Year: 1876

THE PRESS AND PUBLIC MEG.


I've recent action of the Senate in the
expulsion Of The Chronicie reporter, and
the subsequent action Of the Assembly in
refusing to take notice Of the proceeding
until its attention was called toit officially,


win have tendency to make those in
terestcd in the publishing business give
due reflection TO the duties which exist
on the part OF the press toward those who


occupy public stations. So far as the


fact, Of this particular case are concerned,


they are known and freely criticised, but


here the remedy for the wrong, if the


wrong existed, was at hand and it was
promptly exercised. That its exercise
may have been justified to some extent,


we are not disposed to argue we leave


that question to those who have the most


direct personal interest. Tho action Of


any legislative or executive body which


seek, 70 cover any Of its proceedings with


secrecy will always be looked upon with


suspicion, and the fact that it may choose
10 let its proceedings be known through
one channel to the exclusion Of others,
viii not lessen such a feeling. Itis looked
upon az one great duty Of the press to
point ont and expose corruption, mis-
management, or incompetcncy on the
part Of public servants, and the only
question at issue is to what extent the
press i justified in attacking men and


their motives A. judged by thcir acts.


We are not disposed to claim for the
press any unjustiGable privileges. We


know that every man who aspires to pub


lie station does SO with the consciousness


that not only his public but bis private


life will become, as it were, public prop


erty, and that he who seek, to elevate


himself above the multitude knows that
in SO ding he places himself in aposition
for criticism. And that it is heaped on
unspaiing'y, the public need not be tod.
There are some journals whose life seems
to pend upon the amount Of abuse


which they can pour upon those who
differ with them in matter, political. 1t


was this abuse Of men who would not be
dictated to by its proprictors which made
the old Sacramento UHioH obnoxious 10
those who were the friends OF fair dealing.
Its idea, upon railroad questions were
such that it would brook no opposition,
and those who dared 20 differ with itwerc
bounded ucessantIy. Its great idea
seemed to be to attack our Senators and
Repre-. cutatiyes at the National Capital
who held views different from the trium
Nirate which controlled it, to weaken
their Influence and power for good, while
il be>lobberld with fulsome pjaise the
WHO looked to il ior guild
arce. No oGc can object to fair cliti-
cism Of the acts of men in public life In
our capacity rs individuals we can scru-
tlnize the acts Of those in our employ.
and failure Of duty brings prompt dis
charge, but in the case OF the public SER
wants the press has to be the guardian OF
the public interest. So long a.it, censor
ship is just and Legitimate it viii com
nand popular confidence, but when it
appears that journal is cudeaqoring by
abuse TO force men TO swcrye from what
they may deem the strict line of duty,
then it is sure to lose its hold upon the
people.


In the case of the Senate against The
reporter Of the Chro,acie, there appears to
nave been an abuse Of privilege upon one
sid', and am usuIpation Of ight upon the
other. when allowed seat within tie
bar OF the Seaatc, the reporter accepted
it, courtesie, which, in his capacity OF
correspondent he should have returned
D. treating with courte those who had
granted him the facilities he enjoyed for
the pursuance Of his occupation. If he F.
abused those privileges, then it became
the right and the duty of the Senate to
ENFORCE respect. Bat when lis privilege |
within the bar Of the House was denied
him there the Senate should have stonpcd
lie had the same tight in any other por-
ton OF the Capitol building rs any mem
Der Of tie Senate itself and the action Of
that body in compelling him to leave
the gallery was unwarantabe and indie
iensibIe. A public body should so
slow in a matter of this character, for
what may be considered Just and proper
action in one part Of the case becomes
petty persecution in another.