The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-12
The Public Printing.

The Meridian Observer learns that
Mr.. K. III. Henry, of the State Ledger,
is candidate for Public Printer. When
the Legislature meets it should pass a
law requiring the Public Printing TO be
let out to the lowest and best bidder,
who should be required to enter into
bond with satisfactory security that all
printing required by the State Govern
ment shall be promptly executed and in
the best and most workmanlike manner.
The Government of the United States
does not buy pound of pork, bushel
Of corn, bale Of hay, or a ton of coal,
without inviting sealed proposals for the
same, and we see no reason why thous-
ands of dollars should be expended
annually by the Legislature of Missis-
sippi to build up newspaper, which, in
plain language, means to give strength
and influence to purely personal organ
As such things have occurred in the
past, the present is good time to call
halt, and we trust that there will be
found independence and manliness
enough in the Legislature to reform an
abuse that has existed too long.
If the Legislature considers it abso-
lutely necessary to build up public
journal, and make it influential by vir-
tue of patronage, let that body vote a
bounty at once, and then the journal
receiving it will be known for what it is,
a subsidised press.-Vicksburg Herald.
The present editor of the Herald would
not be happy unless he could throw dirt
occasionally at TEE CLARION. He
seems to live in muddy, murky atmos-
phere, and beholds through glass dark
" all objects that have been, or may
possibly be in the way of his prefer
ment. The charge in the foregoing, that
this journal is ga purely personal organ, p
or that it is "a Subsidized press" would
be serious did it come from any other
source. It's value as an outspoken, in
dependent newspaper, will not be deter
mined by the euvious guage of the Herald
THE CLARION is the organ of no man,
or set of en-in Office or out of it. Its
highest ambition is to be an organ of |
the people, and it was 'built up" by the |
pao Die, and by the industry of its fonn-
ders and their SUCCESSORS, long before it
had any connection with the public |
printing, or before the Herald came into
existence.
The Herald has, on more occasions
shan one. we believe, been a candidate
'or Public Printer, and the "lowest and
pest bidder plan" was not then 50 Sc
'iously urged. Now, however, it con-
dudes that it is "a god time to call
lalt," and declares that the Legislature
will not exhibit an independent or manly
pitt unless it reforms what it declares
an abuse that has existed too long"
The Legislature has frequently differed s
nth the Crest Conscientious, and it may /!
o so again. At any rate, it will be ,
to settle this matter as it mar /
eem best for the public good. A few o
ears ago proposition was made to do g
ne printing for twenty-five per cent. !
81 than the rates then allowed--the
wing to go to the public school fund {
III the Legislature has continued to I
Ike ample care of the public schools, :
nd through its appropriate committees, 3
greed upon just and reasonable basis d
compensation for the public print 9
g; and these rates were reduced BY :
lie Code of 1880, which copied. almost
rbatim, the chapter on printing in the g
ods of 1857. But notwithstanding the I
creased quantity of printing nov 10
Tired, as compared with ante beifuns S
'ars, there has been an annual re. :
lotion Of several thousand dollars :
ice the Democratic party came :.
to powerin 1876. One Of the first bills s
troduced in the Legislature Of that !.
ar was to reduce the cost Of the print s :.
J. which, during the six years Of Re !. !.
hlican rule, hadamountedt 10 So, 6i5,- IS
per annnm. The cost, since the work =
5 been entrusted to the present Prin-
. has been $l3.sls.I0 per annup.
e annual average cost for the ssxea IL
rs prior to the war-1s54 to 1850, IN II
Asve-Eas sl5, osI.sO. Il Is polsihls, s.
e : The present plan weEp changed. i
No<Acould be done even chssper s.
20 u i i1.E, but any further 1ndeTisI IS
iuction Woad not aa5sd fair conpen- fet
lon for the alital, material and labor i
Iuirsd . Do the ,ork ii ! prolapa sz IS,
dltable manner zhia plan mns lsla II
'nt thirty years 90 rhen II
ce 4 Fan bid IN the woiI Il oas -
{. and i i possible tks ..IAs Isl ~
g gaeEocs enough 70 do - sziIs sIS
IS nov, ard exan ol.sl boss fes r
priviles
.uk Rto,Sf1 my - ns..en 6 IS -