; both the part of
their country and and that of their opponents.
Ignorance Is one OF the worst things that civza-
tion and Christianity have to contend with, and
there is nothing of more Importance to the people
Of a nation than that there should not only be
freedom of the press but also that the press, and
PARTICULARLY the country press being freer from
private and political graft and control should be
encouraged to speak the truth plainly and fear
lessy, according to the convictions of the editors,
even though their estimate and verdict necessar-
lily will not always be infalble.
In the following letter. while Mr.. Porte may
take rather radical view, he speaks many truths,
which are well worth considering:
", y,
My Dear Wilkinson.--Your paper received
this morning and glad to notice that ~
printed my letter to the members of the Associa-
ton, although it was meant for them only; but
it may do lots of good to have thte letter sent
broadcast.
If you had been with me in Denver, and had
seen the way the coutry editors there were taken
of and looked up to, and know how they
looked down upon by all the state officials and
IN, he ctat p,1I ha,ra
ten a much warmer letter yourself Also, if you
would look over week after week, as ] do, the
papers of this state and try find little item
about the running of the state you would also
feel as do
Now, that letter was not meant for you,
acty, as your paper seems to be one of the very
few that has little backbone, and you should
not take the remarks as personal which am sure
that you did not.
have grievance nor anything else except
that want to see the country press on the whole
in Utah take its right place, and not be laughing
stock-that is how feel
/ was country editor and believe me | said
things. Quite few remember them yet, and an
entire change of affairs took place. Also, Sam
Clark of Jim Jam TENS in the game at the
time, and we sure made things hum And
we did a lot of good and respected. Some
day hope to get into the newspaper game in
Utah and speak my little piece.
The press in this state needs waking up, and
if small doses does not do it, then they stand
for bigger doses. | also talk to thte printers of
this city the same way, and they sure need it, too
Guess that is why am popular!
Really, now, Wilkinson, don't you think the
press in this state needs stirring up?
Yours sincerely,
r. T. PORTE, Secretary.
There is no question but that the country press
in Utah could become much more potent power
for good in the state than it is at the present
time, and could command much more respect than
it does if proper course were taken to gain it.
But at the very foundation of the trouble that
Mr.. Porte Sees is the fact that the country press