Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-31

right to do the public printing tor longer time thar
the House shall hereafter deem compatible with the
public interest.
The CHAIR said the motion TO postpone would be
in order. hut the resolution Of the gentleman woulr
not be in order, because it contrary to the act
1919 which specified the duties Of the Printer ana t:t
t me he 10 serve.
Mr. FILLMORE. inquired if the election Of Printer
was TO take place b. ballot, under the law oflol9, OF
rira roc., under the rule adopted by the House.
Mr. DROMGOOLE said it would be time enough
to decide that question when il arose.
Mr. FILLMORE said they were now about to exc
cute the order, and it time it was known how Il
was to be executed.
The CHAIR said he had had some difficulty on this
subject, but his opinion that the mode prescribed
by The law of 1Sl:-aamely, tie election b. ballot
was the mode to be pursued by the House.
Mr.. MCKAY sad he would state for the information
of the Chair and the House. what had taken place in
the Senate on this subject. The resolution of 1919
only said that the Printer should be elected by ballot
but went declare that the person having the
greatest number OF should be declared duly elect
ed This elected Printer by plurality OF votes; yet
in 1877 resolution introduced in the Senate by
one Of the most distinguished lawyers in the country
Mr. Clayto Of Delaware and passed, declaring tina
no person should be elected, cxccp. by majority
the votes of the members present. This, then,
alteration of the resolution of 1919 by one BODY
gain the resolution Of 1919 provided tia, the election
of Printer should take place the close or Con
gress, thus giving one Congress the power of ccct.nG
officers for the next.
In his opinion, this resolution of 1910 was in some
respects, unconstitutional: for If the Printer was an oil
Ger of the Government, some gentlemen commended
the Executive must have the appointment of that oil
Ger under the Constitution. But If the Printer was an
officer of the two Houses, then each House had it in
their power TO elect or appoint them in such
they thought proper.
Mr.. FILLMORE replied 10 the remarks of Mr.
Mckay, and went into an examination of the various
modes adopted for appointing public Printer, and went
argument ut length TO show that the Print
or of Congress not officer OF that body.
Mr.. DAWSON next followed and urged postpone
nent of the election of Printer for the present. the
purpose of asccrainng what plan could be adopted OF
reducing the expenditure for that branch of the public
service lie spoke of the high prices paid for the pub
lie printing, and SAID that the paid the last year
were so enormous that Mr. Men, the Printer OF the
House. sold the work to Gales 4 Scaton, the former
Printers Of the House, and made fortune By it, Mr..
d. referred to the information he had received from a
member from Massachusetts relative the printing
done for the Legislature of that State, which he said
done forty five per cent cheaper and much better
work He urged upon the House the prcpricty of abo
fishing the old plan Of executing the public printing,
and of substituting more economical one.
Mr.. FANDERPOEL, to whom Mr.. Dawson alluded
in his Speech explained the language he used yester-
dav. Mr.. V. Yesterday asked why and he now nc!ud-
ed the gentleman from Georgia too-why did they st
with folded for two years, after the last Printer
was elected, and not propose measure TO reduce
the price of the public printing.
Mr. DAWSON, on concluding his remarks, present.
ed the following resolution, which was read
Resorcd, That the order Of this House, relation to
the election Of Printer be postponed unit, the LIST day
Of February next.
Resored, further That the Clerk of this House be
to employ suitable person persons
execute the necessary printing of this House. in the
manner prescribed BY the Joint resolution OF Sl9, until
further ordered by this House.
Resolred further, That select committee be appoint
ed inquire whether the public printing of this House
be better ard cheaper done BY contract than b
the existing mode
The SPEAKER said his opinion was, that the motion
was not in order, but if the gentleman would mo-
!ify his motion, SO to make the postponcmcnt to
lay certain, it would be in order.
Mr.. DAWSON Lifted his resolution, 70 make
the post ponem ent unt! the first Of February.
Mr.. NANDERPOEL said the point he made yester
day, and from which the gentleman from Georgia could
not escape, was that this fit Of pariotsm winch had
all at seized upon certain members OF this House.
rather lat and now, BY way of GLIDING the force
of that position the gentleman from Georgia said that
the Administration party almost 10 man, voted against
Mr.. Pickenss proposition. Blu. gentlemen knew that
this and other propositions made tor the
purpose Of stavng off the election OF Printer, when It
was approaching and that the Administration party
voted AS they did now against what they conceived to
be mere obstacles thrown in the way, al the stage
Of lis proceedings. But by the aid Of the Conservatives,
the Opposition succeeded in elrcing their Printer after
which they were silent for years, and made pro.
positions for reduction Of this branch of the public
would "si -entlcruon II their short
lived notions Of economy not 1t tim" when they
supposed the Administration had majority, which was
the fact elected BY the people, and when by the aid
Of little squad of Conservatives, they had elected an
Opposition Printer, if their propositions Tor economy
did not cease, They supposed the game was in their
own hands, and acted accordingly. Why did they cit
silent for two years. and not move in this matter: The
Opposition had their printers GALES & Seaton) IN the
name Of Allen. The game was in their own hands,
and therefore, they made no propositions for two years
for economy in the public printing.
Mr.. MASON of Ohio addressed the House, urgi ne
the necessity Of carrying out the system OF economical
expenditure recommended in the message OF the Presi
dent Just received, and he called upon the friends Of
the Administration to join with the Opposition in com
nencing this economy with the public printing Mr..
NJ CHARGED the party of the Administration with ma.
king hypocrtca professions of attachment 10 fcrench
ment and reform, which they never reduced TO prac-
lce and congratulated the party with which he acted
upon the prospect of having an Executive IN pow
ar who would be sincere in his professions He saw,
in the recommendations Of economy found in the PrcsI-
dents message, evidence that his his power was about
TO be taken from him. and II therefore that he re-
cured to the principles which brought him into office
Mr NJ after speaking of the expenses incurred by the
House for printing during Mr.. Adamss administration,
which, lie Sdld were less IMAM inc p'llScs
Van Burcns went on 10 refer to the necessary expcn
dturcs of the Government since the Democratic party
came into power. He went into argument to show
that the economical plan of executing the public
printing would be to let it out contract 10 the lowest
bidder.
Mr. DAVIS contendcd that there was nothing IN
the resolution OF 1910 which made incumbent on the
House to proceed to the election of public Printer at
this time FIe thought the resolution of 1919, referred
only 10 the election of public Printer '.tor the ensuing
Congress following the session when that resolution
was adopted and that the election ought now to be
to take into consideration the expenditure
that might be saved by graduating the prices in pro,
portion to the cheapness of materials, the facilities at
forded by improved machinery and the reduced prices
Of labor. Replying 10 Mr. Vandcrpocl he charged the
Administration with extravaganza and with making
professions of economy. which they were unwilling to
practise.
Mr. BOND replied a, length to the remarks of Mr.
Vanderpucl, commenting on the proceedings OF the
House at the session of 1887, when the public Printer
was elected.
Mr. BYNUM addressed the House at some length.