Free Speech or Publisher's Prerogative?

The author of the opinion-page column "Reinforcing a Bad Civics Lesson in Texas," Oct. 8, gets carried away. The refusal of school newspapers to publish some articles is not an issue of First Amendment rights or prior restraint, nor is it due to incompetence by school administrators. How many editors print everything reporters and letter-writers submit regardless of the publisher's desires? Schools that refuse to permit certain articles are acting as all publishers do, whether or not we agree with their judgment. Publishers prevent the publication of articles in their newspapers; they do not prevent individuals from speaking out on their own. Editors and publishers should be responsible citizens, and that includes using judgment as to which articles to publish in their newspapers. R. Wojciechowski, Springfield, Va.

Letters are welcome. Only a selection can be published, subject to condensation, and none acknowledged. Please address them to "Readers Write," One Norway St., Boston, MA 02115.