| Show UPHOLD COURAGEOUS EDITORS For many years Wisconsin has been known as a sive state politically Just what Progressive means means' is largely a matter of opinion An incident occurred in the Progressive 1931 Wisconsin Legislature which arouses public interest in ill the freedom fredom of the press and personal rights and John fohn D. D Chapple managing editor of Ash Ashland land Wisconsin Daily Press criticized Progressive Progressive Pro legislation for what he considered its attempt to prohibit opposition by private rat industries of Wisconsin to the program of state ownership of industry which the legislature favored In Ian tan address before the Ashland Ash Ash- land Rotary Club and and reprinted reprint reprint- ed from the Ashland Tidings Tiding's in copyright booklet form he shows shows' what Wisconsin legislators legislators legisla legisla- tors and legislative committees did to gag opposition to political cal attacks on private proper- proper 11 n P his opinion As Asa a result Mr l Chapple Chappie was requested to appear before the the assembly i judiciary committee to toe explain lain his editorial criticism of their program and his comment on certain individual members members- His report of the Questions asked him and the determined f fight made to deny him an opportunity opportunity op op- op ty to to tom m make ke his own statement in conclusion reminds reminds reminds re re- re- re minds one of gag rule of the most d despotic charl character ter A A A 1 o o ci vi v k f t Z 4 A 1 poll l l TOW row IS lIS of no particular interest to the balance of the United States except as it develops policies which encroach upon fundamental fundamental fundamental funda funda- mental American rights Citizens Citizens Citizens Citi Citi- zens in every state resent political political po po- po- po attempts to curb or in intimidate intimidate in- in an editor for forr his comment comment comment com com- ment abo about t public officials or legislative b bodies dies i t The greatest danger this natIon nation na na- tion faces today is the growing power of If gag Yule rule editorial comment was vas in Wisconsin as claimed by Editor Chappie Chapple it Should be criticized by every Editor regardless of his poli poli- cies The absolute freedom of the press is the grea greatest test safeguard this nation has against ag arrogant which can if permitted to unrestrictedly unrestrictedly un un- restrictedly expand its powers crush tush personal liberty and in individual individual in in- in initiative and enterprise enterprise enterprise enter enter- prise in this nation Legislative and public servants servants ser ser- ants should be rebuked when necessary ary and tax s should be e held more strictly Accountable to the taxpayers for their official acts in digging dig dig- doing ging into the public treasuries In n th their ir endeavors endeavor to force s' s n t tes es into business in competition compe with private citizens and taxpayers Editor Capple e is to b bs com coin lit mended and should be upheld for or his courage in e expressing his objections to a political system in which he does not believe in the face of the powerful powerful pow y erful opposition of the party in power The people need th thi 1 kind of courage to prot protect ct American American Am Am- traditions and ideals |
