nor is there any way for us to know the "standard" of the nation at large, but we think the evidence clearly established that the contents of the magazines in question are not compatible with the contemporary community standards in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.[1]
We know not what the United States Supreme Court may hold as to these magazines, or the validity of Act 261. Let it here be said that, if a firm and clear guideline had been established, we would certainly follow it, for we recognize that the rulings of the United States Supreme Court are controlling, and, in conformity to the legal process, must be adhered to. But, as previously pointed out, we find no definite determination by a court majority that a "national standard" shall apply.
Appellants contend that the injunction granted by the Chancellor is clearly illegal in that it bans future issues of the magazines. The Attorney General concedes that the dissemination of future issues of a publication may not be enjoined simply because its past issues have been found to be offensive. But we, like the Attorney General, do not find that the injunction operates to that extent. The decree clearly provides that the particular issues of the pertinent magazines (introduced into evidence) shall not be sold, but it does not enjoin future issues. The court simply finds that future distribution or sale of future issues of the magazines will be enjoined upon a showing that such magazines are obscene. This means, of course, that a hearing (or trial) would be held before any order was rendered. Actually, the trial court would have the authority, upon proper complaint being made, to hold such a hearing, irrespective of whether reference was made to future issues in the present decree.
We do not agree with appellants that Act 261, as here applied, violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, as abridg-
- ↑ The State's witnesses were Reverend J. W. Watson, Pastor of Lakeside Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, Carl Welch, a business leader of the city, B. E. Whitmore, County School Superintendent of Schools, Reverend Pirtle, Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, Arthur C. Hendrix, Assistant Probation Officer of Jefferson County, and Norman Young, Chief of Police of the City of Pine Bluff.
