The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-01-15
NO ANIMUS. ONLY NEWS

Is b
between individuals tried 1t is newspaper and
its function is to gather and disseminate When
this is of legal character the usual course Is to
state that action has been brought or charge made
before established authority or court When such &C
ton or such charge heard In the proper tribunal 1t be-
the function Of the to report the proceedings
to the public. When decision made it is its function
as newsgatherer and dissemination to make public this
decision acquttal or conviction
The Tribune Monday departed from this general policy
OF newspapers to throw its columns to aggreved
reader and it hopes friend did out of courtesy
Frederick McCurdy Saturday made the defendant
in an action before the supreme court seeking his dis
barment and The Tribune obtained the facts Of this ac-
ton and published them, solely news. However, Mr.
McCurdy seemed to feel that the situation required that
he be able to present his side Of the matter to the public
he felt that disposition Of the proceedings against him
would be tardy that he could not gain full and timely
benefit Of any absouton from the charges that might
eventually Of investigation by the supreme
court So Of courtesy and in desire to put beyond
the pale Of controversy any doubt It's neutrality be-
tween the two principals in the matter The Tribune
opened its columns and allowed Mr. McCurdy to have his
say hoped he might feel that the fullest possible
justice had been accorded him by the paper.
Mr.. McCurdy, however, treated offense the pub
cation of public matter in which he is made to figure
and attributed to the paper animus that has
isence whatever. He seemed to feel that The Tribune
having ascetaned fact that he had been proceeded
against by another citizen and taxpayer in matter in
oving public interestsShould have concealed from the
Mbic the steps taken. 4s
The Tribune does not think It would have been
:ecreant to the public which supports medium for
information public doings 1t had concealed what 1t
had learned. The public buys paper to get the news,
not to have the kept from it. Sometimes it is suf-
fcienty difficult to and suppressng others
would be preposterous Not all news is good news. of
course and some men are unfortunate at times to be
rather conspicuous in this latter character of publicity
Then the paper must think with its head. not with It's
heart its sympathies It must print the facts though
they painful to someone That is their misfortune
Making public is the duty Of the newspaper and
legitimate and honest duty.
Mr. McCurdys grievances it to The Tribune. arc
against his There be basis for griev-
In the fact that The Tribune published the institu
ton Of the action against him. Publication neither
indictment conviction just detailed recital OF
the fact that he had been challenged to defend
his actions-actions not private citizen but
public servant in former term Of office.
Neither do the means methods sources by which
The Tribune obtained the tip the facts Of the dsbar
ment action become issue in the The issues
wholly In the action itself and In the accusations therein
made. As matter Of holding the confidence of news
all papers necessarily secreve about these
News often is impaired in confidence. leaving to the
paper the development Of its details out of tip
Is obvious that paper afford to 60 behind its
stories in this respect engage dispute as
the source of the revelation.
Mr.. McCMdy should not argue this point If the news
story published In his had been Pigment Of fiction
there would be point to his quixotic complaint How.
the fact that there proceedings entered against
him ought to divert his mind from impotent
trovers to how the paper got the and
rate the proceedings in court There The Tribune
would remind him In the kndliest spirit the import
ant matter for him to combat.