The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-06
DAILY NATIONAL WING.
WASHINGTON, ID. G.
TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 6 1919.
coNGREssIONAL PRINTING.

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TUESDAY MORNING., FEBRUARY 6, 1919.
CoNGREssIONAL PRINTING.
With the exception of the National Ar-
chircs, now in course Of publication by
Messrs. Blair * Rivcs, and edited by Peter
Force, esq, there is not volume of public
documents in existence, which, in our opin-
ion, is worthy either Of Congress, or Of the
printer. All the Congressional printing,
since the foundation Of the Government, is
Of an inferior order Of Typography. The
reason for this inierority is, doubtless, to be
found in the fact, that Congress has never
yet sought to secure the execution Of its
printing in the best style aud on the best
paper. The public printer has always been
regarded, and is so regarded now, as an enc
my of the public Treasury, as somebody who
is endeavoring to rob it Of its contents. No
one seems to think, that the labor of printing
is Of much value, and when the aggregate Of
a sessions printing comes to be known, Con-
gress shrlnks back from il with astonishment,
and seeks to lessen the expenditure, with
out regard to the absolute requirements Of
the public service. Money enough Tor many
years was paid to have the printing done
in the very best style of Typography, and on
the very best linen paper, but it was not
paid under regulations proper to effect this
object.
The public printing Of the English Gov
eminent is credit 10 the nation, bu! il is
never done al the expense Of the printer
1t is paid for Literally, and the printer re-
eeives fair profit for his labor. Ii is let
out on contract, not to the lowest bidder,
but to the bidder who will do it best at fair
prices. TIE typographical society prices,
which are regulated by the law Of supply
and demand are allowed in the estimate, for
composition, Sc The paper manufacturers
prices, which are regulated by the market,
are paid. The labor Of all other persons is
paid Tor according to standard prices Of the
various crafts to which they belong, and then
the master employer is allowed a fair remu-
neration and profit for his time and on his
capital. In this way justice is done to all
parties, and the result is the appearance Of
books that reflect credit upon the Govern
ment and the printer. Now, we should like
to know, why our Government cannot pur-
sue the same plan' There is no reason that
we can conceive Of for refusing to adopt this
policy.
Nothing would be easier than to declare,
By law, that the prices of the Typographical
society Of the District Of Columbia shall be
paid for composition, and all other labor per-
tanning to printing, regulated By that society,
that the market price shall be paid for linen
paper, OF snch and such sizes, weighing so
much 10 the ream, that the capitalist and con-
tractor shall be paid the ordinary mercantile
rate, thlty-three per cent on the amount OF
his bills as 4 fair profit on his capital en-
ploycd, and remuneration for his time, that
he shall enter into judgment bonds for the
faithful execution Of his work, that his bills
Shall only be paid as given parcels Of work
shall be delivered, and that such and such
public documents shall be deliverable, 50
many hours after they shall be placed in the
hands Of the contractor In this way, and
IN this way alone, do we think it possible for
Congress to secure the execution Of their
printing, BY other persons, in a manner cred
table TO themselves and to the printer. In
order TO ensure the selection Of contractor
Of sufficient capital and skill, provision
might be made requiring proof Of these par
ticulars.
The next best plan to secure the public
printing 10 be done ip proper manner, is
to establish public printing office, as is done
in France. Perhaps this is more feasible
plan than the English system 1t is certain,
that Congress would have better control
over their own printing Office and the Off
GERS thereof, than over 4 contractor; but the
thing is 50 much out Of our way of thinking,
that we doubt whether it could ever be adop-
led, However, the subject is one Of such
interest, that we are persuaded some other
mode Of executing the public printing will
be resoTted TO, than that which formerly ex-
isted, and now exists.
.
t5-The public viii not forget that Mad
ame Bishops concert takes place this eve
ming, at Odd-Fellows Hall. We predict for
her full house, for the deHeiiani Of Wash
ngton are not backward in recognizing
the presence among them Of such superior
artistical skill as Mrs. Bishop and Mr..
Bochsa are possessors Of.
tas,.See Mr.. Brisio,c's card in another
column. We have seen specimens Of i'm
provement made BY his pupils, both ladies' and
gentlemen, in one course of lessons, which
wonld induce any ore DESTROYS of attaining
the accomplishment Of a beautiful hand. 10