The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-12


He should not on his part, and he perceived no ne
cessiy for remarks; he hoped therefore, the question
would immediately be taken on the resolution.
Mr. BENTON called for the reading of the bond
Mr.. BUCHANAN had no doubt hu; execution
TO be done, and that speedily, Blair 4 Ryes.
But, before that, he had few words TO say--no ia
arresing judgment, because he anew that would be
van but for the purpose OF stating his idea OF the cha
racter of this case. He apprehended that principle
would be established by this proceeding long TO be no.
membered in this country and deprecated.
In the Inaugural Address which delivered the
other day he found this sentiment.
at wns the remark Of Roman Consul, Ia an early
period Of that celebrated Republic that most striking
contrast observable in the conduct OF candidates
for offices Of power and trust before and AFTER obtain
ing ihe,-hey seldom carrying out, in The latter case,
the pledges and promises made 10 the former. How
ever much the world may have improved in many
respects in the lapse oupwards ofiwo thousand years
since the remark was made by The yirtuous and in
dignant Roman, fear that street examination of the
annals OF some Of the modern elective governments,
would deselope similar instances of violated conf.
dence"
What is the aspect before us Let US venture our
opinion on IT, Does il illustrate the position in
the most striking manner cited by that distinguished
man, now President of the U. States This not
case Of removing officer of the Senate or quasi
oflceI-no such thing But, the case Of the Senate
undertaking TO violate solemn contract could
be entered into by human language The of the
Senate, now making an attempt, IN which they wou Id
succccd-atier contract had been made, and after
these men American citizens, have acquired such
rights under this contract-done before the world he
would not be afraid to leave the question TO any Judi
cial Tribunal the question of the Senate coming in
by might and power, and trampng this under
foot, and would suppose from the style in which il
is done that we had distinguished; Military Chief
tain at the head of our Government It's language
very precise, s,Iiking, and much 10 the point.
Resoired, That Blair & Riven be dismissed as prin-
tiers 10 the Senate for the 27th Congress.
Short pointed, directly 10 the purpose Ii was in the
style Of Richard the Third" Of ieih his head, so
much for Nottingham" And, if reasons were as
thick black-berlies, lie supposed their friends would
not give them one; and why He believed there wa,
not one. Had not Blair * Riycs faithfully performed
their duties as printers TO the Senae2 And why were
they TO be dismissed in his military stsle2
Was It not because they were editors of political
newspaper, which has contained editorial articles in
opposition TO the present Administration pntty
or rih the head" What sinihad yer poor Mr..
Rives commtiei-a partner OF the fln,--a mechanic;
who had entered into this contract that he is 10 be-
executed, and the sin OF Mr. Blair be visited on
his head and the whole Globe be Frustrated
Of the sins of one OF us printers.
This was not matter, he humbly conceived to
jest about, hut question, and he said with the ut.
most solemnity and snccity--of greater Importance
than had been before the Senate of the United States
since he Ilau Deen q member OF the cody.
Let us give the facts. In 1879 Joint resolution
passed Congress, approved by the President of the
United States, declaring that each House of Congress
previous to the adjournment of the old Congress,
should elect and provide proper person to execute
the printing for the next session Of Compress The
resolution bxed the manner in which the pointing was
TO be performed Ii staed the prices which the con-
tractors were to receive; and the obvious policy Of the
resolution was cleai-.t was utterly impossible that
any man could be prepared (without any notce) tor
the performance OF il. Was there any thing in this
resolution which called this mechanic officer of the
Senate, or in the nature of his employment The
resolution itself spoke Of contract and that of the
most solemn character First, he " as TO give bond
and security that he will execute the work with neat
ness fidelity, and despatch And what power is grant
ed TO your Clerk under the terms Of this resolution il
your printer fails to comply with i'll The Secretary
has right to employ another, and if he pays in
creased price, the inference is be deducted from
the others wages.
There stands the case. A solemn contract entered
into by an existing law, confirmed in 1929 and here
was requisite election under the law bonds and
security were g.ena contract, perfect and complete
RVS H1u INV a5 gou a-,1sffs5 ,rutaifg perl
,ornance 70 uemand payment as person had in any
bargain. len times In succession had the Senate
acted under the joint resolution of lSI9-ten times
elected prInter-ten times submitted to this election
and the eleventh OCCASION which was the present.
they were to contioyer what had before been done y
the Senate: and what is the reason Our prede-
cessors hare oil been trrong The Congress which
passed the resolution kneu nothing about he prori-
sions Of Me Constitution. ALI Congresses which have
acted on this rule hare been perfect doats
But they were told that it so plainly violation
OF the Constitution Of the United States that he no
runs may read. And now on this side Of The House
they were sezed with constitutional scrupis and they
think they have been violating their oa,hs in thus
electng printers heretofore Without proposing 10
cast refecions any one il appeared that they
practising on the old rule. That "hey should take
isho hare ne porer, and they should keep ,cho can 2
That was the rule.
Now, If printer is an officer of the body. what
makes him sol What argument had been used to
prove him an officer Of the body He had heard but
one. The argument OF the Senator from Delaware
and which was proposed by some other gentle
men, and 1t appeared that prove this he had to 90
back to period OF the world before The art Of print
ing II the art Of printing had not been discovered
you would nave had to employ a great number OF
amanaenses. Would every copyisl be an officer OF
the Senatel No. 1t would then lie still more n, ces-
sory than now to provide by the preceding Congress
for the performance ofthe work. which then uld have
been much more laborious and expensive. And then
what do the gentlemen assert That there is no ppwer
in this Government by act of Congress TO provide n
printer before the Congress comes into existence
But is there any foundation for this argument L.
not the bare style and statement Of the proposition
sufficient to convince any candid and honest Senator
OF the United States They had entered into con
tract 10 keep the clock Of the Senate ponp and aid
the clock maker become an officer of the body? No
The printing OF the Senate was mechanical work /,
be performed by men having skill in that art and they
might as well call any man who performed any duy
whatever for the Senate officer as TO call the prn
ter.
The JOINT resolution was conceived in wisdom
I What was the case before Congress met-printinc
was Immediately required, and the Clerk authorized
to employ the printer but he was not prepared-dc
lays took place; and order obviate Tins difficulty
the resolution PASSED.
10 his humble estimation, the principle which woulc
be established by these proceedings involved tremen
dous consequences. Once establish the proceed. n
that the Senate have right to violate solemn COZ
tract, deliberately entered into and what becomes Of
this counryl Does Il not 90 immediately to the posi
ton, which had been attributed his party but which
ne had esrr dened-that any legislative body have 4