This Week In History, 5-12-11

Jerome Frame, good horseman and fine farmer, was here.

C.L. Offutt, a progressive farmer of Minnora, was here Monday, and tickled the palm of our lean hand with some of the long green that seems so plentiful over in the valley of the West Fork. He informed us that everything is lively in      his neighborhood. He has bright prospects for a prosperous    year in farming. He recently purchased a fine work horse, and now has three for which he paid over $600.

Mrs. John Pugh, who has been ill with pneumonia fever, is still in a delicate condition.

“Jim” Doyle is here for a few days visit. He is working in the Roane County oil fields. His well is shut down for 10-inch casing.

We have a letter from Sam McKee that states he is moving from Washington state back home. His old friends on the West Fork will be glad to see him, and no doubt Sam is thirsty for one more drink of water from that beautiful stream.

W.W. Cunningham and wife, ex-Calhouners now of Garrett County, Md., are visiting relatives and friends in these parts.

1961, 50 years ago

the editorial column and on the front pages of newspapers, and from the speaker’s platform, we constantly hear about “freedom of the press.”

Newspaper editors and publishers are constantly seeking ways to safeguard the “freedom of the press.” There is no reason for the search to be prolonged or difficult, for this right is guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States.

“Freedom of the press” is a right which carries certain definite responsibilities with it. All that the newspapers of the nation have to do, to protect and preserve this right, is to see to it that they vigorously perform the duties that the public has a right to expect of a free press.

As long as the people of this country believe that the press, in fact, is free, there is no danger whatever of the newspapers losing their “freedom.” If the public ever becomes convinced that newspapers are deliberately distorting the news, misrepresenting officials, or otherwise using their journals for selfish purposes, there will be no need for them to clamor about a free press.

The general public, disgusted with a sycophant press, will applaud any step taken to curb unbridled license. A decent code of ethics, a sense of responsibility and the evidence of a desire to serve the public well will go towards preserving “freedom of the press.”