The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-06-07
50 50

And an examination of the accounts filed
with cases in courts show that the legal
rates prescribed in 1875 were generally ig-
lQred, and in some instances bills were made
out at 81 so per square for first lnser-
ton, and IS cents per square for each sUbse
q lent insertion, and the advertisements dis
played and spread out, SO as to make as
many squares, or inches, as possible. While,
therefore, the Legislature of 1875 made a
show of retrencbment by reducing the rates
of legal advertising the law was taken adj
vantage of, as it is liable to be under any
administration, unless there is some def
mite understanding as to what amount of
matter shall constitute a square. In the
publication of land sales, fifteen cents is al
lowed for each subdivision, and that,
though not adequate compensation, has GER
tainly the merit of being definite and uni
form; so that the sheriff of Lauderdale and
the sheriff of Kinds pay alike for such pub
| locations. And so It is with other legal adj
vertisements. three square trustees sale,
containing say 225 words Cor IS words to the
square) should not cost any more in one pa
per than in another, although journals usu-
ally estimate the value of their space by To-
cality and circulation. In Mississippi there
is not 50 much difference in either particu-
lar, as to render uniformity in rate impracti-
cable or unjust to any publisher.
These are substantially the views present
ted to Senator Morgan, and he seemed to ac-
cept them as the solution of the subject IN
| the hands of the committee. A bill was,
| however. preferred by the committee, pro-
viding that the compensation should be so
| much per lC0rd, or so much per hundred ip0rds
and this idea, then feared for the first time
was suggested by yourself, as was also
| the rate which Senators Fewell and Nor
| gan advocated one-cent a word for the first
/ insertion, and half cent a word for each
! subsequent insertion. L happened IN the
! Senate chamber the morning the bill came
ND. It provoked warm discussion-the
/ Senators admitting that it was one subject
/ on which they were not more learned than
/ their fellows, but the tenor of the speeches
! indicated no desire to do injustice to the
press. but rather determination to avoid
any action that might be construed into an
| increase of rates. The bill under considera-
ton left the amount blank, and was asked
! by Senator REYNOLDS what would be equiv
aient, per word, to the rates had indicated
! to Senator Morgan. / made the calculation
hurriedly in my mind and told him that
| 14cts. per word for the first insertion, and
| set for each subsequent insertion would
practically restore the law of 1887, and
! would make it satisfactory to all parties.
But these figures were not accepted by the
| senate, and the bill was about to be indefi-
niteIy postponed, upon q motion made by
! Senator Foote, when | remarked to Senator
| Feweu that l would rather accept his bill
| and your figures, than to let the law stand as
! Il was. and that l would 50 accept 1T in be-
| half of the Press Convention. In this may
| have transcribed my authority, and l had
not more than left the Senate Chamber nan sr
wnen ITIon conferring with Messrs. Har-
per, Blount, Guthrie and Meade, of the
House Printing Committee, all practical
| f;sbars rvere dissatisfied with the low rate
| fixed in the Senate bill; and the House, af
pro.rscted discussion a amended Ds w shs G f
The f;rst Insertion and r cents for each addi-
tional insertion, as at first proposed, and
as I still think would be fair and just com
pensation. The Senate would not concur IL
Ibis. and a conference committee was ap
pointed. This committee agreed TO the
House amendments, but the Senate rejected
the report of the committee. | then, the
next morning, requested Senator Foote
who was member of the committee, &c
move reconsideration ofthe motion to re