The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-02-05
Aadress OF the COmmiEIee OF the
Press ASs"ciaGIOa TO the
MeG1~lagarO
To the HOnOpable, the Senate and the House

10 the HonOpGbls, the Senate and the House
of Representatives. of the State Of Aissis-
sippi:
The undersigned, committee repre-
senting the Press Association Of the state
of Mississippi, appointed with special
reference to this dury, respectfully repre-
sent TO your honorable bodies
That the Press of the State has ever
been free and untrammeled, both rs 10 It's
opinions and the material aid which has
been necessary for its existence. That II
is our desire that it should continue free,
and that it shou d draw its support from
a willing, not an unwilling, people. We
desire the assessment of NJ tax for the
support of the Press-On the contrary.
our wish is, that its support should be
voluntary and free.
To this end, we earnestly ask your
honorable bodies 10 repeal all laws and
parts of laws which compel any portion
of the people of the State to patronize
certain newspapers, and such newspapers
only, as may he named by the Boards OF
Supervisors of the different counties. We
contend that the Boards of Supervisors
may, with propriety, name the journals
which shall do the work and the adverti-
sing required for the counties, but we con-
tend, and very justly, in our judgment,
that they should not be granted the right
of saving what newspapers shall adyer-
tise tor A b. and c., VINO may be Exec
utors, Administrators and Guardians,
and who may wish to advertise for the es-
rates i'm their charge in such papers as
have the largest circulation among the
pc pie most largely interested in said es-
tates. Never, in the history Of this
State and people, has the Legislature at
tempted TO dictate to the people of the
State, in this behalf, until the Legisla
ture OF last year, and as the plan has
worked badly and proved troublesome
and unsatisfactory To all parties having
business in our Courts, we earnestly ask
the repeal Of said law, and ON the broad
and mprehensive ground that it tends
to build up a subsidiz d press IA press
supported through compulsory legislation,
and not through the free and unbought
will of the people.
The undersigned would also, and upon
the same grounds, demonstrate against the
passage OF any law for the appointment or
selection, by any authority, Of a ne Fspa-
per or newspapers, in the Judicial dis
tricts of the State in which only shall ap
pear publications emanating from the
courts of the State, which classes of no
tees have hitherto been under the control
only Of the parties interested, and who
have given them publicity in such jour
mails as would most surely reach the per
sons ar communities interested.
Trusting that your honorable bodies
Join with us in the wish that the Press Of
Mississippi may ever remain free and un-
trammeled, and in the future, rs in the
plst, be the buwark of the liberties Of the
people, we respectfully ask the passage OF
the accompanying bill and the lection OF
any and all bills which may have in view
the selection or appointment Of official
county or district printers or publishers
BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To
SEIZURE THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
SECTION /. BE 1t enacted Jy He Legis.
laturc Of the State Of Mississippi, That all
laws and parts of laws which authoriz, the
Boards OF Supervisors in the several
counties of this State 10 indicate or elect
newspapers in which legal publications
shall appear, be and the same are hereby
repealed.
SEC. 2. BE It further enacted, ETC., That
this act take effect and be in force from
and after its passage.
GEORGE w. HARPER,
Kinds County Gazette.
+. T. COOPER,
Meridian Gazette.
JOHN ARMSTRONG,
Vicksburg Herald.
X. WALPoLE,
Kosciusko Star.
w. j. ADAMS,
Enterprise Courier,