The Russellville Democrat., 1891-06-25
NEWSPAPER LEGISLATION.


20, 1891.
There Is much desirable legislation
which could be grouped under the
head OF the subject of this paper.
While they are, literally, one reform,
a number OF laws will be required to
effect them, and, as ''reforms do not
come In litters,n have chosen the
subject OF the publication cf the acts
OF the general assembly as The one
most affecting the interests OF the
people and press.
That it is the duty OF the state to
make known to the people the laws
by which they are to be governed is q
selt-evidsnt proposition. The enact
ment of law, which takes effect
from the date OF its passage, should
be given immediate publicity in order
that the people may be informed Of
its provisions and conform TO its re-
quirements. To adopt laws and fail
to provide speedy and pra cticsl
method OF publication is not in ac-
cord with the spirit or policy OF free
government. 1t is more in keeping
with the cruel custom OF Caligula,
the ancient Roman despot, who wrote
his laws In very small character,
and hung them upon high pillars
where they could not be read by his
subjects, but inflicted severe penal
ties on those who disobeyed them.
Though the light of the twentieth
century is dawning upon us, how
much have we improved on the
methods OF this ancient ruler? I'm
der the present system of this state
the laws passed by the general as
sembly are rot published for general
information in q form accessible to
the public. They are printed in
pamphlet form, long months after
they take effect, and by the
printer returned TO the
secretary Of state who puts them
away in the store-room of his office,
there to be consumed by moth and
dust, except limited number OF
copies which are supplied to county
officers. Thus, after the state has
gone to the expense of printing aud
binding the acts they are not for
general distribution. No state OFF,
Ger except the governor, no judge,
supreme, circuit or county, nor pros
ecusing attorney, nor the mayor or
other officers of q town or city are
furnished with copies OF the acts. Ii
any OF these officers or any citizen
desires to read or examine the stat
utes not included in the digest
(which our Legislators take fiendish
delight in amending), he is forced to
buy q copy or apply to the nearest
justice OF the peace for the desired
information. II these alternatives
fail, then he must pay the penalty
which is exacted as the last and mex
cradle price OF ignorance of the law.
Obviously such defective system
ought not to receive the sanction or
support OF q free and enlightened
people. 1t is q familiar legal princi-
pie that ignorance of the law excuses
no one, and yet the present system In
this state tends to keep the people in
q state of ignorance concerning the
acts and doings of our general as
semblies, and at the same time keep
them exposed to the pains and PEN
alties OF Indictment and conviction
virtually for being in that condition.
Who In this assembly can correct
ly inform me OF the nature and pro-
visions OF the laws enacted by the
legislature which adjourned on the
4th day Of April last? What men,
Der OF this association, all OF whom
are presumed to be informed in the
affairs OF state, can tell me what
laws were made, repealed or amend
ed? With the exception OF posi-
bly, the lawyers, the great body Of the
people are in profound ignorance on
this subject, and yet they are held
amensble for any infraction of law,
the existence OF which 10 as totally I'M
known to them as the daily newspa-
per was to the builders Of the pyra-
mids. We look back on the ignor-
ance, superstition and barbarity Of
the English during the reign OF
Ethelred, Harold and William OF
Normandy--more than 1000 years
ago--and speak OF them as s'the
dark ages" when, in fact, we are,
ia many respects, "as deep in the
mud as they were in the mire."
II citizen should forfeit a right
or incur q penalty by the operation
of the laws lately enacted, he could
plead neither ignorance of their pro-
visions nor the failure of the state to
publish them as an excuse or defense.
He would have no remedy and could
obtain no reparation. II be appealed
to the courts his cause would be Gis.
missed on the theory that he was
bound to know the unpublished laws
of the land.
In ancient times the lsw-givers
were more careful OF the rights of tie
people and more enlightened in the
necessity Of impartiDg to them a
knowledge OF the laws enacted for
the regulation of their rights and des-
TIMES. They had not the potent
agency OF the press to disseminate
knowledge and news, but they adopted
the best means available in that age,
and caused the laws, as soon as en-
acted, to be engraved on tablets OF
stone or brass and set up In public
places to be seen and read Of all men.