The Sun Remembers 1955: Where I Stand — Hank Greenspun: Reporter’s banishment from state Assembly violation of freedom

Friday, Aug. 11, 2000 | 9:26 a.m.

Note to readers: This column by Sun founder Hank Greenspun appeared on Nov. 3, 1955

Ed Reid is now writing his dispatches for the Sun from the peanut gallery of the Nevada Assembly. Ed was banned from the state assembly for supposedly writing articles critical of certain assemblymen.

From the gallery, Ed writes he cannot judge character but is becoming a specialist on bald spots. I presume the Sun reporter is being humorous about his banishment and his reference to bald spots means the tops of the heads of assemblymen.

There is, however, a real bald spot in the Legislature itself. A spot where nothing grows; a barren area completely devoid of growth or progress or understanding.

No matter how ludicrous the Assembly appeared in exiling Reid, it just ain't funny. It isn't Reid, or the Sun or even the ignorant, arrogant people in the assembly who should be considered. It is an entire state within a union of 47 other states making up one of the few remaining free countries of the world, which is involved in this incident.

A time-honored principle that has made the United States a model to all countries has been defamed, tarnished and dirtied. The term freedom, of which the United States is supposed to be a model, has been sullied by irresponsible leadership of the basest kind in the assembly of Nevada.

Banning a newspaperman from a supposedly free assembly for critical writings cannot be dismissed as the actions of terribly inept, dull, mediocre people who have been given power which they cannot direct in responsible channels. The disgrace is not in the vote to bar Reid, but in the fact that not one person in the entire assembly stood to defend, not Reid, but a principle for which countless thousands, through the years, have given their lives.

Freedom to dissent is the basis on which this country was founded. It is the rock on which the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are molded in the hearts and minds of freedom-loving people everywhere. Without freedom, this country is no different than Nazi Germany and Communist Russia and must therefore eventually fall. And any political body which attempts to stifle this precious right by silencing or intimidating opposition is trifling with un-American totalitarian ideas.

Ed Reid did not agree with the actions of some of the legislators in the assembly. For this he wsas banished. A penalty was therefore placed on a man's right to disagree. A man was punished for refusal to conform to ideas with which he took issue. His originality and independence was threatened by elected officials who were so ignominiously defaming.

In this session of the Nevada Assembly so devoid of courage or understanding that not a single assemblyman realized the consequences of this shameful action? Do these supposed legislators know the full import of what they have done or are they too stupid to comprehend the disgrace they have heaped upon the state?

The 1955 session of the assembly had barely started when the realization came that this group would be less capable than any other assembly in memory. But no matter how mediocre and inferior they appeared, no one could foresee their sinister thoughts and actions.

If the present session of the assembly is remembered in history, it will be for its ignominious conduct and the shame it has brought upon the state.

And if men like Bill Embry, Bill Byrne, Ted Dotson and George Harmon ever come before the people again to stand for election to public office, it can only be on a record steeped in infamy.