The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-02-05


state In certain Newspapers
From BE report Of Iasf FTidasj;4 proceedings.
Thejoiut resolution directing the pub
Hcation in the Richmond Enquirer of
certain laws of general character and
importance, to be indicated by the
Speaker, upon the terms proposed by
Messrs. Smith q Son, editors of the
Enquirer, heretofore noticed, came up.
l.. Mr.. Straughan moved a substitute
for the bill, directing the printing Of
said laws by the public printer in the
I form and on the same paper with that
/ now used by the public printer in
printing the bills and journals of the
House. l1-z
! Mr.. Straughan compared the two
forms OF publishing the laws referred
| to-Ihe convenience, clearness, and ac-
curacy of that by the public printer,
! and the ephemeraI, incorrect, and un-
reliable character of the newspaper
publication, mixed up as the laws
would be, with advertisements, stories,
miscellany, politics, and what not. In
this latter they would not be preserved,
,-aud would be of no value in a legal
sense.
Mr.. Straughan called for the reading
of letter from G. H. Wynne, of the
Times, in which he said there WAS an
offer TO do the work cheaper than under
the terms with Smith & Son. He did
not call for the reading because he could
in any event approve the newspaper
form for the publication of the laws,
but because he desired that if done in
that manner the press generally should
have chance to bid for it, and he was
in favor OF giving il TO the lowest bid
der, provided he was a respectable and
reliable publisher.
Mr.. Wynne's letter was read, in
which he offered his paper for the pub
lication of the laws without charge,
nd n rl1 TsNn
the laws in type.
Mr.. Patterson called for the reading
of comparative table, showing the
cost to the State of publishing the lays
in the form proposed by Mr.. Stra1g-
han and in that proposed by the editors
three or four thousand dollars in favor
OF the Enquirer PROJECT. Mr.. Patterson
supported this latter mode of publica-
ton, and would vote at once in favor
of contracting with MesSrs- Smith &
Son. They had been the first to offer the
plan, and it was cheap, and would be
ofgreat benefit to the people, and there
fore he hoped it would pass
Mr.. Lee sent to the clerk, to be read,
letter from the editors of the Wing
expressing desire 10 be permitted 10
bid for the job if a newspaper was to
be the medium of the publication of
the general laws referred to. The let
ter assured the legislators that the cir
culation of the Wing was larger than
that of any other paper in the city, and
would give the laws a more thorough
distribution than could be obtained
through any other newspaper medium.
Mr.. Garnet very earnestly depreca-
ted the publication of laws in a news
paper as authority. Newspapers We're
too unreliable in matters of accuracy.
Who would read the proOf-sheets, who
mail the papers, &c? He called atten-
ton to the famous supplement" of the
Convention of 1850, which had caused a
discussion of week in the convention,
and then proved a failure. The scheme
was one to circulate newspapers, and
he hoped it would be rejected.
Mr. kellam earnestly sustained the
bill People wanted the principal laws
published promptly. he was against
submitting the work to the lowest bid
der. Hunnicutt, whose sheet was sus-
tanned by Northern capital, might be
the lowest bidder, and the State would
have to circulate his paper.
Mr.. Straughan then withdrew his
amendment, and Mr. GaTnettt moved
that the bill be dismissed.
Mr.. Goode opposed the motion. The
proposition was the simple one of pub
fishing from day TO day, as they were
passed, certain general laws for the in
formation of the people, at low price
"a trif1ing cost Difficulty had arisen
had not been promptly sent into the
country. The Honse had given a de- !
cided vote in favor of Messrs- Smith *
Co. sproPosition when the subject was
last up, and he had heard no reason
why il should change its decison now
Mr.. Davis contended that at no time, /
and especially now, should money be |
spent unless il was certainly spent for /
the public benefit. He did not think |
the proposed expenditures would be. |
He alluded to the difficulties of COM
municating through post-offices now
since they were SO few-and to the very
few subscribers to newspapers in the I
country. The people would not see the /
laws-at least three fourths would not /
see them until they saw them regular /
ly Published in the session acts on /
court day. He was satisfied If these /
laws were published in a newspaper
they would not be of any use. The 1
papers would only be used as wrapping 4
paper. 5.t-...t -l-o. 100
Mr.. Dickinson could only see one
good TO come from the bill for printing !
these laws in newspaper-that good I
the newspaper selected as the medium. /.
1t was ths wisest, most substantial, and I
certain mode OF increasing the circula-
ton of a newspaper he had ever heard 4
of, He did not see the necessity Of this /
publication, and what sort of authors 4
- WOa44 &c a 4dh pADA4sASO q news
paper, SO uncertain. so liable to errors 4
and mistakes2 There could be no suf- 1
fering for the want of this precarious /
mode of deciding what is law. The /
regular and authorized publication of /
the laws wonld be out in sixty days I
after the adjournment, and there would 4
be no suffering in that interval. There I
would be public benefit in waiting for /
this, and no good in publishing this /
newspaper version, which would in 4
volve an expense with no correspond 1
ing advantage.
The question on dismissing the bill /
was carried in the affirmatiye-ayes, Il;
noes, 81
RECOSsTRUCrIoy