The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-02-29

pressure of important matters that should
really begrudge the space which is una
voidably devoted to this subject. Secure
in our own perfect consciousness of right
and the conviction that time Will bring
with it its irreversible facts and figures,
to demonstrate that the action of the
Democratic and Conservative men,
been guided by a knowledge of what
was best, and will save thousands and
tens of thousands of dollars TO the taxpayers,
we might patiently await the popular
verdict which will necessarily follow such
a record-but our silence while others
have so much to say, might be construed
into an affectation of indifference about
matter in which the public are more or
less concerned.
Below we have given a number Of ex-
tracts from our press contemporaries, each
speaking frankly his own views from his
own standpoint. To them and to all
others, we repeat that while the proprie-
tors of THE CLARION will maintain the
exclusive right to decide for themselves
all matters pertaining to their own bust
ness, and to employ their own labor,
capital and material in whatever legiti-
mate work they (being the sole ju 'ges)
H. L.
ever to enter into any arrangement which
would by remotest implication commit
them against using their utmost efforts
to repeal law which they had denounced
as an extortion, and to demand in the
name of the taxpayers an abandonment
of the abuses which had been
practiced under it. How far we may
have been instrumental in bringing others
to a sense of the injustice of the law and
of its abuses, and in achieving a conside-
rable reform in at least one branch of
the public business, we will leave for
those 10 say who have had full knowledge
of the course of our journal from the
meeting of the Legislature to the present
hour, and of our personal efforts and I'M
reserved representations outside of it.
This we will repeat for the benefit of all
whom it may concern:
l. That we are as uncomprOmlsingly
pledged to achieve reduction of the ex-
penses in the printing department as when
we first directed public attention to the
matter.
2. That there is not wealth enough in
all the mines of precious metals and
priceless gems to swerve us single hairs
breadth from the line of reform which we
have marked out, and have unfalteringly
pursued on this subject; and that in
public and in private, we have held but
one language.
8. That no consideration OF individual
gain can by any possibility ever interfere
with our advocacy of measures which we
have shown that the rights of the tax
payers imperiously demanded.
4. Assuming, then, that the Demo-
cratic and Conservative members of the
Legislature have steadily embraced every
that looked to reduction of
the printing rates to fair standard-that
they intend to persist in this course with
out variableness or shadow of turning
that THE CLARION has connected
itself with no plan, arrange
ment, contract, or "bargain" in
conflict with this Reformatory move
ment-we would ask how in the name of
reason and justice have its proprietors
entitled themselves to censure even ON
the hypothesis against which the angry
invectives of some of our contemporaries
have been launched? To those who
may assume that no newspaper office can
perform work in its line for the State or
public, while laws which were passed by
the Radicals, are operative, and preserve
its integrity-or who may assume that it
is a crime to perform the whole or any
part of service or the whole or any part
government while in such hands-the
door of argument is closed. If such a
rule is to be enforced, the Democratic
journals that have been doing the whole
Or any part of the county and municipal
printing and advertising under local
Radical administrations, are at fault. |
Our Conservative members of the Legis
Iature who are performing faithful service
and are drawing their per diem under
existing extravagant laws, are at fault. |
All the Democratic Cor Conservative |
District or County officials who have
been elected by the people and are draw
ing their compensation under Radical |
laws, are at fault. A new leaf must be |
turned and new start must be taken on |
some undiscovered route tor wrestling the |
business of the State and county govern
nents from the opposition, if this rule
is TO be applied.
This much we have said asa preface to the
extracts from some of our ablest |
and most highly respected cotemporaries.
Others have spoken evidently under mis-
"more in the sorrow than
anger" spirit. Not having been
by malice afOrethought, nor
with motive to injure, they are accesi-
Die to reason, and to them we would say
. strike, but heari'
From the Kinds county Gazette.
We do not svmpathize with any of the /