The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-20

the very hrst Time IN the history Of this Government
10 which an attempt was made by defe aled party just
going out OF ONCE 10 elect pnnter known TO be-
supposed to be unacceptable 10 the parity coming into
power. IL was known at the time-ssid al the time
and the Senator from Ark whose frank ness on all oc-
casons was worthy OF regard did not h, state TO
the principle on which they acted Now was there
any obligation resting them either towards Sena-
tors towards the individuals that the, should retain
them in Office. Ii there any prncip e of propretv
that should induce them TO continue IN Office these
printers personally Iepulsve TO them if he thought it
ought to be done, he would not then vote for this
resolution, But he could perceive nome He vouId
dismiss the whole subject, therefore, with the remark
that the requisite examination of il in every of
view, he had arrived In his own mind to the result
that this body had the pol0er to pass The resolution
and under the circumstances in which hey were cali
ed 20 act on it, not only it their right but their
duty.
Mr.. KING offered slight modification to the
amendment proposed by Mr.. BENTON nd which that
gentleman accepted.
| The resolution was advocated by Nit HENDER-
son, and opposed by Messrs. SMITH, of CT, and
| CALHOUN.
Mr.. KING said he was not disposed 10 enter into a
very long argument The clear, forcible and incon-
trovertible ground occupied by his friend from S. c.
Mr.. Calhoun) rendered il scarcely essaIy for him
| 10 say any thing.
He felt that this matter was settled-that argument
was of avail-that appeals to justice to propriety
to every consideration that ought to bi nd honorable
Senators, all to be set aside.
Did the Senator from Mi Mr.. Henderson know
any thing of the history OF Govern nent when he
got up and told them that the printer must necessarily
be officer of the Senate because he executes the
printing of the body2 He would find, uniformly in
dividuals were employed by contr ct up to the year
1919. Previous to 1915 they employed by off
GERS ofthe two Houses entering into bo ds to
the work In 1915 Ia consequence of the belief that
it would be better for the country that the officers of
the two Houses should be associated Iehe in order
to enter into this contract that it be certainly
executed, a resolution adopted wv hich he ready
directing the Secretary ofthe Senate and Clerk of the
| House of Representatives Immediately after the adj
journment of that and each succeeding Congress to
advertise for three weeks successfully, in two news
papers, printed in the District of Columbia for propo
sails for supplying the Senate and House of Represen
tatves for the succeeding Congress with the necessary
| stationery, printing, &c.
| He had never heard of this individual being con-
sldered officer of either body, until gentleman
| took some offence at publication in the paper con-
Quoted by the public printer, and intimoted his nten
ton of moving to dismiss hm-but he backed out
! from that. He was convinced that the subject
brought up on that ground, could not be sustained
Was il possible that this Senate, acting with political
designed hostility, should set themselves work
annul solemn contract with person TO do certain
piece ofwork which he had heretofore done faithfully
| Had it not been well DONE Had it been complained
off From political and personal hostility these Sc
majors to dismiss the printers and that alone.
! He had watched the progress of these things from
|
time, and no body believed that this individual was
any thing more than employee of the Government.
1t contract entered into and if not performed
he was liable to be prosecuted for damages, and to
pay the expenses incidentally incurred for having to
| employ others
! But he felt that this matter was settled. These
printers to be dismissed He had direct in
formation from head quarters and those who in their
secret hearts might regret that they brought for
ward in this position, were carried along with party
predictions.
He would not repIy-hs indignant feelings did not |
permit him to reply to motives that he would frown
at, as unworthy and unjust unworthy of the body.
What was it Suppose for moment, that Blair & |
Rves these contractors public printers were every
thing that Senators had thought proper to denounce
them. What did it differ whether the individuals
had good bad character2 He was not here as
the advocate of Blair Rives He loo ked to the great
principle involved-to this act, establishing pre-
cedent which must and forever shut the mouths of
Senator'S to any denuncations against his party, as
being archaeological to break down vested rights
Mr.. Blair, years since, lived in Kentucky and
some of those who SO bitter against him
ISOLATED with him. Was he infamous then 2
Mr. K gave his testimony TO the good character of
Mr.. Blair, as possessed of kindly feelings, and
asserted that he mould compare honord6ly NTH Scnd
tors that now accused him. He knew not who were
to be the printers but gentlemen now with rancorous
political heat, running counter TO all their pre-
vious declaratons-to what they hal denounced in
| strong terms; to wreak their vengeance on political
foe Let the country hear 1.-THE Sc understand
it. Could Blair & Rives resign their appointment if
they plcasedt to- without the ofthe Senate
They had made the contract, and held the printers
strictly bound to its execution and performance and
they could not dvest themselves of tine obligations of
that contract but they undertook in the power otheir
strength to annu this contract and without the con-
sent of the other party, to set it aside.
i He thought more high-handed, reckless and I'M
worthy assumption of power, attempted in
any deliberative body. 1t sheer power unmind-
E.l IF la The.
contract and if gentlemen could exercise the power
under such circumstances it for them to do it, for
the country understand it, for cry man in this
country who is engaged in executing business, under
contract to this government, TO be to Id plainly
language could speak, do the work faithfully as you
may; you have no security from the inoment poti-
cal party gains the ascendancy, who liz hostile to you
who has private grefs personal hos tity-tha mo-
the contract is to be abolished nd you be set
aside TO your utter ruin let the country and the Sc
nate understand that is the case here
The argument all on their i,ide, and all the
ingenuity of the Senator from Connec ticu Mr. Hun
tington) endeayoring to lead off with false scent
would not avail him. He cared about the rule of
/ the two Houses-he willing to throw it out of
view altogether The election took place designating
the individuals printers they were not bound to
know whether the Senate acted ding the reso
luton they forward and ted of the terms
made to them That was the ground; and no argu-
ment about the resolution being depa ted from by the
House. the constitutional power it, &c. could set
aside the simple fact that the contract made in
pursuance of their own order.
He felt that he expanding his breath in vain
by saying any thing here The thirtg was settled
the fat had gone forth. These be sacri
feed on the altar of party. But he warned them of
the result-the due result to themselves They had
the power, and they exercised it in way they had
denounced in the defeated party but they would open
theeycs Of the country and they wou what they
had right to expect.
Every American citizen, with equal rights and Ii
berries, equally entitled to the protection of law
and he to have his character put trial without
an opportunity of being heard? Was this the liberal
and manly spirit that to actuate Senators the
other sdel They had heard good deal about '1bera
ty" and prescription" they denounced it in the
strongest terms and the very first act of the Adj
ministration to propose the very things which
they had denounced so lately. A few days had passed
thew had sneech nhinct This