The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-19


PRINTING OF CONGRESS WING ECON
OMY-W HIG CONSISTENCY-W H IG
HONESTY-A PERFECT SPECIMEN OF
WHIGGERY.
Read, Read!
In 1919 The prices Of c ngress printing were fiX-
ed by joint resolution of both Houses of Con.
greSs aid remained without change until 1910.
At the Session OF 1899 40, the House of Repre-
senta ives, in which the Democratic Parry had a
large majority, appointed committee to ''consid-
or aud Investigate the subject of the public print
ihg and to report what prices ought to be paid as
a just and reasonable compensation to the printer
elect for ices by him 10 he performed" sc.
Having taken all abundance of testimony, the
committee repored oh the 2Glh March. 1870, re-
commehdi. G a reduction equivalent to l5 per cent
in the plices Of Congress P'inti g, (See Docu-
ment 29S, II r Congress, Isl Session)
Sundry offers were made on that occasion to do
the work at a reduction of 20 to 25 per cent upon
the established prices; but the Democratic majori
ty of the committee, Casting behind them dena-
gnaui,m and cap-trap, aud actuated as well by JUS
tce to the p.nter as by public economy, recon-
mehded oily such reduction as would sill leave
afairprolt. In theirreport they sad:-
y "This committee venture 10 a. sert, that while
the House OF Representatives feel bound, on eve-
ry proper occa ion, to practice economy and re-
uenchment in he public expenditures, they do not
deem it to be their duty, or consistent with the
character Of the people they represent to withhold
from the laborer the hire Of which he is worthy, or
pay to their printer less than just and reasona.
BILE compensation for services rendered A sordid
and avariciouS system of remuneration to public d.
gents. is much to be deprecated as lavish and
extrayagant expenditure of the peoples mon
ey."
These sentiments were just, honest, and Demo-
cratic. They accordingly limited the reduction
they recommended TO l5 per cent. Their views
were conculred in by the House aud a resolution
to that effect was adopted. On these terms the
printing of Congress was done by Messrs. Blair L.
Rives during the balance of the 26th Congress
The result was, reduction upon their bills and
saving to the Government of SEVENTEEN
THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND
TWENTY DOLLARS
On this committee of 1899 40, were two Wings,
George Epdns, Low Senator from Maine, and
Rice Garland, of Louisiana! They were not sat
islied with the reduction whith the Democratic Ma
ority proposed, and made separate report to show
how much more economical the Wings were than
the Democrats. In this report they say
"Mr. Gideon says. where the pri.ting Of both
Houses is done at the same Office, it can be done
wit profit tn the printer at f,centyJce per cent.
less than the rates fixed by the law of 1919"
'Mr Stambaugh, acting in concurrence wi h
Mr.. Cameron, an experienced aud competent per-
son III The business of printing offered proposals to
do the printing at twenty five per cent less than
the rates fixed by the resolution There is 10
doubt of his ability to have complied with his en-
gagemeuis."
Gales s. Seaton would do 1t twenty per cent
less
Again, say our honest Whigs,--"The under
signed are compelled TO believe, that the profits on
public printing at this time, cannot be less than
SEVENTY TO EIGHTY PR CENT; and ma
king deduction Of twenty-five per cent. will still
leave as high rite ofprot is stated to be prop
er by any of the witnesses"
So they reported resolution to reduce the pri-
css Of the printing i,oentyoe per cent and in the