The Brinkley argus., 1914-07-31

p1noW WQrrMSzR1Seasy q 6ks psspls. from. the hands of thieves and Dlundsr- ers and othsr unholy channels sf no benefit to the state.
 lanorance VI. pueloclty.
 sIgnofanco and dar1ness make the path of the plundsrsr easy and vide Ruhlic1ty and enlGhSsmnent naAs the public encial. who would bs crooked in the darlness. tread tho straight and narrow path of honesty to his con h11tusuts. The paramount issue in SAs sensaAseatien sf Act No. 3 is THE NWrD AND VALUE or PUBLICITY. h the people ass to continue manifest nr san lntsrest n public anairs. TzIuR1 MUST m PUBLICITY. If they seam Aialntsrosted now. THERE IeNT ENOUGH PUBLICITY. And when, ths people lose interest in pub trsaAalss, tazss increase. plunderers prospsr, rsvelutjsns rage and anarchy replaces . peaceful and stable Govern uonG
 -axPubii6ity is the fountain of eco nomy; it is the sursst cure for extra vaeanse. Publicity cheeks and eventu- ely destroys graft; 1t preserves unto Akss end aof lime the peace and honor of the state.
 The Value of it.
 If Act No. is adopted by the peo- pie. tho state of ArlAnsas will save eash yaas enom graf and extravasance far moro than the expense of publicity, and the state will reap m abundant harvest ia tho education of her peo- pie, h &ns enlightenment of those who do thssvst1ng. and in the creation of good, healthy sentiment and a good wholesome interest in public affairs." :" ]. In this connection, the brief points out that the opposed law fixes the rate of publication at one-half the legal rate. Full leeal rates are authorized iby tho Constitution, and the words ~one-half'' cesld have besn easily omit ted from the bill. But the newspapers could, as . rule, haAdle such puhiica- tions sat Aak the legal rate and this IS about theiY customary advertising rate. It wasn't question of graft for the newspapers, the brief points out. but sa 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 in such matters, tho 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 far 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 tho 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 q breach of personal or business ffiendship. Nswspapers 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 ofacial publication. by order of the state. coun- ty or city oficials. as the case may be.
 The Free Education of the People.
 Tho people of Arkansas have seen fit to mako 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 stata ~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. 3 is carrying the same principle little further. It provides for the constant education of the people on their public affairs, in which, as tax payers and loyal citi- sens. they areayitallys interested. Act No. 3 will cost trifle annually, in comparison with the expense of free schools. yet 1t ts 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 aiRairs. Free eduna- ton must be maintained at any cost, in public schools where training for citi- xenship. and through publicity in the newspapers for those who have reach a the age and activities of citizen ship.
 Publicity ln Politics.
 "Ons of the most purifying steps h politics is the publication of cam patgn -expensss. advocated by William !. Bryan, and now . State and Ma