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

Mr.. Benton believed that there was faul. in
legislation, Of which there were many examples
There as too much legislation He would illus
trate hi observation by a familiar instance.
Crops, he said, might be (and frequently
were) worked so much that the amount Of rro.
duce derived from the excess al labor would
be seriously timinished The price ofprin,ing had
been regulated not long since, and without wait
ing to the effect, the Senate were called upon
70 go TO work uponit agan.--He would call the
attention OF the Senate TO the resolution Of Nav
last. (Nlr Is. made some observations on the
joint resolution OF MAY last and proceeded y
ltose who have been he.e for some time past,
VIII be satisfied, on examination, that the price
OF printing has been already reduced. we pay
less now than we did formerly.
We formerly paid for four pages where
ony pay Tor one. This amoants, Sir, to o saving Of
three -tourths. The new regulation is certainly
much the cheapest. (Here Mr.. B. read the re-
SOLUTION, directing the manner Of the public print
Ing) In some instances, said MIR. Il. there was n
saving of three-iourths, in others, of one. half
90 not know whether the printing is two high or
too low al present; but am confident that great
expense has been saved, owing 20 the manner in
which the printing has been executed. We should
wait Sir, 10 the practical effects Of the present
plan; and the public would certainly be benefited
10y proper exercise OF discretion upon the subject
As 10 the proposition which has been submitted, il
may be observed that under the most favorable
circumstances, il must be expected that the con-
tractor would realize q very considerable profit
printers would avail themselves Of every opportu-
nifty to make the business profitable. In most
cases the work would not be done according TO the
manner agreed upon, and in this way countenance
would be given 10 speculation and fraud. Under
the same law, where we formerly paid for four
pages, we now pay only for one page. The
gentleman from Rhode Island spoke o, the amount
Fl 600 dollars, paid for the business of the last ses-
sion--Ihe gentleman was mistaken. il will be
found that the heaviest items did not appertan 10
AZ
braced the Journals, Jeherson's Manual, the Urea
suary Reports and State Documents. The Senator
will misiead the public mind and induce belief
that the price paid has been eStravagant. While
Oh his ieet Mr.. -. said, he would make remark
and enquire ?. the Senator, whetbe he would be
willing TO place the public printing in the hands OF
printer who would take il upon the lowest terms:
He would ask the Senator. whether he would be
willing to put up the confidential business of the
Senate TO the lowest bidder? When we consider
Said Mr. b. that the printer is the depository of the
secrets Of the Senate, of treaties and negotiations
with foreign nations, and that it is of importance
that such secrets should be kept inviolabie when
50 required, we must be convinced OF the proprie
~ OF making judiciuuS selection, in order that
the confidence reposod may not be abused.-
MIR. Is. made some other remarks in opposition 10
tho amen'mcnt offered, and concluded by saying,
ne hoped the resolution Of the gentleman from
Tennessee would pass without amendment.
Mr. Knight said that the two gentlemen who
had spoken last, evidently did not understand his
proposition. II seemed 10 him if gentlemen
were afraid 10 trust themselves; afraid tina. if pro-
Posals were made, they should vote for some one
unworthy, because the lowest bidder. Now. il
was not lis object to bind the Senate 10 elect the
lowest bidder; his only object was information, and
when that is obtained, said he, can, with full
understanding Of the subject elect the person who
will do the work most to advantage OF The public
lhe proposals will be made by the most consider
able printers III the country, and every gentleman
here viii know the characters of the persons ap-
plying. One word, said he, to the manner of
Vo'lng- 1t was not his proposition as gentlemen
Imagined, to vote immediately upon opening the
proposals; a reasonable time was to be allowed for
enquiry and consideration.
Inc question was then taken on the amendment
proposed by 5ir Knight, and decided in the mega
tive.
Mr.. Chambers thea observed, he was free 70
confess that he never had been Of opinion that
the resolution passed IN 1919, proper subject
OF legislation. The Constitution expressly saws
chat both Houses shall elect their own officers
The question then was is the printer an officer Of
the Senate! He is not officer of the Govern
nIent; he is exclusively called upon TO act as an
officer oil the Senate Now, Sir, said he, if this be
the fact. il is apparent that the Senate alone,
without the sanction of the other House, can G.
lect it. own officer If we are granted this pow
er by the Constitution, any Legislation on the sub
lect is an act OF supererogation II might be
said that under the joint resolution each House is
TO elect its own officers; yet, act OF legislation
cannot give that authority. If the Constitution
does not give the authority 20 eject printer, all
the legislation in the world cannot give it. He
entirely cOncurred with the gentleman from Ten
nessee, that majority should deter mine the e.
iecton-but he was fully OF opinion. that the SEN
ate should act by itself, without the intervention
at the other House. With this view, he sub
mi,ed an amendment, striking out the whole Of
the resolution except the Introductory words, and
repeating the whole Of the resolution Of 1919.
MIR. Eaton said, that although his proposition
was simple one, gentlemen seemed TO him 10 be
cropping in. the dark. According TO their rule Con-
gTess had been going wrong from the Commence
'nent OF the government to this time, and we
should repeal the laws by which we elect our
Secretary, Sergeant arms, and all other officers
AS far back as his knowledge extended, each
House had unioEtnly elected its own printers; but
the argument OF gentlemen seemed to be, that
nasmuch as they were officers of the govern
Tnent, the President alone had the power to APP
point them.
MIR. Chambers rejoined, that the gentleman did
not seem TO understand him. He had said, that
the Constitution gives the Senate the power to
choose its own officers; and added. that when the
Senate made such choice, Il was in virtue OF au-
thority derived from the Constitution, and not in
virtue Of authority derived from any law we can
make. lie asked the gentleman, if the printer
was an officer OF the Senate OF not9 Ifhe was
cur with us in supporting him'
Mr. Eaton rose, not u argue with the gentle
man, but TO apologize Tor having misunderstood
him. Since the gentleman had asked of him the
question; lac would give il as his opinion that the
printer was not officer Of the Senate, and has
not been considered.
Mr.. Chambers agreed with the gentleman, that
the printer stands in the same relation as the Sec.
rotary, eTgeant-at-Arms, or door keeper; yet on
enquiry Of gentlemen older in the Senate than him
self, he had ascertained, that these officers were
not elected IN virtue Of any law, but under au-
ihority vested IN the Senate by the Constitution
Mr.. Tszewell said, if he understood the gentle
nj =.