Page:History of American Journalism.djvu/141

 the press

and that it "contributed thousands to the exigencies of the State." But most of the papers continued their opposition to the measure. The Massachusetts Spy said that it had to suspend publication on account of the act. Of this circumstance, The American Herald of Boston in its issue for April 3, 1786, said:

The Massachusetts Spy (which it is acknowledged has been very essential to this Commonwealth in particular, before, at, and since the late Revolution) is now languishing with a dangerous Wound, given ii by the Legislature of Massachusetts on the second day of July last. Humble and united application has been made for a particular kind of Court Plaister, which could speedily have wrought a Cure; but as that Power, only, which gave the Wound, could apply the Remedy, with effect, it could not be obtained! The wound grows worse daily mortification has taken place, and in all probability will soon prove fatal to the existence of that Old Public Servant "Alas Poor SPY."

MODERN METHOD TO EVADE LAW

While the Massachusetts papers of this period could scarcely have afforded the services of modern corporation lawyers, some of them knew how to get around the law that was so offensive to them. The way in which it was done is outlined in this announce- ment from The Boston Gazette:

The sixteenth article of our Bill of Rights says "The Liberty of the Press is essential to the security of Freedom in a State: It ought not therefore to be restrained in this commonwealth."

While the papers of the other states are crowded with advertisements, (free of duty) those of this state are almost destitute thereof; which justly occasions the oppressed printers of those shackled presses to make their separate complaints, as many do, owing to their being pro- hibited advertising in their own papers their own Books and Station- ery without incurring a penalty therefor. We, for the same reason that our brother Typographers use, forbear publishing that Bibles, Testa- ments, Psalters, Spelling-Books, Primers, Almanacks, &c. besides Sta- tionery and all kinds of Blanks, may be had at No. 42, Cornhill.

The duty on advertisements also prevents our publishing that we have lately reprinted an excellent moral Discourse, entitled, "The Shortness and Afflictions of Human Life illustrated," for the price of said book being but eight pence, it will take away the profits of too many; and perhaps encourage government to continue this burthen.