The Bismarck tribune., 1919-03-13
WITH THE EDITORS
THE HAREM,s CARETAKER SPEAKS

So rarely have the EoHpartisan newspapers
been willing TO come Out and attempt to defend the
bik designed By NT. Brinton TO compel the state
TO support his hare Of Kept newspapers, that the
sternerity cf the local caretxker Of the harem rs
more to BE- admired than itg logic.
In an editorial yesterday morning, 1t made
three alleged points in favor OF the bills.
First, it argued that it would decrease BY ~
per cent the cost of public printing. That is not
true,.or at least It IS worded 80 az Intentionally TO
leave the wrong impression The legal rate re-
mains the same There would be serious OBJ
lection to reducing the number Of official papers
az distinguished from legal papers, and thus cut
ting the cost Of what might be called public
legal printing whchis to give public proceedings
wide publicity. You could just as well eliminate IT
entirely if ezpcnge we're the only consideration.
But the public printing is d very small item,
comparatively, and the Brinton harern is welcome
to that political plum. The real question is the
principle Of debating to any citizen where he shall
purchase his private legal printing. II John Smith
wants to publish his mortgage foreclosure notice,
or his probate notice in an Independent paper, ne
s not permitted to do it, but must go to one Of Mr..
Brinton's papers and publish it there, paying MIR.
Brinton the full legal rate. ~
Second, it argues that all legal notices would be
published in paper, making it more convenient
to keep track Of them There is some slight merit
to this argument, but it is insignificant. Those
directly affected by legal notices in virtually all
cases, get official notification. II is also offset by
inconveniences. For example probate notice Of
the sale Of certain property would be published in
the county legal paper. 1t might be fifty miles
from the place where the property was located and
would be utterly worthless. III
Thirdly, it argues that the people themselves
by popular vote will choose the paper. That is
apother half truth. They will choose the paper
two years from now, at the next general election,
by which time the Independent newspapers which
are going to be put out Of business will have been
killed off, and there will be nothing to DO but
"elect' one Of Mr. Brntons harem.
1t states that small, insignificant" papers
only, will be put out Of business. Well, why not
let them die peacefully, instead Of killing them
off? We don't legisate to kill off "small, insig-
nificant' farmers. We try to encourage them.
Why not encourage the "small, insignificant
newspapers or at least permit them to live il they
can?
They have ignored the really vital argument
against the Brinton bill. It is cold-blocded de-
l'berate graft measure, intended TO legsIate hun.
dreds Of thousands Of dollars worth Of business
into the Brinton papers for period Of two years
That sum is in addition to the political plums that
can be decently given the favored papers, and Ia
which there is no objection. That fact cant be
truthfuly denied or pallisted. II Is hideously un
fair to hundreds Of hard-wofhing, conscientious
lstrussiing coratsy nswspapsg editors-Farge
Forum.