420
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
Upon the action of the Legislature depends to a considerable extent the construction to be given to the present contract for the public printer. It is for the Legislature to say, after the matter has been fully investigated, whether the charges made by the public printer for the past four years were correct, and in accordance with law. If they are not, and money has been illegally drawn from the Treasury, it is not only in accordance with justice but precedent, that restitution be made. In providing a means to disseminate the laws it seems to the Executive that a regard should be had to the means most likely to bring them within the reach of the great mass of the people. I do not believe that the present mode of distributing them is calculated to accomplish this end. But few' individuals get pos- session of them, and frequently long after they have gone into effect. The peopJe have a right to know the law, and the Legis- lature should seek that channel of communication which is most accessible. I believe that if a portion of the money now expended in printing was devoted to the publication of the laws in one newspaper in each county in the State, or at least one in each judicial district, the benefit to the community would be far greater than that received by printing them in pamphlet form alone. A much smaller number in pamphlet form would then suffice, and the expense to the State would be but little, if any, greater. The cost of publishing the general laws in the manner mentioned would be but slight, and if at the same time, by the distribution of the public funds, the entire press of the State is benefited to any extent, it is an object for favorable consideration. Nothing has more contributed to the prosperity of Texas than the energy and perseverance of the press. It is a powerful auxiliary to free- dom everywhere, and when actuated by that feeling of responsi- bility which points toward impressing the public mind, by means of correct information, with a true sense of right, and a proper moral tone, rising above the bickerings of party or personal abuse, it may be relied on as one of the bulwarks of liberty, to be sus- tained and defended by every free people. I would suggest to the Legislature the propriety of adopting such measures as will urge upon Congress the justice of paying to Texas the balance now in the Treasury of the United States on account of our public debt. In the present condition of our Treasury this amount becomes important. Texas is entitled to it, and should receive it without delay. The time has again arrived when an examination of the affairs of the State penitentiary is called for. An investigation of its
Powered by FlippingBook