The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1914-06-25

/ through other mediums which may
| take the money out of the state and
result in poor service to the people.
In presenting Act No. 8, the news
papers are not asking the state TO
make publications simply to provide
revenue for the Press, but they are
asking the state to publish in the
newspapers the information which the
people should have, and which the
people want; information which often
escapes newspaper comment because
it is shielded from the public for va
rious and Outlines mysterious reasons;
information which will put the CRATER
To flight and result in an enormous
saving to the taxpayers of Arkansas
by diverting thousands of dollars an
nually into the treasury OF the people,
from the hands of thieves and plunder-
ers and other unholy channels Of no
benefit to the state,
Ignorance vs.. Publicity.
Ignorance and darkness make the
path of the plunderer easy and wide.
q
public official. who would be crooked
in the darkness, tread the straight and
narrow path of honesty to his con
stitueuts. The paramount issue III
the consideration of Act No is THE
NEED AND VALUE OF PUBLICITY.
If the people are to continue manifest
ing an interest in public affairs,
THERE MUST BE PUBLICITY. II
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 eco
nomv: ii is the surest cure for extra
yaganee. Publicity checks and eventu-
ally destroys graft; it preserves unto
the end of time the peace and honor
of the state.
The Value of II.
IF Act No 3 is adopted BY the PEG
pie. the state of Arkansas Will save
each year from graft and extravaganza
far moro than the expense of publicity,
and the state will reap an abundant
/ harvest in the education of her PEG
pie, in the enlightenment OF hose who
do the voting. and in the creation OF a
good. healthy sentiment and good
wholesome interest in public affairs -
In this connection. the brief points
-. / - =,
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 puhHca=
tions at half the legal rate and this Is
about their customary advertising rate
II wasn't question of graft for the
newspapers. the brief points cut, but
a question of making it possible and
profitable for the state to furnish the
information the people demand Speak
ing of the duty of the Press in such
matters, the brief says
One OF the very best reasons Wy
the newspapers should be paid Tor this
service is that il might be possible for
designing individuals to suppress pub
LEGATIONS 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
for personal or other good reasons,
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
I thereby enable the fraud TO continue.
whereas. II the law required the publ
cation and the editor was properly
paid for the service. his publication OF
the matter would not be constructed
as a breach of personal or business
friendship. Newspapers Will. however,
continue TO publish the news, but their
reporters are all human and liable 10
err II is important in matters official,
in which all the people are interes ted.
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 ease may be.
The Free Education Of the People.
THE people of Arkansas have seen
tit 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 literally
provided for by every session of the
Legislature The people approve, be
cause they believe in the cause Of
! ndnontinn nnA ih-.. Lnnr the sLntn is