Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-03-04
THE PRESS AND THRLRGIsLATURE

There appears an irrepresSible conflict
between the press of the State and the
members Of the Legislature. This is
manifested in the Legislature by the
many questions of privilege to which
members speak, denouncing certain
papers, their assumed disregard Of the
influence of the press, and the many acts
passed or proposed in which any assist
ance to the newspapers is carefully
avoided. In this conflict the "Hons,"
will very likely get the worst of it.
Some of them are quite fond Of assert
ing that such and such papers have no
influence. This only exposes the minute
ness Of their caliber, for when one makes
that confession, he at oncea acknowledges
to oil sensible men the utmost stupidity,
his overweening self-esteem, and his
total unftness for the occupancy Of any
public position. When n says the
least of the papers has no influence, he
asserts what he does not himself be-
lieve, and when he votes to pass laws to
deprive them Of patronage, or Injuries
them, he directly attacks the best in
terest and main-stay of the State and
society. The press has an influence
everywhere, and justly. and should be
particularly regarded by all officers Of
the government. The conductors Of
journals are certainly as much interest
ed in the welfare Of the State as any Of
the members Of the Legislature, many Of
whom often pack their carpet-sack out
Of the State when their term of office
expires. To edit paper in the interest
Of the country, requires a constant study
and attention to every want, which is
not demanded in any other branch Of
life.
This constant study gives the editor a
for greater insight into the needs and
resources Of a country than one can
possess who is not compelled to pay
equal attention TO the subject. In study
ing the resources, the geography, poll
tics, society and laws Of the State, and
publishing the results of such obserya-
tons is almost the only manner by which
knowledge Of these subjects Is impaired,
and it is from knowledge thus obtained
that business, travel, and legislation are
founded. The press is far more atten-
tive to every interest and condition of
the State than are its legislators, and
all questions pertaining to the general
wants Of the people are more dispas-
.sionately and more ably discussed in
the papers than in the Capitol. We can
say this without much vanity and self
praise, for we think the editorial pro-
fession will compare most favorably
with our Lawmakers or those Of any
class Of life. It is the duty of the press
to guard every interest Of those it rep
resents, and to discuss all political ques-
tons and when, therefore, it speaks
upon any subject pertaining to such
matters, its voice should be listened to
and its directions needed. An editor
may of course err, and have "crotchety'
opinions, but he is not as liable to error
as others, and is seldom actuated by
other motives than the public good.
Our legislators too often regard o
newspaper article IS instigated by some
interest or personal love or spite,
when really it was demanded only BY
the public good and the individual or
individuals never thought Of. Thinking
so, they have taken ~offense, and in turn
have attempted to injure whatthey have
their enemy. Not only are they
mistaken, but their course mat
tempting to injure the press, is very un-
generous and unpatriotic. Instead Of
depriving the press Of patronage the
should aid it in every. way
by paying good pricesfor work done and
requiring as much work rs circumstan-
ces would permit. Our State would be
now in a most miserable condition, I'M
known and almost u%npeopled, were it
not for its local papers, and the indus
and ability with which they are con-
The Nevada papers, are the
chief instigators Of progress, and the
conservers of society in the State. are
in their circulation and patron
age, and should be encouraged in every
possible by the officers of the
even to granting direct aid
+ found necessary, from the public
reasury.-Reese Riper RepeiHe. slsss hEol