The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-05-25

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THH FRxRDoH or THE PRnss.
-sThe Savannah RErunLfcAN dis
cnsses tho propricty Of creating the
0fice OF county printer and making Il
elective. Tho arguments presented
are to tho point, aud forciblc. II any
part Of tho public work may be done
BY persons chosen by tho people, at
prices regulated BY law, the printing
lAay also. The subject should be
brought before the Legislature, at
the next session, that the propriety
ofthis plan may be inquired into."--
Oregon (Holt county, Times, 10th.
We hope Il may. We would like
to Q the attention Of the press of
State directed 10 this matter, and al.
90 the attention of the people at large
and tho Legislature. We believe the
moro tho subject 10 Investigated, the
more apparent win become its pro-
priety.
Says tho Times. quoted above. "1f
any part Of the public work may be
done by persons chosen by the people,
at prices regulated by law, the prin-
ting may also.r or course II may.
Every paper issued in the progress of
. suit, has its rate specified by law.
II IL were not so. irregularity and In
Justice would result. An officer
might charge one man one price, and
another man another; some moderate,
some e~xtravagant, some xtortionate.
This Is precisely the condition into
which the prices Of the legal printing
has drifted, as noted by the varying
charges Of the country press through
out the State, some charging four Or
Eve times Ms much a. others for the
same work. Why has this species Of
legal work been made al exception |?
We have no other Interpretation ex-
cept that the lawyers, who generally
have the preponderating influence in
the Legislature, SO willed It for their
own benefit. by retaining the dispos-
al Of the legal printing In their own
hands, they very readily perceived
the relation II would create between
them and the press. and tho influence
and power thereby secured.
We base our argument in favor of
tho creation Of the Office Of official
printer, made elective by the people,
upon the ground that It is an essen
tial step towards securing a free and
untrammesd press, that will be tru-
ly devoted to the interests Of the
people.
The law requires q great deal Of le-
gal advertising to be done, such as
trustee sales, mortgage sales, orders
Of publication, administration noti-
ces, statements, &C., SC. This adver-
tising constitutes the most profitable
patronage known to the printer, and
without IL four-ffths Of the country
press would perish for want of sup
port. How is this "staff Of life" dis
pensed? Entirely by the favoritism,
the preferences or prejudices, person.
al and political, Of county officials,
and lawyers, who generally consti-
tute an ofice-seeking class. For
these through this channel to consult
their own interests, their hopes OF
preferment, their chances to obtain or
continue In Office. to have their short
comings and derelictions covered up,
&C., is rs natural as for water to run
down hill. OF course there are many
honorable exceptions. but we speak
Of tho general rule and the natural
tendency. How does this affect the
liberty and the purity of the press
the "bulwark of the liberties of q free
people3" Docs not every rejecting
mind discover here q powerful enemy
10 both? Whatever tends to place
the press in a state of dependcnce,--
and that too to the very classes that
most need criticism,-to subsidize
and corrupt it--rcacts with all its evil
influences on the people.
If the law would fix the rate for le.
gal advertising, establish the Office o.
official printer, and make him electiv,
by the people, leach township choos-
ing for itself,) it would at once worl
a change of front in the attitude o
the press. 1t would rely then on th'
whole people, in truth and reality,fo o
its support, and the ligament woul'
be cut that now binds it to the law
yers and county officials. 1t woul,
; breathe a freer and nobler air. 1
: would reach a degree of freedom an
usefulness and responsibility, impos
Y sible under the present corrupt subsi
. dy system.
Established OH q firmer and more hor
orable basis. and deriving its supper
: and honors from the mass of the pee
o pie, the editorial chair will be sougl
after and filed by ADLER and bette
: men, more competent to guide an
instruct the people.
Public opinion and political actio
are largely moulded by the press.
exercises a greater influence in shal
I ing the actions of men than is attain
! cd through any other channel. IIo
important, then, for the good Of I'll
people, that its utterances should l
!. the expression Of free and untran
ID meled thought
ID What say our brethren of the pre-
u to this proposed reform. Speak gu
A. Special Dispatch TO the Morning Herald.