The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-02-11
Publication of the Laws.


That the laws, which all men are bound to
know and respect, ought to be published for
general information is proposition too plain
and lust to admit of serious debate. But their
publication should be freed from all faint of
partisanship Everybody, of whatever politi-
cal faith. is interested, and any distinction is
unfair. illiberal and bigoted. 1t does not mat
ter that the same course was adopted by the
party in opposition at any previous time.
Such an argument is utterly puerile. If the
fact were so it only shows that bad practice
is being followed when it ought to be repudl-
ated Wrongs never become rights by pre-
scription We are dealing with present prae,
teal matters. Laws affecting everybody should
be brought to their knowledge in the most et-
fective way. That way is by publication IN
newspapers of different political faith, and a
fair price paid to the printers. Ii is false
economy to hold back money in such cause.
The public paw for the enactment OF laws and
the carving on of the Government in all its
branches, and it has a right to demand all
proper returns, and especially a knowledge
of what its Legislators have done. The cry
of retrenchment and reform is often the wall
of the demagogue out of office, who suddenly
changes his tune when he gets IN office.
The above article, from the Sentinel of last
week, is the only sensible editorial that has
appeared in it for the past four years, and in
order that it may have general circulation
we rescue it from its comparative obscurity
and give it a place in the ADvOcATE.
The act authorizing the publication of the
laws in the newspapers was passed during Re
publican control in Maryland. They did not
anticipate that Democrats would ever regain
power or thatthere would be more than one Re
publican paper in a county, hence they proyid-
ed for publication in but one paper. The act
required the laws to be published in those
having the largest circulation, yet under Re
publican rule II was often violated. Not a
Democratic pager got line to publish, ex-
cept in those counties where there was no Re
publican paper Published, Under Democrats
ie rule. however, we do not Know Of any such
violation.
What was sauee for the goose is not sauce
for the gander. The Sentiael does not be-
Reve that bad precedent shoald be followed.
The laws should be published in Republican
as well as Democratic papers, it nowbelieyes-
in order that the knowledge of the laws may
be brought before the pablie in the most eff
feetive way, and it further believes that tan
price should be paid. These sentiments o.
the Sentinel are in direct conflict with IT;
course few Saonihs ago Then il believed
that the price paid for the publication OF the
laws was q subsidy, and 1t was wonderfully
exercised over the amounts paid TO the Anvo-
cars in fact j, kept a lis, OF the papers and
the prices paid standing in It's columns, ns al
evidence of Democratic extravaganee.
There Is only one way to account for 'hi'
variance in the !Seafiaei During the cam
paign 1t was saying an It could, true and falls
mostly false--to defeat the Democratic party,
/ Now It is expressing an honest sentiment.