The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-02-17
Publication Of the Laws,

A special committee Of the Senate of
Maryland have under consideration tho
propristy d repealiug the act requiring
the publication Of the general laws of
the State, in the newspapers, With as
much propriety might they consider the
subject Of refusing to print the laws at
all. Il Is q law maxim, that ignorance
If the Law Is no excuse for crime, or for
iss iefFaoliou. Il is the duty of every
citizen 70 obey the law, and to square
bis conduct by it. But how shall he
do that, unless he knows what the law
Isl Aad how shall he acquaint him
self with the law unless il be published?
The newspaper is the popular medium
of communication with the public II
is circulated far and wide among the
people, and is the cheapest aud most
appropriate vehicle for the lissemiua-
tion Of information. When the laws
are Published in Il is popular form,
every one may know what the law is !;
but wheE they are not so published, ii
requires a five or ten dollar fee to some
attorney, to learn the law upon any par
ticular subject If the mover Of this
measure intended il for buncombe,
let him have the benefit Of his inten,
tons. Let the people be told that he
has attempted to deprive them Of in
formation which is vital to their best
interests That he seeks to rob them Of
Alright which is theirs by every cousid
Grafton Of justice and propriety. What
would be thought Of a body Of Legisla.
tors, who, after enacting laws. should
refuse toprint them at all? How much
better for the people is it, to print the
laws in book form onlI, and distribute
them to only few, where the people
cannotsee them? II is virtually saying
to them-ssyou shall not know what the
law is, without putting your fingers into
your pocketbooks, and drawing forth Z
five dollar or a ten dollar BILL" 1t j.
virtually saying that few men only
shall have the law, or know what it is
and that it shall be their exclusive
privilege to dispense this costly com
modify to the rest.
The Kent Meies, advertiug to thi.
nubject. says:
This movement no doubt originated from tn,
apparently large expenditure for puhiishin,
the laws OF 1855; but it should be remembered
thst the laws Of that session were very volumi
nous, embracing the corporation act and othe
lengthy documents, and there is no probability
that the expense Of publishing will ever be 4
great again. All efforts on the part Of legis
istors 70 enrtail the public expenditures ar
iaudahlc when directed in a proper channel
and mona more heartily commend their effor,
nAn me press but the difficulty is, that mos
persoGs when commencing to economic begi
tcreng, and are apt to dispense with thatwhicl
mot more real value than many things in whicl
they still indulge. The effect OF the propose
measure would be to keep the people ia irpo
rance In regard to the general lerislation 4
the state; and we cannot think that the inte
ligent gentlemen who compose our preseu
Legislature can so far forget their duty 1
usH constituents as 10 deprive them Of IA
SAiy means Of becoming acquainted with m
laws which are enacted for their government
and 70 which they are required to rende
obedience. The people have not asked to b
oePrized OF this privilege, and they will hol
usr representatives TO a strict account If the
pFesane thus to impose upon their credulity
There was, before the enactment Of the pre-,
ent law, universal and very Just compiaif
"a the part OF the masses, whose means an
cpportanities did not permit them 10 see n
law BOOKS, that they were kept in state {
comparative Ignorance in respect to the leri
iation Of the State, while at the same time the
we're expected to to know the Law and CON 81
WITH ~ provisions. II ignorance Of The Law
would pc received as a sufficient excuse for Il
commission Of crime, ii might be Justly assume
that II IL not important that the people shou
- made acquainted with them, but since Ii
NOS the case, and all are held alike amen
pie, u u the duty Of the Legislature to pla
me laws before the people in the most publ
nanner possible; and it Is admitted by all ID
9ere 10 no way in which this can bedone
N ensctuaily as By their publication in the new
---------<-szz> u