Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-23

voes instead OF plurality, as s now the law, and
then We can institute an enquiry through Com
miitee whether the prices now paid are TOO high
or too low.
Mr.. knight said, that when he offered the A.
inendment, he did not conceive that there could
be any objection. The gentleman from Tennes.
see seemed to mistake bis object. He, Mr. X.
had supposed that the amendment which he had
offered, was such accorded with the practice OF
| the government. All the Departments, he be-
ileved, were in the habit Of pursuing the course
which It was the object of his amendment to re-
commend The Navy Department, the War De-
partment, the Post Office Department, ami the
Treasury Department., had each, in certain cases.
adopted the plan proposed. They were in the
habit OF engaging men for the public service, who
could be employed on the most reasonable terms.
But do they always contract with the lowest bid
der! They do not They make their contracts
| with knowledge of all the relative circunstan-
pioyed upon the best terms, and such terms as are
most calculated to advance the public interest
tie offered the amendment, more TOR the purpose
ot obtaining information, than with view TO any
particular contract II adopted, it would promote
competition-the contractor would always have a
reasonable compensation, and more should not be
| asked The Senate, in making the contract, would
be bound to take every thing into consideration,
and whrn they did so, there could be no complaint
AT former Session, the Senate had pursued the
course now recommended in regard to the print
| ing OF book on Military Tactics, and he had
never heard any complaint on the ground of a
| iaitnless execution OF the work. We told that
| the plan recommended is miserable If it be
such, am unable to make the discovery nor
would it convinced OF the fact, be solicitous for
its adoption. inclined to entertain a very
different opinion, and justice is virtue here
well as else where; in order to be lust would
Tor the accommodation Of gentlemen, even specify
the terms OF the contract explicitly, Sc that the
manner OF the printing should be known on the
one hand, and the price for it. ascertained the
sother If the amendment prevail, said Mr.. X, in
nttnfa ball boo.
candidates before Us, and we shall have oppor-
tunity OF making iudicious choice. Another re-
mark might be made, which had an important
| bearing upon the subject. There had been con-
siderable improvements made in the art of print
ing. The manufacture OF types was an art better
understood and more perfect than it formerly was
steam, too had been applied 10 facilitate the pro-
gress OF printing. These, then, were considera-
lions OF some consequence in the calculation Of
cost; and il gentlemen would reflect, they would
doubtless be convinced, that the government I'd
hitherto paid too much for printing, and that it
might be contracted for upon much more reasona-
BILE terrs. The work can be done, and well done,
Tor less tim we are in the habit of paying.
We should have all the facts before iis, said Mr..
A., and If the anne ndinent proposed be adopted,
that object will be accomplished. In Offering the
amendment, he felt that he had only performed u
duty which he conceived incumbent upon him.
that economy might be practised and the public
interest advanced. The Senate were not bound
10 contract with the lowest bidder, and they mis- ht
direct the manner in which the printing should
be executed. he hoped the amendment would
be adopted.
| Mr.. Johnson OF "a, observed, that the gentle
man who introduced the proposition to advertise
for sealed proposals, had concluded by stating that
his object was not to make contracts for the psin,
ing 10 be executed tor the Senate; aud vet his
proposition is connected with the election of the
public printers. Ii seemed to him that this con-
nection was not congruous, and not introduced at
moment when it might be sanctioned by every
member OF the Senate. Ii the proposition had
been made at any other time, for the appointment
| OF Committee TO enquire and ascertain whethe
the prices given to the public printers much
or too little, that proposition would have been
presented at time more appropriate than the pre-
sent, when resolution is be fore the Senate TO de
termne the manner in which the printer shall be
elected-whether the election shall be deternn
ed by mere plurality OF votes, or, as we all seem
10 agree, in deeming the most proper mode oil e.
iccting by majority Of the whole number. Mr..
j. had great objection to the system Of contracts
Of putting out the public work TO the lowest bid.
der-a system, which, were il not for the high 3
spect he entertained for the gentleman from Rhode
Island, he would call scandaous and contemplate.
tie would not, he observed ont Of regard to that
gentleman, call the system seantalous and con-
temp,ible; but he would say that he felt an in
stinctive ahhorrcnce for that petty system, under
which individuals will bid for work, at prices which,
will compel them TO sli ht IL; s. long he should
live in political life, he would put his veto on it,
The cases OF the Post Master General, of the
public Offices, and of the Conmisssry General, OF
the Army, were not analogous 10 the present. II
the Postmaster General received proposals for car
ryng the mails, he could tain nearly to GER
tainty the value Of the service TO be rendered. and
make his contract accordingly. So il was with
the Commissary General, in suppiying the Army
with clothing; but the printing for the two Houses
Of Congress is entirely different. Mr.. j., howe
yer, clearly OF opinion that there ought not TO
be contract system in the United States, for he
firmly believed that it had introduced more fraud
, more chicane, and more cunning, il,aD any other
system under heaven The gentleman from Rhode
Island had argued, that competitor would produce
T reduction OF the prices. He admitted it; but
was that proper principle to act in the selec
ton of Irresponsible public officer On the same
principle, said he, we can readily find many
who will execute the duties OF our Secretary
our Sergeant alarms, and our Door keeper, for a
compensation lower than give them. Are we
asked he, TO say TO the lowest bidder, "you shall
be our Secretary. or Sergeant alarms" or even
that "you shall have seat on this floor or on Uic
Supreme Bench" He wished 10 be told where
was the difference between the cases lie had cited
and that OF the public printer? Could You not
he asked get individuals to'corne here Seercta
ry, Door-keeper, or Messenger, at lower com
pensaion than is given TO those oiiiccrss The.
why should the printer alone be selected becaas.
he will work the cheapest lie exceedingly re
gretted that this proposition had been intTSducet
by his honorable friend, at a time, and fOf piIs
pose hich he knew could not have been con
ceived by him. Mr.. J. here alluded 10 the ma
ny difficulties which grew out OF the competition
produced by the contract system difficultie,
which he SAID bad been deeply experienced in hi,
native State, where the contract system had beer
found to be defective, and abandoned.
Mr.. J. concluded, by expressing bis regrets ca
having detained the Senate, and declaring that he
should vote against any proposition which, coBieo
plated the executing oftnc Gong ssionsi printing