The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-10
INTELLIGENCE BY THE MAILS.

WASHINGTON, April 8, 1S4S.
The Public Documents-Ihe Printing Binding
-Wrapping Experimentation Of
Sympathy for France.
Notwithstanding the opposition which was, at
the commencement of the session, made to the
public printers, they have gone on, and so far,
executed their work with remarkable expedition,
and now we hear no complaints against them
1t would have well answered the purposes of
certain individuals, if Wendall and Van Benthuy.
sen had been crushed; for, in such an event, the
printing of each House would have been given
to political favorite, at three times the amount
now paid to the present officers. But we find
that the economy OF the House is proposed to be
extended to the public binding, which has al
ways been executed by the printers. Mr.. Van
Dyke has resolution which he intends to offer,
inviting proposals. If"profts will ensue," why
not permitthe public printers, in consideration of
their low prices-less than journeymens wages
to ENJOY them Why, with the jack-knife of re-
form, pare the flint? Is there any one behind
the scene whose appetite is so ravenous for the
crumbs of patronage that the former usage must
be reversed, and the arrangement for the binding
already made, be thwarted? We have no lnte-
rest in this matter, nor have we spoken word to
the printers on the subject; but justice requires
that the doings of politicians should be expose d
Three or four carts would not, perhaps, contain
all the public documents which have been order
ed for each member of the present Congress-, to
send to his constituents. Only think-a hundred
thousand of the report of the Commissioner OF
Patente! We well remember that several years
the charge that members, after voting themselves
documents, such as Blair Rives' Globe, state
papers, documentary history, etc., actually sold
them to book dealers In this city, at third or
half price and that the book dealers afterwards
cold these same books to Congress at full price
But the committee never made report. Why?
We do not know; but 1t was said there were
too many members Implicated to render the IN
curry successful. Far be it from our intention
to accuse any member Of the present Congress
of selling documents. We are not cognisant OF
any fact to justify the allegation but we do say
that the city is flooded with printed documents
the grocery stores have them In any quantity
and whether you buy pound OF soap or OF sugur.
it is wrapped in "pub: doc" In charity. we
would rather suppose that there Is a subterra-
mean passage to the sheet room OF the printers
The white paper, which costs them eleven cents,
is sold for four after it is printed We know
that our friends in Congress will thank US tor
wants, instead of taking documents to the post
Office, deposite them In the grocery stores.
1t has often been subject OF wonder that the
reporters are enabled to note the proceedings of
Congress as accurately as they do, especially as
they have limited means of looking into the pub
lie documents to aid them. Neither branch fur
nishes documents or bills to the reporters, and
they are procured by them from members only
occasionally. Amidst such wastetul appropra-
tons for printing, it would be no more than fair
that the reporters should be supplied, especially
as the public, not themselves, would be thereby
and wet at four cents a pound, they might posi-
bly, enter into competition with the merchants
The Senate did not sit to- day and In the House
Mr.. Stewart, of Pennsylvania, moved that the
resolutions from the Senate, rendering congratu
lations to France, be considered. But to this
there was objection by Mr. Rockwell, Of Connec
ticut, who succeeded in his effort to 60 into com
mitteee of the whole, to do something for lndl-
yiduals having claims against the government
FELIX.