Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-06-11
WHAT IS A SQUARE

WHAT IS A SQUARE?
The recent decision Of Judge Glas-
pell, sitting at GLENDALE, in the case
o. Ed Smith of the Cakes Republican
VS.. the county commissioners of Dickey
county, that a square" OF type as
specified by the statutes for publication
of county commissioners proceedings
means the square of twelve lines of
BREWER, literally, or Ia "e1ns", is just
now being discussed BY the press Of the
state. It seems that Mr.. Smith pub
lished the county commissioners pro
ceedings sleaded."
The commissioners cut his bills, con-
tending that he should be paid only
for the equivalent OF twelve solid lines,
the entire width Of his columns
which is about 20 ems brewer. He,
claimed a square Of type meant liter
ally square: as wide as it is deep, and
the court held with him and gave him:
judgment against the county.
The highest authority on the meas
uren1ent Of type and the construction.
and interpretation of the law in rela-
ton to the measurement of legal:
notices issthe typographical union and,
custom. The word square as used
in the statutes has a broader meaning
even than that given blythe dictionary.
SIt is a scientific term and courts are
bound TO take notice of this fact. A
square in builders parlanee may mean.
100 square feet, orten feet square, but
the printer understands q square of
type to mean twelve lines Of solid nom
pariel type, standard column as ems
$pica) width. Oh, under the new point
system adopted by all type founders
andgendorsed By employing printers as
well as the typographical union, i772x156
points. Section 1886 OF the Revised
Codes provides that in the publication
OF county commissioners proceedings
q square shall consist OF twelve lines
OF solid brewer type q its equivalent Z
This IS a special construction as under
the general rule and under section
2099 OF the Revised Codes d square, in
legal parlance, Is twelve lines Of solid
nonpariel type on It's equivalent, It
is the custom also to figure q folio
Goo words the same IS a square
twelve lines solid nonparie1l but this
rule not inhexible.s
II the decision OF Judge G1aspen is
based on good logic and a right inter-
probation Of the laW--Whieh Weadeny-
then legal publications must be meas
ured By the square inch, or a carpen-
ter,s stick instead OF a printers rule,
and legal rates will be increased about
seventy per cent over the inter
probation heretofore given by the pub
fishers d this state-following the
precedent OF all the older common
Wealths. s#83
As the Tribune views this matter
Mr., Smith. on whose action this do.
cision has been rendered, has done the
craft an injury rather than a benefit.
Az the instance Of the state press assoc
citation the present laws governing
legal printing were enacted The rates
q considered fair and equitable
i the customary manner OF meas
urernent proper. Now ID q de-
efsion, based on an action Of d North
Dakota publishes, that Id not only con-
tlsing but IL sustained BIZ the supreme
court OF the state, would increase the
ratesi NJ legal printing beyond an rea-
son and result III dissatisfaction and
complaints N the part Of patrons Of
newspapers that would find syrnpa-
thetic relief ii the next legislature.
Until d higher authority than a district
Judge has passed On this question II
wifi Be well d m1b1ishers to stick to
tie present custom of measurement.
iii first edition b the Palladium
BY the Palladium Publishing Company
dS+arGG-o rad fSz