The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1894-05-05
A HINT TO THE WISE.

aJusI complaint that some of the
journals of the State are making
against our Democratic Legislatures
on account of the disfavor shown TO-
wards the press in the past. Laws
are enacted which directly or indi-
rectly foster and encourage indus
trial, manufacturing and other prac-
tical enterprises and investments.
This is well. But when it comes TO
the proposed enactment of a
measure which seems to contain a
practical benefit to the preso-then
that very benefit - made a reason
for the defeat of the measure. There
may be no positive antagopism to
the press really existing in tile minds
of most Of our Legislators, but the
apparent indifference shown to its
welfare, and the failure 10 encourage
it in anywise. would seem to give
some color to the charge.
The Democratic party Of Mlssis-
sippl, as a party, and the representa-
tives Of the party who now enjoy its
honorable positions, owe an incalcul-
able debt of gratitude and apprecia.
ton to the newspapers Of Missis.
sippi. This is true now 1t has
oeen equally true Of men and party
in the past. 1t is one Of those debts
which is never paid, ought over to be
freshly borne in mind. 1t Is q moral
debt, for which payment in dollars
and cents, is not demanded by the
press. But it is an honorable record
and entities the press to ask for all
fostering care and gratitude from
Democratic Legislatures. Whether
it has received the one or the other
can be most seriously questioned.
Through sunshine and storm, in sea-
sons Of despondcncy or joys the press
of Mississippi has sung the praises
and glories the State and of the
Democratic party. The press of
Mississippi will 60 on loving their
State and people, and their party,
for 1t is of its very life, and will con.
tinue untiringly to sing the praises
of all. But some of the oflice-hold,
ers Of the party and some of the.fu.
ture ofIice-seekers on ITS list, will dis.
cover some day that for particular
individuals, the press will have
neither favor nor affection.
If a man wants Office nowadays he
expects the press TO shout his
praises and send them ringing
throughout the seventy-fve counties
Mass meetings, with their brilliant
and eloquent speeches, must have
heavy head lines. Nominating con
ventions NJ ust be praised for select
ing the very best men. The individ
ual candidate expect to proclaimed
untiringly as the Incarnation of al
the political virtues embraced in thu
Jeffersonian trlologue, and from tht
initial action to the close of the cam
paign the press is expected to un
ceasingly labor and hurruh for mer
and measures. This would seem II
indicate that the press is most won
derful and potential political force
Then, let politicians and Legislators
not forget it.
In our State very often local coun
ty officials, and even district ones
are strangely neglectful of thei
home papers, and give to foreign
publishing houses about all theil
printing.
We do not speak from selfish in
terest here; for it gives the Sentine
peculiar qualification above the pecu
mary profit to boast of the patronage
of our cosnty and town officials
therefore, it is in spirit of justic'
and right for others when we say th'
home paper should, as far as prac
ticable, have the local patronage. L
is better even to endure little poore,
printing andshave it remain at home
than TO go abroad with money ant
work Every community loves to b.
able to boast q good local paper
hut community which does not sup
port the home paper will never bt
able TO boast.
To give a striking illustration
of the strange neglect of home
papers, sometim es manifested by
local officials, we will say that We
were present at Greenville, Miss, at
the April meeting of the board Of
supervisors of Washington county
printing for one year, as advertised
We were astonish to see and hear Mr.
G. G. Johnson, the chancery clerk Of
the county, openly work for and ad