Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-03-17
a coodpropositiop.

Tered Dy Mr.. Stevens 10 prOflue ny u"
for the publication of synopsis Of all the
general laws, and statement of the re-
ceipts and expenditures of the State, IN
the public newspapers
There are many strong reasons IN Ia
vor of such law, and we are not aware
of any sound objection that can be urged
against it. Information should not be
kept from the people in regard to the
laws to which they are held responsible !;
and no better means can be provided of
ditfusing knowledge of the laws than
through the public prints. For the good
to be accomplished the expense would be
deemed matter Of slight consideration.
From the fact that the Legislature is now
to meet but once in two years, Except
in case of emergency and the great
changes being brought about by the new
Constitution, the necessity of the law
must appear evident to all. We earnest
ly hope that it will pass, being convinced
that it will meet the appreciation of the
people, to whom it will be service to be
kept advised of the credit of the State by
knowledge of the receipts and expendi-
lures. Let the Press urge the matter
upon the Legislature.-Martins6urg Re
PUBLICAN
We hope the Legislature may cheer
fully ADOPT the resolution offered by Mr..
Stevens. Ii is demanded by every con-
sideration of ect 2nomy, equity and justice.
The Legislature OF our Safe has been too
much a sealed boob the people kept
in the most profound ignt2 rance until the
tax-gatherer has opened their vision
Those who are to foot the bill, have the
right to know its specifications. Let the
people be enlightened on the subject, and
it will tend greatly to check extravaganza
and folly, which has too often been pre-
valent in our Legislative councils.-SpirI
Of Jefferson.
We are glad that the resolution of Mr..
Stevens meets with such general appro-
kation. 1t is but carrying out principle
that we have always advocated. We
have urged it frequently through our
columns, and it is needless to say it
meets our most unqualified appreciation
The old County Court was a legislative
body on small scale, and we have al
ways thought one of the strongest obiec-
tons to the manner in which they dis
charged their duties, was founded in the
fact that they withheld from the public
generally what they did. The court made
many appropriations of money that would
never have been repeated if the tax pay
ers could have been acquainted with the
objects for which their money was squan-
dered. We hope Mr.. Stevens resolution
will pass.-Lewis6urg Chronicle.
We copy the above for the purpose of
adding our opinion in favor of the effica-
cy of the proposed law, We believe that
ignorance is considered no excuse for
violation of the laws. and as no person
can be supposed to know them by intui-
ton, does itnot become the duty Of the
Legislature to provide for their general
dissemination among the people. 1t is
also their duty to adopt the cheapest and
most effectual method of placing the laws
before the citizens of the State; and we
hazard The opinion that is will be found
in the newspapers. Let all laws of a
general character be published in one or
two papers in each county containing
newspapers, and all local laws published
in the vicinity affected thereby, and the
people universally becoming acquainted
with their provisions. would avoid vast
deal of unnecessary litigation, saving the
State, as we'll as her citizens, no incon-
siderable amount annually. We conceive
that the Legislature of Virginia owes the
passage of this law to her citizens.