The Springdale news., 1914-06-26

result in poor service to the people.
 Tn presenting Ac. No. 3, the news papers are not asking the state 10 make publications simply to provide revenue for the Press, hut 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 ofttires mysterious reasons: information which will put the grafter 10 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- CTS and other unholy channels of no benefit to the state.
 Ignorance Vs. Publicity.
 Ignorance and darkness make tho path of the plunderer easy and wide. Publicity and eniightenment make the putlic official, who would be crooked n the darkness, tread the straight and narrow path of honesty to his con stituents The paramount issue in 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. If they seem disinterested now, THERE ISN'T ENOUGH PUBLICITY. And when the peonle lose interest in pub prosper. revolutions rage and anarchy replaces a peaceful and stable Govern ment.
 Publicity Is the fountain of eco nomy: it is the surest cure for extra VI gance Publicity checks and eventu- ally destroys graft: it preserves unto the end of time the peace and honor of the state.
 The Value of l..
 If Act No. is adopted by the peo pie. 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- pie, in the enlighten ment of those who do the voting, and in the creation of 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-haf the legal rate. Full legal rates are authorized by the Constitution. and the words "onehalf' could have been easily omit ted from the bill. But the newspapers could, as 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 it possible and profitable for the state 10 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 why the newspapers should be naid for this service is that it might be possible for designing individuals to suppress pub Heations 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 II the list of fraudulent tax assess ments. and the temptation mieht be strong to omit mention of the fact and thereby enable the fraud 10 continue, whereas. if the law required the pubIi- cation and the editor was properly paid for the service. his publication af the matter would nor he constructed as breach of personal or business friendship Newspapers will. however. continue 10 publish the news, but their orters are all human and liable 10 err. r ts important in matters official n which all the people are interested that absolute accuracy he guaranteed and he best assurance is in official publication by order of the state coup- Y or city officials. as the case may be.
 The Free Education of the People
 The people of Arkansas have seen 1T to make iheral appropriations every TT for tho maintenance and urbnil7ing of her public schools. The country school the city school the high school Ike agricultural schools, the state normals. the university and other like institutions are literally provided for bv 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 .his in. vestment. Act No is carrying the same principle q little further II provides for the constant education Of the people on their public affairs in which. as tax payers and loyal citi- zens, they are yitally interested Aet No w'll cost a trifle annually. h comparison with the expense Of free schools vet it Is doubtful f sree schools are very much more i'm por..nt to the welfare and future of tho common weaffh than the thor0iloh