People v. Francis

As will be seen from the Statement of Facts in this case, the primary question is one of libel, but in every case of this character the question of the “freedom of the press” is brought out in bold relief. As the Anglo-Saxon view of libel and the “freedom of the press” has only recently made its advent in this community, it may be well to make some general, and at times particular, remarks in relation to its genius and in elucidation thereof.

The powerful position of the newspapers in our day, and their supreme importance, both for good and evil, has been set forth succinctly by one of the…