New-York tribune., 1869-03-17

nandern Chief shall determine in the aggregate not 70
exceed 25oC Inc AdjutanGeneral thereafter TO auat
charged from the service Of the United States Army or
treinen shail not be subject to military duty
The following is the report of the minority of the
Committee on Judiciary, TO whom was referred the
bill providing for the publication of q sworn state
ment in each Issue of the newspapers of this State Of
the actual circulation of the preceding issue;
A law Of such sweeping nature the one proposed,
should only DO based upon an eXigent public demand,
arising from abuses defects in the old system, ana
there is no evidence before your Committee TO induce 1t
rary it clearly appears that the publication Of newspa
pers should be cassed with all other descriptions Of
supply They who produce the best article and please
the public by q conformity, to the essentials Of
plumber Of papers in the same manner, as
other inducements abcept the title and general char
OF advertising and upon such they will bestow a liberal
patronage. Advertisers have neither called for
they need the protection which the proposed law pre-
tends to guarantee. Primarily they WIN advertise in that
paper which, In their opinion reaches the majority OF
h6r customers and the circulation of one paper may in
the aggregate be greater than that Of another and yet
not reach the class they desire to affect so well as one Of
lesser circulation Immediately reaching their
suency. In addition 10 this consideration, it is well
understood that most men are influenced In the be-
sOnal considerations, or political preferences
aud as general rule business men patronize, they
should, all tho papers published IN their immediate vc
ity, upon such terms mutually agreeable to the
parties This is especially true of the cities and larger
towns Of the interior OF the State Tho character Of tho
circulation OF different newspapers IS much matter
OF public noorely as the extent OF the business Of dry
goods dealer or that of manufactures Of shoes other
BRANCHES Of Wdn5tIy and persons who desire to make
general circulation basis for their patronage, can read
y ascertain which paper is entitled 10 their support upon
this ground IL would scarcely be deemed necessary
polite for the conductors Of other branches OF business
publish each morning statement Of their trans
actions the day previous, and we can readily see
tnat in the passage Of the proposed law should Yru
ally cast n stigma the fair fame Of honorable
body OF the community, Implying that publishers alono
10 be disbeevcd as TO the statements made over
their counters, and must be placed under the obligation
Of oath 10 protect their patrons from imposition We
submit that this Is ust and unwarrautable discrm
nation lt viii readily bo that the proposed law
might DC used by malicious persons substantially 10
abdge the freedom or the press and that 10 would al
most inevitably lead " a series n vexaous and annoy
ing law SUITS which would confer benefit upon society
at large, while needless expense aud trouble
would bo imposed alike upon tho public aud
law, I'm the nature of the case, would be evaded by c
tiuOus Issues and grautOus circulation or circulation
In distant parts not affecting the locality OF the adyer
user and II would breed ryaes and JealOuses between
publishers, which would only be TunOus 10 them, with
comforting any corresponding benefit upon the
antdemocfatc The censorship OF the Press and the I'M
position or unnecessary restrictions. cnactmcnts calc
lated 10 restrain It's freedom relic OF despOsm which
should hnd 40 advocates among free ana enlightened
people, and II Ia matter OF surprise that such measure
should emanatc from profcssed reformer, that It
should serious consideration Mt the hands OF In
tegent legislators We therefore recommend that the
bin be rejected, and the business Of publishing neWspa
pcrs be left where all other branches Of industry arc
wisely left 10 the iulcNble laws which govern trade
wit h0ut beng forced into the sraghtackct Of
aud unjust statute. We therefore recommend that the
bill pudCr consideration be rejected,