The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-14
w..aIssros. July ID, ls4s.
To d. Editor Of a. Unisn.


Sra: read, in your last paper, my letter 10 the
special committee Of tho House Of Representative
raised 10 investigate the prices paid for Congression-
al printing. Thai letter written at twenty or
thirty different sittings when time and inclination
dumped together" and no pressing business obtru-
dsd. think stated in the last pages Of H. which
appears the committee have lost or misaid) that
sent il to the COMMITTEES without reading il eonnset-
eddy. IL so stated, the fact 10 My impression
10, that did not read IL over after | wrote il.
have now read il over carefully, and found nothing
which desire to strike out IL has beon said that
"the great art of writing is TO know what to strike
out" II ! were master OF, or even toerable pro.
hcient in, that At, would probably strike out all
| wrote.
Now to the object Of this noSe, which 10 TO add to
or explain that part Of my letter where speak OF
the printers employed by me when | executed the
Congressional printing. Some have thought that
intended u speak Of them disparagingy. Not so
very far from it. The printers have served me we'll
and l think more highly Of them Than do OF
| any trade or any class Of society. The idea
! which l wished TO convey, was, that il the
printers TO Congress did not attend TO their
| business, soma few Of the printers, who were
a. lazy themselves, would not attend to
| It for them. believe that printers require as hule
watching any other trade profession; but
believe that on such hot days the three last w,
have had, there arc some printers who would
| not, and should not, hur themselves at work and
drinking cold water, il they were working on long
numbers, which yield large profit to the employ
ers, and know that their employers were taking
their ease and drinking their wine. | knoo this
much--that have not hurt myself at work since
got few long numbers, which put my partner and
myself in easy circumstances, TO make him and my
self rich; and know, moreover, that am not 60
ing to do IL, although ! am under greater obliga-
lions TO my partner Than any printer "a 10 either OF
Us. believe that many printers have worked
| harder Tor my partner sad myself than they would
| have worked for themselves, and harder than We
would have worked for ourselves. Finally, if
i were obliged TO entrust my work, my money, and
my secrets, all TO one man. would select printer
I hope and believe what have said will satisfy al
printers who have worked for me.
| find that had used some hard words about the
| softer SEX mean the girls employed in folding
and stitching the Congressional documents-whicf
| I wish TO soften. ] said 81 believe this 10 Do the
fact in regard TO tho folders and stitchsrs-tha
Of them charge according TO what they concev'
the profits Of the printer will bear" desire u
4 subs ituto the word many for the word "most'
l in the above sentence | have quoted. l hav
been informed by some Of them that wal
cheated by the folders; but | never CON
| claimed about il, as was able TO stand IL, and
mad no doubt but those who cheated needed all the
got, and did not. My books will prove that wa
| told truly. never inquired who they were wh
charged for what they did not do; but In giving M
testimony, felt bound to name the fact, to enabl
the COMMITTEES TO arrive at just conclusions.
| Many who estimate the cost Of the public print
ing, believe, leave out folding and stitching, phis
nop costs as much as hsprss-Vork cannot think o
my plan by which this srtrs expense for foldin
and stitching can be got clear Of certainly. know
many Of the girls who are employed on that work
and do not know one that | would not trust. IL
mad to select girls to do the work, | would tax
them. suppose the srtra are charged by those VII
cannot work as fast as others, but think themseye
entitled to a. much pay. do not know what els
could say that would tend to mend the matter; an
therefore / will say nothing moro on the subec
as il is a very delicate and painful one for me t
write upon.