The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1919-10-10
Freedom of the Press.

~HERE continues to be considerable amount Of edi-
torial space devoted to the freedom of the press
Several editorials we have lately charge by in
situation directly, that somewhere in the state
papers being restrained from honest criticism OF
Judges by the fear of being punished for contempt of
court"
If there were any such would-be tyrants upon the
bench of this think the editor who had knowledge
of their evil dongs and who failed to expose it, is just as
guilty and more cowardy.
To our mind the only greater coward the editor who
charges by insnuaton that the courts crooked and
does not specify which court Judge for fear that they
will be punished for telling the truth.
We don't know what that Memphis editor went to jail
for if it for exposing rotten court he is entitled
to all honor if for SANDER and untrue statements he
should go to Jail.
We have never consulted any lawyer about the law,
but Editor Patterson of the Covngton News says he has,
and we heartily agree with his views the matter as
expressed below:
"Under what section of the Code of Georgia is it
violation of the law for newspaper to crtcise judge
of the superior court What constituted authority has
issued the opinion that newspaper criticism may be legally
into the oens of contempt of court The News under
stands the definition of contempt to that it is the
refusal of person to obey expressed order of the
court or improper acts in court while court is
in session. Untmely comment case involving the
judiciary during the of trial might possibly be
strained into of contempt but The News has been
unable to discover the law that exempts the judiciary
from criticism, have several lawyers who have been
consulted by the editor of this newspaper.
In cases of detrimental criticism the judge involved
would in our opinion be compelled to institute proceedings
charging libel but the law prohibiting criticism so well
concealed that it is almost obsolete Wholesome criticism
is advantageous and should be applicable to courts well
rs governors senators and congressman Nobody should
be immune if anybody declared, under what section
of the code may it be revealed?
at is a wise provision of the law that allows the peo-
ue of America constitutional right of such free action
and the privilege of free Speech and superior court
Judge who imagnes that he exempt from criticism has
the legal power either, which would be sus-
pension of the Constitution of the United States.
$50 far as The News is concerned it entertains the
highest regard the excellent Christian gentleman who
recently promoted from the Stone Mountain Circuit to
the State Court of Appeals which also applicable to the
able lawyer who has succeeded him, but
at would hesitate to critcse either occasion
should develop which is unlikely. When judge so Tar
forges the dignity of his Office to fire from behind the
bench at a newspaper who has been guilty OF no
wrong doing he deserves few paragraphs and this
newspaper would hesitate to reply in like manner
and language"
Whenever we get too cowardly to attack rottenness
and corruption of courts elsewhere want our pa
per suppressed but have desire to Islander the
courts and get by with the plea that calling no
names