Year: 1876

regard to the very great lnJustlce done to the country newspapers of Arkansas by the last house of representatives in refusing to pro vide more adequate fees for pub lie printing. The senate did, in pursuance of the wise rccommen- dation of Gov. Garland pass bill which would have been some aid in fostering and building up the newspapers of the State, but the house, with very reprehensi- ble parsimoniousness refused to concur in its passage, and so ed itors and proprietors of country papers were lett to ckc out pre- carious existence as best they could. The fees of officials were not cut down more than half as low in proportion by the former legislature as the fees for public printing were, and yet there was such a general complaint from almost the whole tribe of officials that the last legislature found it necessary to adopt a new fee bill raising the fees in many instances, but without according any more just or generous fees for the pub lication of legal notices. Els pecially are the fees for the publication of the delinquent lists wholly inadequate and unjust. It must be known to the members of our legislature that country papers hare hard work at best to pay the proprietors living, and I for them to refuse to pay just rates for public printing looks very much as though they held the value of the press in very light estimation. Ifthere are any who ought to realize the value of the press as a strong agency of civilization, and means of awak- ening a desire for a general intel ligence of the masses, it ought to be our law makers, and we think it would be well as suggested by the Augusta Bulletin Tn the ap- pended article, for the state press to find out the standing of our next candidates for the legislature on this subject. We append Col. Trezevant's remarks on this sub ject:

 "The number of country news papers is getting small by de 1 grees and beautifully less. There have been too many of them, all living on the half-shcll." ."--Mem phis Avalanche.

 It is to the interest of newspa pers published in large cities, te extend their country circulation because that increases their city advertisements; and that circula tion is apt to be largest in coun ties that have no paper, or where ono has suspended for want o sufficient patronage. Then, o course it is for the interest metropolitan papers that ther' shnuld be no country papers, this enlarges their own circula tion.

 But we do not recollect that wt have ever before seen an openly expressed satisfaction at the sus- pension of county papers, for 1t tells those who have done their duty in supporting a local press, that they are foolish; and it tells those who do not support 1t, that they gre wise; and it invites both to subscribe for the Avalanche and let the county papers take care of themselves. Such spirit is beneath decent contempt. Per haps, however, we may thank the Avalanche for giving us a fit op- portunity for saying something to our brothers of the county papers of this state, npon the importance of securing the passage of some such bill as Governor Gerland recommended in his last message; a bill which passed the senate but not the house. last fall.

 We may as well look this thing in the face at once, and call things by their right names. We do not believe the Little Rock Gazette would rejoice, as the Memphis Avalanche does, at the suspension of any Arkansas county paper: but it need not be doubted that the Gazette's circulation and ad- vertising would be increased by every such suspension. We therefore say that the country papers must take this thing in their own hands, and endeavor to secure the passage of such law as will not only do them jus tice but better serve the public than it is served now.

 Let the county papers consult with all candidates for all county