The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-11
regi.ls.ive proesedings publeation of the Laws


By the synopsis which we give, it will b.
seen that our Senator and Representatives arr
taking an active and prominent stand in tb'
work of legislation. This is gratifying. W.
have 90 doubt of their capabiIity Of doins
credit to themselves, and honor to their con
stituents.
IT. occasionally, we shall find ourselves
obliged to differ from either of them, it will be
on principle, and with no abatement of per
sonal respect. We shall, probably. not often
feel compelled to differ from our esteemed
Representatives, bat just now. we feel obliged
to dissent from q proposition introduced by
our Representative, Mr.. Stedman. 1t will be
seen that he has given notice "of bill giving
the power of selecting the laws to be publish.
ed by the local press throughout the State, to
the Auditor, Probate Judge, and Prosecuting
Attorney"
From this proposition, we dissent entirely.
It is an insaIt to the intelligence of the pee
pie, to select three censors in each county, to
Say what laws are important, or most import
ant for the people to read, and what are not
It is fact that laws thus selected, are pot
always, if, indeed. they are often selected with
with due discrimination-fo comparatively mn
important laws ara sometimes selected, and
the more important omitted-besides in some
Counties, q few are selected, and in some,
many.
We contend that uniformity should be the
rule--if it is important for the people to be
posted, and to become well informed in regard
to any of the general laws, bearing upon their
rights, interests or liberties, it is important
that they should have an opportunity to be-
come so in regard to all such laws. The pol
icy of hiding part of the general laws from
public view, and publishing Others, is inde-
iensible.
We remember to have read something about
the laws of Draco-if our recollection is not
at fault, these laws were so far beyond the
reach of the people, that they could not read
them. and yet they sOere erpected to obey them,
or SUFFER THE PENALTIES OF DTseBEBIEEoEl
We win not assume that it is important to
to give newspaper publicity to the laws at all,
but we do say, that in our judgment, if any
are published, all should be. (of general ma.
ture.) A. local County censorship, is one Of
odious distinctions, and the partial publishing
Of the laws, under such an arrangement is not
worth the expense.
The Board of State officers designated. is
the proper one-not to select but to superin-
tend the publication of all the general laws.
Were we member Of the Legislature, we
shonld. by far, give the preference TO the bill,
suggested by Mr.. Hills. of Medina, @to pro
vide for the better distribution of the laws of
general nature, and to repeal all laws for their
publication in newspapers" the one pro-
posed by Mr.. Stedman, and if either prevails.
we hope it will be that of Mr.. Hills.
If the easy access to the laws, which news
paper publication gives, is taken away and
some other mode of quite general diffusion is
adopted, so that to every "iuquiring mind,
the laws may be rendered accessible, it may
may be sufficient.
If tits a clearly ascertained fact that the
people neither need. nor wish the newspaper
publication Of the laws. by all means repsa
the law.
We well know that motive of economy
lies at the bottom Of the movements of Messrs
Stedman and Hills-the object and desire Ii
TO save expeuse-to tighten the burden OF
taxarion. This is well.
It is, howerer, singular fact. that nearly
every public fnnctionary. who wishes to react
greater economy in public expenditures, new
or thinks Of remitting any portion of bis own
salary or fees-but as genersi rule, the
newspaper press. and especially the local press
come in for share Of attention in all such
cases. There ia nervous fear lest the press
should reap undue patronage. Yet the power
and influence of the press are always invoked
by those, who. themselves. wish to enjoy the
advantages and patronage of public station
--but having mounted to the place of their
ambition, the a ladder falls with i" kick
but the created have always been prone to
forget the creator.
For ourselves, We ask not the publication oi
the laws in newspapers on the score of pat
ronage to the press-we ask not that the peo
pie should be taxed for our benefit.
If our columns are needed for the public
benefit, we ask for their use q fair compensa
ton, nothing more If they are not needed
in this behalf We are quite content.
IF gentlemen. who are selected for the pub
lic service in the capacity of Probate Judges
Auditors, Prosecuting Attorneys or Legisla
tors. are entitled to fair compensation, so il
tie newspaper when its columns are callet
into official service. This everlasting pitch
ing into the press has become intolerabl
land it is to be hoped that the local pres
will throw itself upon its dignity, and asser
is self-respect. Let it protect the true in
terests Of the people, carefully. faithfully, an
thus it will deserve, and it will have the conf
dence Of the people-but let it never cring
for patronage TO officials, whom its efticienc
has mainly created.
If the mere saving of expense is Hthe Chi
end OF man" the only zone thing needful' in th
world. the administration of public affair
can, in all departments he greatly simpl
asd The services Of legislators may b