Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-07-24
Conversational Printing.

A Joint resolution has passed both Houses OF Congress
reducing the compensation Of the printers those bodice.
% per cent on The fixed Ia 1919 for all documents
Of which than 5000 copies shall be ordered and
-, per cent when that number shall be direct.
ed to be printed. This reform take eject not from
the passage Of the resolution, but from the
Of the present session OF Congress We inclined
doubt tho justice OF giving this resolution retrospective
opersnon-Unquestionab il is wrong to do unless
there was. some OF the members argued, understand
ing when the present Printers elected that the rates
Of compensation subject the future regulation Of
Congress. We satisfied that the reduced rates. the
profits will be very large; but nevertheless Congress
agreed pay hold that it has right to violate
that agreement The subject deliberately discussed
but the debate reported in the In,elgeneer and only
one side Of it in the Union. Hence unable,
cept from single remark Of Mr.. Henley OF Indiana, "a
Loco) understand the grousd upon which its advocates
justify this POST JaetO provision. That gentleman de-
eared that he the proposed reduction land
that take effect from the Of the session,
as according his understanding the printers were elect
ed with view of probability OF a reduction of prices"
II there such understanding, Of the
tive feature Of the resolution is not Objectionable. Other
wise, repeat, il lie unusuhable.
Believing that the compen OF the printers Con-
gess has been exuavagsnt, have advocated redue-
ton and that, beg leave say. without the slight
reference TO the gentlemen holding the Office
But the great evil s touched by this feeble remedy
The Office ought abolished alioge he and the printing
put by contract the bidder and glad
that Mr.. Benton, of New York, has submitted
solution this effect. Should this proposition succeed
the divorce between the Government and the Political
Press, which regard desderatum, will have been
eected-no by preventing editors Of political papers from
doing the work Of Congress, for the field of competition
under the system, will be open them to all
Others but by deprving political majority Of the power Of
pensionins editor Washington with understanding
that he be the organ and the champion of the EIecu
system which shsckles the freedom OF the press
and holds inducements wink and connive the
msdeeds Of power upon whom is dependent for
these golden showers. There may be editors who, in
despite of these seductive influences, will aloud and
spare who will msntan their independence and
speak their sentiments without reserve offend whom 1t
may and however injurious that may be TO their
pecunsry But better to lead
such men-snd they very rarely to be found-into
temptation.
The resolution reducing the pay Of the printers from the
commencement of the session. not passed by party
vote-indeed, OF the decided Administration
voted for it, and of the Wings against it-snd
are, that reason, inclined suppose that is
the printers either in the reduction proposed
in giving that reduction Retrospective effect The
vote stood Ayes l09, Noes So. or the Virginia deegs-
uon, Messs Atkinson Drornsoole and Pendeou voted in
the affirmative, and Messrs. Bayly, Bednger. Brown,
Chapman Hubbard, Hunter, Mcdowell, Seldom and Tired
way in the negative. Messrs. Leake, Johnson and Hop
kins did vote.
the foregoing type perceive that the
House Of Representatives has agreed by very large
joniy, Mr. Bentons resolution the public
printing hereafter BY contract, See Postscript head