Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-25

eommeneed, unaided by state funds or state pa
tronage. bay the result of the enterprise be
a successful, of which we have no doubt, as
the anticipations of its friends are sanguine.
We have not only read, but heard, a
variety Of speculations on the probabl'
lily of MIR. Miles, applying for the pub.
lie printing-all (Which we regarded
as the idle rumor of the day, until we
received the REGISTER Of Saturday,
Doubt no longer hangs upon the sub
iect. Mr.. Niles avows his determine
ton explicitly and candidly; and tells
us, what we certainly cannot doubt,
that he "seeks the place with view
of obtaining it." But we will quote
him in full, together with the cause ne
assigns for making the avowal.
"HEAD WINDS i"
The following paragraphs from the
Richmond Enquirer:
GA correspondent of the New-York
Commercial Advertiser states that MIR.
Niles has been more than once at
Washington seeking the public printing
which Gales & Seaton have executed
with so much despatch and 'accuracy.'
The writer 'entertains no idea that he
will succeed" We go farther; and
trust that Mr.. N. will not offer at all.
We wish well to his Register; but we
are satisfied that his seeking of public
emolument, at this time, is calculated to
injure the utility and character of his
paper"
GAS these things, first in the "Com-
mercial Advertiser," and now in the
Enquirer" have "gone the rounds"
( jorschy, is of little importance,) it is
proper, perhaps, that l should say
few words about them, lest "injury"
may be suffered; though it is matter
that | would not otherwise have obtru-
ded on the readers Of the Register.
1t ismy wish to become printer 10
congress, and l shall seek the place
honorably and above board with the
hope Of obtaining tin belief that l
can cause the work to be done with as
much despatch" and accuracy" as a
ny other person or persons whatever,
and the assurance that / have just as
much right to "offer" myself as the pre-
sent incumbents, or others, can have to
re-offer or offer themselves-and no.
more: and whether | succeed or not,
/ firmly trust that the "utility and cha
racter" Of this work, of which the EN-
quirer' speaks so kindly, will not be 'in-
jured'-but, on the contrary, greatly adj
vanced, if successful, through increased
means and opportunities afforded to
promote both. And why "this time" is
not as proper time as any other, l
cannot find out. Two years ago, was
invited 10 softer" myself, and
as well for private reasons, as
because / supposed that Messrs. Gales
s. Seaton ought to hold the place for
tuo terms, which is all, Gas things are
now conditioned,) that shall be asked
or sought for by me; and it is less than
six months since first resolved to Of
fer for it at ALL"
We agree with Mr.. Niles, that he
has just as much right to 'offer' him
self as the incumbents, or any others
can have to're-offer or offer themselves
But why he supposes that Messrs.
Gales & Seaton ought to hold the place
for t,oo terms, and determines to ask it
himself for no longer period, we con.
fess ourselves at a loss to understand.
If he thinks that four years are sufi.
cient to ensure fortune for the public
printers, then we should say that the
money of the nation is lavished upon
its printers, and that the emoluments
should be reduced But if he thinks,
without regard to the amount of the
profits, that the loaves and fishes ought
to be more equally divided among the
Craft-four years would certainly be
more than the rightful portion Of any
one. There are many who would, no
doubt, be glad to obtain the place; and
who without meaning in the slightest
degree to disparage Mr.. Niles, are,
perhaps, as well qualified as he is. But
by the time that Messrs. Gales & Sea-
ton, Mr., Niles, and three or four others,
have successfully enjoyed their four
years harvest, the rest would, in all
probability, be beyond the reach Of
blessings; and, consequently,
could never be benefited by the system
of rotation. Congress should, and we
trust will, employ those, who at the