449 
NEW LAW RELATING TO PERIODICAL 
PUBLICATIONS. 
The Newspaper Stamp and the Newspaper Postage compared. By Joun 
CrawrFurp, F.R.S. &c. &e. Reid, London. 
Mr. CRAWFURD has long since acquired distinction by his contributions to 
the knowledge of those countries in which he was resident. We have now to 
thank him as Journalists for calling the attention of the public to the prospects 
of those connected with periodical publications at the present crisis of their af- 
fairs, especially as the London newspapers have apparently been careful to con- 
ceal the frightful consequences which are to be entailed upon printers and pub- 
lishers. 
To Mr. Crawfurd, Mr. Wakley, and the Weekly Dispatch, we are indebted for 
all our knowledge of this astounding proposition, respecting which it does not 
appear, so far as we can learn, that any of the Printers and Publishers of the me- 
tropolis who are to incur these enormous risks have been consulted. 
The definitions of papers and pamphlets liable to the provisions of the Act are 
quite vague, soas to make it impossible for a Printer or Publisher to know whether 
or no he is incurring the under-mentioned risks and penalties. His whole pro- 
perty and personal liberty will be continually at the mercy of the officers of the 
Stamp Office, or of Police Magistrates, who may exercise an arbitrary discretion 
as to what publications are subject to the Act. 
Abstract of some of the Clauses affecting Journals, Printers, and Publishers, in the 
proposed Bill for the Consolidation of the Stamp Duties. 
168.—Before a journal capable of being so construed to be a Newspaper can be printed, . 
an affidavit must be made at the Stamp Office, setting forth the title of the paper, in- 
tended printing-office and publishing-office, private residence and names of printers and 
publishers, and of other persons in any manner concerned in publishing such Newspaper, 
with the name of the proprietor, or two of the largest proprietors. Affidavits to be re- 
newed and amended jn certain cases, and whenever required by the Commissioners. 
169.—Penalty for printing and publishing without making the above affidavits, One 
_ Hundred Pounds per day. By the same clause every vender is rendered liable to the 
same penalty for selling or delivering out any such journal, although ignorant that the 
affidavits may not have been made in the form required by the Act. Power is also given 
_ to the Commissioners of Stamps, to stop the issue of stamps until new affidavits have 
been made, whether necessary or not. In other words, the Commissioners are to be 
permitted to ruin any journal they please, by insisting upon new forms of affidavits, 
with which, from the absence of the proprietors or other causes, it may be impossible 
suddenly to comply. 
170.—The affidavits to be evidence in an action at law against the printers, proprie - 
tors, or publishers, until new affidavits have been delivered that the parties have ceased 
to be connected with the publication; 
