The Brinkley argus., 1914-08-14

CTS and other unnoiy cnanneis VI "o benefit to the state.
 Ignorance VI. Publicity.
 .'Ignorance and darkness make the path of the pfnnderer easy and vide. Publicity and enlightenment mak0 the public official, who would be crooked in the darkness, tread the straight and narrow path of honesty to his con stituents. The paramount issue m the consideration of Act No 3 Is THE NEED AND VALUE OF PUBLICITY. If the people are to continue manifest ing an interest in public affairs, THERE MUST BE PUBLICITY. If they seem disinterested now. THERE ISN'T ENOUGH PUBLICITY. And when the people lose interest in pub lie affairs, taxes increase. plunderers prosper, revolutions rage and anarchy replaces a peaceful and stable Govern ment
 Publicity Is the fountain of eoe nomy: it is the surest cure for extra vagance. Publicity checks and eventu- ally destroys graft; 1t preserves unto the end of time the peace and honor of the state.
 The Value of lt.
 'Tf Act No. is adopted by the peo- ple. the State of Arkansas will save each year from graft and extravaganza far more than the expense of publicity. and the state will reap an abundant harvest in the education of her peo- ple, in the enlightenment of those who do the voting, and in the creation of q good, healthy sentiment and good wholesome interest in public affairs
 In this connection, the brief points out that the prposed law fixes the rate of publication at one-half the legal rate. Full legal rates are authorized by the Constitution, and the words "one-half" could have been easily omit ted from the bill. But the newspapers could, as a rule, handle such publica- tions at half the legal rate and this IS about their customary advertising rate It wasn't a question of graft for the newspapers, the brief points out. but a question of making 1t possible and profitable for the state to furnish the information the people demand. Speak ing of the duty of the Press Tn sucn matters, the brief says:
 One of the very best reasons why the newspapers should be,paid for this service is that 1t might be- possible for designing individuals to suppress pub lications that were not ordered and paid for by the state, county, or city An editor is human, and he may have his friends now and then to protect fov personal or other gpoo reasonc. His best advertiser may be involved in the list of fraudulent tax assess ments, and the temptation might be strong to omit mention of the fact and thereby enable the fraud to continue, whereas, if the law required the publi. cation and the editor was properly paid for the service. his publication Of the matter would not be constructed as breach of personal or business friendship. Newspapers will, however, continue to publish the news, but their reporters are all human and liable to err. It is important in matters official, in which all the people are interested, that absolute accuracy be guaranteed, and the best assurance Is in official publication, by order of the state, coun- ty or city officials. as the case may be.
 The Free Education of the People.
 "The people of Arkansas have seen fit to make liberal appropriations every year for the maintenance and upbuilding of her public schools. The country school. the city school the high school, the agricultural schools, the state normals. the university and other like institutions are liberally provided for by every session of the Legislature. The people approve, be- cause they believe in the cause of education, and they know the state is reaping abundant returns from this in. vestment. Act No. is carrying the same principle a little further. It provides for the constant education of the people on their public affairs, in which, as tax payers and loyal citi- zens, they are vitally interested. Act No. will cost trifle annually, in comparison with the expense of free schools, yet 1t Is doubtful if free schools are very much more i'm portant to the welfare and future of the commonwealth than the thorough enlightenment of the people at all times on public affairs. Free educa- tion must be maintained ali any cost, in public schools where training for citi- zenship, and through publicity in the newspapers for those who have reach ed the age and activities of citizen ship.
 Publicity In Politics.
 "One of the most purifying steps in politics is the publication of cam paign expenses, advocated by William J. Bryan. and now a State and Ma tsnal law If publicity is good for purifying political campaigns, for keeping te candidate within the limit of honesty and propriety. why will 1t not be good in governmental affairs for keeping the public official in check and the voter enlightened on the af- fairs of state?">
 At this point. the brief goes into che history of newspaper legislation in Arkansas to show that the people of this state have less opportunity. on ac- count of inadequate publicity laws. to know what Is going on in the manage ment of their affairs than the people of other states, where taxes are said to be very much lower than in Arkan- Sas On the urestfOn of 'expense the