Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-03-15

A few rcformers in Congress OF
the same kidney OF those advo-
Gates Of fictitious economy in the
Iowa Legislature who arc striking
at the intelligence Of the people by
depriving them Of the knowledge
of the laws gained by their publica-
ton in the newspapers, are making
similar 'cffort,in regard to the pub
LEGATION of the laws OF Congress.
The subject came upa few days
since during the debate on the de-
ticiency appropriation bill. Cole
of California, sought to inject into
the bill a clause repeating all laws
requiring the publication of laws
and treaties in the newspapers. In
the debate which cnsued the changes
were rung Oh the same old argu-
ments, worn ;tlrcadbarc in our
Legislature; that very few people
take the papers, and fewer read the
laws. The argument has more
force with regard to the publication
of the laws of Congress than that
of our State cnactments, but Sena-
tor Wright Of Iowa, in few
remarks which he made, on the
proposition demonstrated the weak
ness of all arguments against in
formation to the s.pcoplc. We ap-
pend portion Off his speech.
1t has been suggested that llas,a. very,
small per. gents of, the people take the
papers in which these laws may be pub
lished 1t has been suggested also that a
very small per cent. of.-those who takes
the papers, read the laws l might con
ccdc the truth of that proposition, and
still there would le but little advance
made in the argument, for it is the dis
cussion that is invited and that we have
upon the laws which / regard as the
valuable feature growing ont Of the pub
LEGATION of the laws in newspapers. That
is to say, though but a small per cent. of
the people may read the laws as publish
ed, ard but Il small per cent. may take
the papers in which the laws may be
published, the laws being thus published,
in newspapers in the localities where they
are thus published, newspapers the coun-
try over are thus led to see what the
laws are, to discuss them, and thus get
them before the people.
1t is a very trite saying to say here
that the strength, the glory, the power,
the future of tins nation, is bottomcd
upon the intelligence Of the people; bot
toned upon their information with re-
ference to the hws''that govern them.
You may say rs often as you please that
these laws are not read We have that
opinion because being here and seeing
the laws as they are passed, and taking
part in them, we do not read them.
know that in my own State the laws are
thus published in the newspapers and the
impression prevails on the part Of some
persons there that they are not read by the
people. Nothing can be Il greater mistake;
and the consequence is that ut this scs-
sion you find petitions coming here from
the people, petitions that never would
have come with reference to these laws
but for the fact that they were published
in the newspapers and thus called TO
their attention.
My thought in this connection is this:
that instead of shutting out the light, we
should give the people light with re-
ference to tie laws; and can see no
good reason why this small expenditure
comparatively, for it is comparatively a
very small expenditure, should be denied.
We expcnd hundreds Of thousands of
dollars in this appropriation bill and
other appropriation bills upon objects and
subjects that arc not half, nor quarter so
worthy as this, and we pass them with
out q thought.
But here when it is proposed that We
shall continue the publication Of these
laws in certain papers to be designated,
il is said that it will cost $4,000. What
of it.? The laws that are published are
as understand, the general laws; not
the special laws; nor would have the
special laws thus published; but all gen
eral laws ought to go into at least two
papers in every State of this Union, and
thus have the discussion invited and the
people know what the laws are.