The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-17

I
Thus spoke Mr.. Houston in 1927 Let us nov
pause for moment, Mr. Speaker and inquire whe
thief those who know SO well the use and abuse o.
this power have not proved themselves full adopts
in its practical application. Let us direct our atten
iion 70 the official newspaper, The Globe and see II
Mr.. Houston has not most apy described its rise
progress, and present state"
We know. sir, that At the commenceme of General
Jacksons administration, the official newspaper was the
United States Telegraph published by Duff Green
Things went ON pretty smoothly for while, and until,
as said jealous rivalry sprung up between the
then Vice President Of the United States and the pre-
sent President Mr. Van Buren,, who was then Secretary
OF State IL said Green suspected for cherish
ing stronger Partially for the Vice President than for
the Secretary OF State. But do profess be fami-
liar with the causes Of this family jar Report said that
the Telegraph was not discontinued abruptly the Off
cia organ, but gradually supplaned by the Globe
and its editor Francis p. Blair, brought here for that
| purpose from Kentucky. Among the means resorted
to for this purpose as complained Of by the Telegraph
were orders or requests to various Posastes through
out the country furnish lists OF its snbsc rbers The
Globe was then sent to them claiming have the spe-
cial confidence OF the party In this way initiated
into favor among the subscribers Of the Telegraph and
IN due season the latter paper wholly abjured
have no knowledge Of all the measures taken that
all hazards the paper be sustained and will leave il for
others who know Francis p. Blair better than do to
determine whether the administration furnishing an
editor for the Globe, succeeded in getting true and
tnsy fellow, fellow that will go the whole who is
troubled with no principles any subject, but who will
support certain interest through thick and thin ~"
This know, that the administration fosercd and che
rshed the Globe with an immense amount Of patronage
and IN that way gave 1t strength and influence. That
/ paper was first Published in 1881. The whole amount
paid for printing by the Executive Departments in 1892
aDd 1888 was 346 81, Of which SAT 245 AZ were
paid TO the Globe, and the residue various other
printing establishments, editors, and publishers through
out the United States. In 1884 and 1885, the whole
amount paid 1888, 966 SO; Of which sum- part,
say $40 473 l6, paid to the Globe, and the residue
again divided as before. For the years, end
ing with September, 1887, the several Executive de-
partments paid out, for printing the enormous OF
$l42,S04 g. Of this, the Globe received 1874 1871 ~
and the balance divided and subdivded-the spoil
being thus given in due proportions among the whole
pack, from " the sturdy mastl that bowls at the door
of the Treasury" down "to the starveng urnspit
that banks on the farthest verge Of our frontier"
But it will be observed that SO far have stated the
amount Of the Executive patronage Of the press only
In December 1885, the Globe obtained the printing for
the House of Representatives, and for the two years
ending on the 3Oh September, 1897 its editors pub
fishers were paid that account, $05, 9l4 ST.! 1t
thus appears that for the last six years. the Globe
paper has received from the Government, as the pub
hshed documents prove, nearly $220 900 What it has
received indirectly and from ofice-holders and expec-
tants can tell will not designate each of the
innumerable host Of editors and printers whom this
patronage has been showered. Many Of them have
ceiyed small sums; Others again. do not quite equal
the Globe editors; but will name few who seem to
be among the preferred and then leave it for their read
to say whether their papers be supposed to be
under the wholesome regimen of Treasury diet.
find that Hill d Barton Of New Hampshire, have
received, IN about six years between 1000 and 50 600
During the same time, Shadrach Penn, it, of Kentucky,
has been paid about $4,000, nearly the half Of which
has been paid within the last years. During the
time, the firms of True & Green, Chas G. Green
penny were paid So 295 sc Paine & Clark So 1897 SO;
Mfiin & Parry, Of Philadelphia, 81, s22 %; Medary,
Reynolds & Medary, 81 ,5s4 and Samuel Medary d
Brothers. all Of Ohio, $1,000. All these payments
were made by the Post Office Department and, in adj
don to this printing patronage, some OF these parties
enjoyed advantageous contracts in the same Department
for the supply of paper and twine," connected with
their printing Of blanks These contracts for blanks,
paper, and twne when examined, as they were by the
committees Of investigation, disclosed the practice OF
most reprehensibe Partially IN the Postmaster General
for certain political favortes have not examined TO
see the other Departments did not simultaneously be-
part Of their printing patronage on these same IN
dviduals This further fact however, is disclosed by
the printing accounts of these Departments that, for
some time past, they have thrown large portions OF
their patronage into the hands of Langtree & OSull-
van, Of this city, who publishing periodical jour
nal the Democratic Reute,o, which processes to be
literary work. but at the time devoesit Its columns
to the and defence Of the administration, with
zeal equaled only BY the Globe and in at least OF
its articles recently published shows little regard for
Justice and truth, Think as that paper does
The Executive patronage of the press was one Of the
great chapters of reform into which the famous rerench
ment report Of this House divided 1t is there
| stated alarming fact, that the amount paid Tor
printing and advertising "by the Executive Depart
ments at the seat of Government for the [then three
last years. (s25, 1926, and 1897 and by the General
Post Office, in two years, S7l $50 81" In the
same report also told that the printing for Con-
| gress, the Senate and House included from March,
lsl9 December, 1927, being period OF eight years.
amounted to S27l 1888 81. These were thought TO be
exravagant expenditures, and retrenchment demanded
and promised.
| | beg the House to indulge me few moments in
holding up to their view and especially to the gentle
man from New York, (Mr Cambreleng) who was an
active member Of that committee, a Mirror IN which
the practical reform may be seen. II the gentleman or
the party shall find the object hdeous one, only
say the picture reflected is the work Of their own
| hands ...
For the six years ending on 3Oth September, 1887
the several Executive Departments, inclusive OF the
| General Post Office, paid out ZIG 81 for their
printing In order get three years, as to compare
it with the term and amount before stated by the COM
mi,,ce, let US take half Of the $340,ll6 81, j..
say $l7oO5s IS
Deduct the amount stated by the COM
Amount Of increase every three years =.
| by the reiorners, S3s,22i oi
| also find that, in six years ending on the 30h day
fScptember 1887 the printing for Congress, (Senae
and House. and inclusive Of certain land documents,
books and engraving, amounted TO $751; ,5s4 g.. Let
us deduc, the amount reported by the committee paid
for the same object in eight years by the Admnisra
ton which was condemned for it's extravagance-tha
was s27l $3.50 81 That operation will show that the
Reormcs have paid in the legislative patronage Of the
press $40, 70l 25 more IN years than the Wig
party paid in eight years