The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-16


the very first time in the history of this Government,
ia which attempt made by defeated party just
going out Of Office 10 elect printer, known 10 be- or
supposed to be unacceptable to the party coming into
power. II known at the time said at the time,
aud the Senator from Ark. whose rsnkness all
casions worthy of regard did not hesitate
the principle on which they acted Now, was there
any obligation resting on Them either towards Sena-
tors towards the individuals, that they should retain
them in Office. Ifthere any principle proprets
that should induce them TO continue in Office these
printers personally epusive to them IL he thought Il
ought 10 be done, he would not then vote for this
resolution. But he could perceive none. He would
dismiss the whole subject therefore, with the remark
that the requisite examination of in every point OF
view he had arrived in his own mind to the result,
that this body had the poner TO pass The resolution
and under the circumstances In which they were cali
ed 70 act on il, only il their right but their
duty
| Mr. KING offered slight modification to the
| amendment proposed by MIR. BENTON, and whichthat
gentleman accepted.
The resolution advocated by Mr.. HENDER-
| SON, and opposed by Messrs. SMITH, Of c., and
| CALHOUN
| MIR. KING said he not disposed to enter into
very long argument The clear, forcible, and neon
troserble ground occupied by his friend from s. c.,
(Mr Calhoun) rendered il scarcely necessary for him
| to say any thing.
He felt that this matter settled-that argument
of avail-tha appeals to justice, to proprety,
To every consideration that ought to bind honorable
| Senator'S all to be set aside.
| Did the Senator from Mi (Mr. Henderson, know
any thing of the history OF our Government, when he
got up and told them that the printer must necessarily
be an officer of the Senate because he executes the
printing of the body He would find, uniformly, in
| divduas were employed by contr ct up to the year
/ 1919. Previous TO 1915 they employed by off
othe two Houses, entering into bonds to execute
the work In 1915 in consequence Of the belief that
would be better for the country that the officers OF
the two Houses should be associated together in order
into this contract that DO certainly
executed, resolution was adopted (Which he ready
directing the Secretary oithc Senate and Clerk of the
House Of Representatives Immediately after the adj
ournmrnt OF that and each succeeding Congress, to
/ advertise Cor three weeks successfully, N two news
papers printed in the District Of Columbia, for propo
sails for supplying the Senate and House of Represen
tatvcs r the succeeding Congress with the necessary
stationery, printing, &c.
| lie had never heard Of this individual being con-
sdercd an officer OF either body, until gentleman
took offence at publication in the paper con-
Quoted by the public printer, and intmaed his inten
ton Of moving to dismiss him-but he backed out
from that. He was convinced that the subject,
brought up that ground, could not be sustained
Was possible that this Senate acting with political
designed hostility should set themselves to work
annu solemn contract with person to do certain
piece OF work which he had heretofore done faithfully
| Had il not been well done Had it been complained
| of From political and personal hostility these Sc
majors to dismiss the printers; and that alone
He had watched the progress of these things from
early period Of this Government up TO the present
time, and no body believed that this individual was
any thing more than employee of the Government.
1t contract entered into, and, if performed,
he 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 were 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.
u
permit him to reply to motives that he would frown
at, as unworthy and unjust unworthy of the body.
! What wasitl Suppose for moment, that Blair &
Rves, these contractors public printers, every
thing that Senators had thought proper denounce
them. What did it differ whether the individuals
had good bad character2 He not here as
the advocate Of Blair Rives He looked to the great
principle nvolved-to this act, establishing pre-
ceJent which must and forever shut the mouths OF
Senator'S TO any denunciations against his party,
being archaeological to break down vested rights
Mr.. Blair, years since lived lin Kentucky and
Of those who were now SO bitter against him
ISOLATED with him. Was he infamous then?
| Mr. X gave his testimony to the good character OF
MIR. Blair, possessed of kindly feelings and
asserted that he irouid compare honoraby Nth Sena
| tors that now accused him. He knew not who were
to be the printers but gentlemen with
political heat, running counter to all their pre-
| yious declaratons-to what they had denounced in
strong terms; to wreak their vengeance political
! foe Let the country hear 1.-THE Senate understand
/ H. IL,
they were pleased to- without the assent the Senate
\ They had made the contract and held the printers
strictly bound to its execution and performance, and
they could divest themselves of the obligations Of
thai contract but they undertook in the power their
strength TO annu this contract and without the
sent OF the other party, to set il aside.
He thought more high.handed, reckless and
worthy assumption of power, never was attempted in
any delibcrative body. 1t was sheer power unmind-
full Of ustice-of law, and the sacred obligations Of
contract and if gentlemen could exercise the power
under such circumstances it was for them to do il for
the country to understand it, for every in this
| country who is engaged in executing business under
contract to this government, to be told plainly
language could speak, do the work faithfully you
may; you have security from the moment politl-
cal party gains the ascendancy, who is hostile to you
who has private griefs personal hosity-that mo-
mcnt the to be abolished and you to be set
aside to your utter ruin let the country and the Sc
nate understand that is the case here.
| The argument all their side, and all the
ingenuity Of the Senator from Connecticut Mr. Hun
tington) endeavoring to lead Off with false scent,
would not avail him He cared not about the rule of
| the two Houses-he willing to throw it out OF
view altogether The election took place. designating
the individuals as printers; they not bound to
know whether the Senate acted according to the
luton they forward and accepted Of the terms
made to them. That was the ground; and no argu-
ment about the resolution being departed from by the
House. the constitutional power it, &c. could set
aside the simple fact, that the contract made in
pursuance of their order.
| He felt that he expending his breath in vain
by saying any thing here. The thing was settled
the fiat had gone forth. These to be sacri-
feed on the altar of party. But he warned them Of
the resut-the due result 10 themselves They had
the power, and they exercised it in way they had
denounced in the defeated party but they would open
the eyes of the country and they would what they
had right TO expect
Every American citizen, with equal rights and Ii
berries equally entitled to the protection of law
and was he TO have his character put trial without
an opportunity of being heard? Was this the liberal
and manly spirit that was TO actuato Senators the