The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1899-03-01
NEWSPAPER LEGISLATION.

Under the above heading the Juab
County Republican enters two objec-
tious against the newspaper bill pro.
posed and framed by the Utah Press
association and presented by Senator
Smoot The first objection is that the
rate, viz: 81 per square for the FIRST In
sertion aud so cents per square for the
second insertion, is too low. In reply
TO this objection we may say that IL is
AS high as any country newspaper can
command in Utah, aid we are flee 10
say, higher than the Republican ever
charges. | I is perhaps not all that such
work is worth, but Is as near IL as we
have any hopes Of securing through
legislation. The second objection 10
against the provision that the subscrip-
ton price OF any newspaper shall not
be less than 81 per year. The Repuh-
lican says:
The rate should be stricken out for
the reason that IL he should desire TO
and would publish newspaper for
merely nominal sum and secure there
by very large circulation. which he
could do. It should not be bar to his
receiving share of the legal adyer-
tlsing.
We cannot agree with this PROPOSE
tion. Any newspaper in oiderto b. so
classed. must charge subscription
price which Is somewhat equal TO the
value Of the paper TO It's subscribers,
and we believe very few publishers will
admit that their paper is not worth at
least 81 per year. A paper which is
not valued Is not read, and the only
way 10 have it valued Is TO charge
enough to make the subscribers appre-
ciate II. III we descend TO u free basis
or even nominal sun" a newspaper
ceases To become such, and drops TO
the level OF ''dodger." The newspa.
pers OF State are a power Ia the
State. and should be self respecting
and independent. They should charge
for their papers and advertising on n
proiil paving basis, Just The same as
merchants and manufacturers charge
for their stock aud products. The bill
tanned by the Legislative committee "
the Utah Press association attempts as
far as possible 90 bring the business up
10 such basis. Our only fear is that
the bill may not pass the Legislature
IN as favorable form ms presented, but
will be emasculated by the class who
always in all legislative bodies and
political parties oppose progress aud
fairness. We note that the Republican
approves all the other provisions of the
hill. and hope II will join the other
newspapers ofthe State and buckle
down" TO work for It's passage.
The most senseless TRADE we have
ever seen in Utah newspaper is that
in the last issue Of the Manti Messenger
and is directed against tho proposed
newspaper law. As there is neither
logic or reason in the article, In fact
little but species OF weak profanity
and innuendo.i IL is unworthy Of review.
The opening. however shows that the
article Is inspired by State Senator
Alder Of San Pete county. AS TO that
eentleIaan the newspapers should take
care OF HIM when next he comes up
for offloe AS TO the Messenger, which
is not member Of the Utah
Press Association, we may say
that tits such sheets as that winch
have in all these years prevented the
growth Of newspapers 10 Utah, aud
made his State the most backward Ia
tie Union in this respect.
/ 70 ccntFaaistinctlon e lhe dir Of