The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1873-02-27
The state in the Publishing Bus
iaAnlu
From the Gallatin Examiner

From the Gallatin Examiner
We have before us q Memorial to
the Legislature, signed principally by
the lawyers in Tennessee praying that
the Stat. subscribe for $50 complete
sets Of the decisions Of the Supreme
Court prior to 1861, at 80 per volume,
at q cost of $55,3j0. 1t is alleged
that private parties cannot undertake
their republication without loss, I'm
less encouraged by n State subscrlp
ton that it is important that the Bar
and the bench should be in possession
of the decisions that litigation would
he lcssencd if the lawyers had them
and knew that the law was so that
they could correctly advise their eli
ents, &c, &c.,
Now all this seems fair enough at
first blush, and we would be glad to
know that every lawyer had 4 copy OF
them in his library. We have no
doub: that legal matters would work
along smoother, but is it a matter that
the State has anything to do with, to
the extent of c%mbarking in the pub
fishing business in order that third
parties may buy their books the cheap
err Could not a plea equally as plausi,
bic be urged hat the correct, intelli'
gent practice Of Medicine va ofthe
| highest importance to the people OF
the State; that there was daily new
discoveries in the various branches OF
Pathology, Anatomy, Physiology
Therapeutics. Chemisty ,s&c., and that
there were hundreds Of members OF the
Medical profession who were unable to
supply themselves with a full library
unless the State would come forward
and aid in the publication Of those
works? And could not equally as pc,
tent reasons be urged for the encour,
ugeNent Of others whose means were
not Sufficient to equip .hem with al
they wished to perfect and enlarge
their business and usefulness? Coulo
not the printing Offices of Tennessee
lay claim to the States beniicencc bl
alleging that new and better presses
type, and the thousands Of cunning ap
pIianccs needed in "the art preserva
tive OF all arts would be OF great pub
lie, as well as private benefit?
These considerations will show thai
there are two sides to the question
That there are strong reasons in favor
of the Importance Of having these re-
ports is %undoubtcd, but that the State
has any business going into the pub.
fishing line that private parties may
he enabled to buy the cheaper, is ques
tional'le. AS y general rule if a book
is worth having; if its publication is
so important and necessary, the de
mand should, and would carry il
through safely, If n low price vii
not publish Il work, 4 higher will. /
the State needs the work, let her buy
them as she does volumes for her Ii
5rary. What we want is that oul
good old State shall not be put forward
to rake the chestnuts out Of the fire
that others may not burn their fingers
Now from q printers point of view
it seems that there is a cat" hid in
this neal The dear Old State is sooth.
ingly asked to buy $50 sets, at 81:
each, costing $5j,35O, and is told that
"by accepting this proposition, the
State will get the books very nearly
one-haII less than cost, and the pub
fishers can only reimburse themselves
by selling "A large number to the pro.
Icssion at five dollars per volume"
Well, We would like to know where
the profit Of The publishers lies ? Ii the
State receives her books al Every
nearly one half less than cost then
they cost the publishers little over
six dollars per volume, and they ex-
pcct to reimburse themselves 10y sell.
Ing 4 large number to the profession
at five dollars per volume" This is Il
little "too thin The greater the
sales to the "profcssion,' the deeper
they will get in the mud.
There is q screw loose about here
and there had better be some more
cyphering done.