The morning call., 1895-02-20
PRINTING OF AMENDMENTS
Newspapers Held to BE the Better Medium
bY q Joint Committed.

by a Joint Committee.
SACRAMENTO, Feb. 19.-At last some order
seems to be coming out of the chaotic con-
fusion that has ensued heretofore in regard
to the printing of the proposed constitu-
tional amendments.
The matter was considered tonight at a
joint session of the Constitutional Amend
ments Committees for the Senate and As
sembly. The legislators were assisted in
their deliberations by A. P. Lennon of
the Santa Rosa Republican, representing
the California Press Association; J. A.
Fletcher of the Placer Herald, Frank Leach
of the Oakland Enquirer and Charles M.
Shortridge of the MORNING CALL.
Mr.. Wade told of the sad result of the
last act authorizing the publication of
proposed constitutional amendments in
mot less than four newspapers" The
provisions of the bill were strictly en-
forced. 1t was not only printed in not less
than four papers, but it was printed in so
many that the bills for printing reached
over 100000.
He proposed printing the constitutional
amendments on slips, one of which was to
be mailed to each voter. This, Mr. Wade
thought, would not cost more than $4,000.
1t was pointed out to the gentleman
from Napa that $40, 900 slips would be
needed. These would cost $3.50 for print
ing. Postage would reach $500 more.
What with clerk hire, stationery, etc., it
was estimated that SOS, 900 would not cover
the cost
The value of newspapers to the State was
shown. All agreed that the press was a
surer way than any other to reach all the
voters of the State. The country papers
were shown to have particular value, as
their readers read everything in them.
The prime necessity, it was urged, is for
the State to have money for its printing
set aside in the treasury. Then, when the
newspaper men knew they would not
have to wait for their money, they could
afford to make better proffers of their
space.
A. P. Lennon, president of the Califor-
MIA Press Association and editor of the
Santa Rosa Republican, stated that nearly
all the interior papers had two rates for
legal advertising. One was the rate charged
friends and the other lawyers.
The other was what the County Super
visors would allow. This latter figure was
very low and Mr.. Lennon though that
was what the State should pay. He offered
substitute bill which after reclting the
nature of the matter to be printed says:
1t shall be the duty of the Governor to adyer-
tise such proposed amendment or amendments
in not to exceed two papers in each county or
city and county of the State once week for
six successive weeks Immediately preceding
the next general election, provided that the rate
charged for such advertising shall not exceed
the rate fixed by the Supervisors of the re-
spective counties for county advertisements:
and provided further, that when such amend
ments are printed in the two papers in any
county, such papers shall not be of the same
political party.
1t was also suggested that the constitu-
tional amendments should be printed. to-
gether with the Governors proclamation.
This, it was stated, would make the cost
for each country paper about $14O No
allowance was made for the city dailies.
and, as Mr.. Wade looked with favor upon
the amendment, a subcommittee, consists
ing OF two mem ers-Senator Earle of Ala
media and Assemblyman Bachman of
Fresno-to assist Mr.. Wade in properly re-
yising the bill under consideration.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.
They Are Considered Useless by Ttco Leg
isIatire Committees.
SACRAMENTO Feb. 19.-In the constitu-
tional amendments committees tonight
Belshaw urged the recommendation of his
proposed amendment to abolish the Rail-
road Commission.
Senators Earl and Hart opposed such
extreme legislation.
Bachman of Fresno thought the trouble
could be avoided by having the Commits