The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-02-10
Port Gibson Reveillo. !

Tho public printing has been we'll done,
and has given satisfaction 10 everybody,
We believe. Now and then we read unfav-
orable comments, usually more csptious
than wise or just, but, rs general thing
the people are satisfied, and there has been
no official complaint.
One suggestion Is that the publication of
thellaws in the official journal, Is useless
expense.
II is well known that the pamphlet acts
cannot be published in book form until
after the adjournment of the Legislature.
II il equally well known that many laws
are passed at the beginning of the session
of the Legislature, many of them TO take
effect from and after their passage. This
being the case IL is an imperative duty to
have them published simultaneously with
their enactment, that the people may not
be, unoonsciously, offenders against the
law, for ignorance of tho law is not plea
in justification.
IL the State we're only fraternal brother
hood, or benevolent organization, il
would do no harm to defer the PRONUNCIATION
of its orders and deliverances, but as the
embodiment of power, the organism of law,
with penal correctives, and punitory
statutes, the case is different. II would be
cruel TO pass laws forbidding oifenses, and
hide the laws from the people, yet hold
them amenable to such laws.
Another proposition just az absurd, and
unbusiness like, is that the public printing
in the State journal, and in the form
known as pamphlet acts, should be let out
TO the lowest bidder. The most capable
bidder, the one. who is likely TO do the
work best, and the most likely, ell things
considered, to carry out his contract, in
good faith, should have the contract, at a
fair price,
1t is not the policy of the State, in Civ
ing out the work, of all others most i'm
portant the publication of the laws, to seek
cheapness, and 10 invite competition, from
parties both incapable and irresponsible,
as many bidders would be, any more than
1t is to hire cheap lawyer, and do away
with the Attorney General, or to hire a
quack doctor for the asylums, instead of
one skilled in his profession. The lowest
bidder, as a safe rule, il not the bidder 10
employ, either in private or public con-
tract, and as another rule the highest bid
der, within reasonable bounds, is the lowest
bidder at last. II frequently happens that
supervisors let opt contracts for county ad
vertising and for printing. If publisher
with paper of hundred or. 80
subscribers, bids less than one
with five or ak times the circulation, he is
the lowest bidder, in figures, but in fact the
highest bidder, by all odds, hence the cues.
ton of circulation and responsibility should
always be considered. II you advertise
advertise.
The State wants fsirness-justice in the
tulhllment of contracts-not cheapness.
In the purchase of commodities the best il
the cheapest at higher price, and so In
building house, the best vorkmen and the
best material are always the cheapest. tho
costing more money.
To sum up the the whole matter, We have
to say that the publication of the laws
without the possible danger of mistakes or
delay, is too important 10 be Aosarded al
ducsi0n