Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-02-19
THE STATE IN THE PUBLISHING
RTTSINE6S
BUSINESS.
E-n.nn al,n Gala IL, Ernnninnr
From tle UaIIaJln Examiner.

From the Gali6tln Examiner.
We have before us a memorial to the
Legislature, signed principally by the law
yers in Tennessee, praying that the State
subscribe for $50 complete sets of the de-
cisions of the Supreme Court prior to 1861,
at So per volume, at a cost of So, $50. 1t
is alleged that private parties cannot under
take their republication without loss, un-
less encouraged by a State subscription;
that it is important that the bar and the
bench should be in possession of the de-
cisions; that litigation would be lessened
If the lawyers had them and knew what the
law was, so that they could correctly advise
their clients, etc, etc.
Now all this seems fair enough at first
blush, and we would be glad to know that
every lawyer had copy Of them in his Ii
braIy. We have no doubt that legal mat
tiers would work along smoother, but is it
matter that the State has anything TO do
with, to the extent of embarking in the pub
fishing business in order that third parties
may bry their books the cheaper? Could
not a pea equally as plausible be urged
that the correct, intelligent practice of med
icine was of the highest importance TO the
people of the State; that there were daily
new discoveries in the various branches of
Pathology, Anatomy, Physiology, etc, and
that there were hundreds of men,
bers 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 potent
reasons be urged for the announcement of
others whose means were not sufficient to
equip them with all they wished to perfect
ana enlarge their business and usefulness?
Could rot the printing offices of Tennessee
lay m to the States beI eie3nce by alss
leging that new and better presses, type and
the thousands of cunning appliances needed
in "the art preventative of all arts," would
be of great public, as well as private ben
eft?
These considerations will show that there
are two sides TO the question. That there
are strong reasons in favor of the import
ance OF having these reports is Hndoubted,
but that the State has any business going
into the publishing line that private parties
may be enabled to buy the cheaper, is ques-
tionable. AS a general rule if book is
worth having; if its publication is so i'm
pOrtant and necessary, the demand should,
and would carry it through safely. If a
low price will not publish a work, a higher
will. If the State needs the work, let her
buy them as she does volumes for her IL
bTary. What We want is that our good old
State shall not be put forward to rake the
chestnuts out of the fire that others NAV
not burn their fingers.
Now from Printers point of view, it
seems that there is a scat" hid in this meal.
The dear old State is soothingly asked to
buy $50 sets, at $i2 each, costing S55, $50,
and is told that shy accepting this PROPOSE
ton, the State will get the books very near
ly one-half less than cost, and th publish
ers can only reimburse themselves by selling
a large number to the profession at five dol
lars per volume" HEt. TC
Well, we would like to know where the
profit of the publishers lies? If the State
receives her books at ''Uery nearly one-tdt
G5SS than cost" then they cost the publish
little over Six dollars per volume, and
they expect TO reimburse Il EN- selV by
selling large number 10 the profession at
fire dollars Per volume" This is a little
"too thin" The greater the sales to the
profession" the deeper they will get In
the mud.
RThere is screw loose about bere, and
there had better be some more cyphering
done.