Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-01-03
The state Printing.

of letting out the State printing stationery and bind
ing, to the lowest bidder. This is done for es-
pecal benefit, no doubt. One of the reasons for this
move of DIR. P. may perhaps be found In our Semi
Weekly paper of Feb. /, l84S. and in the Weekly |
immediately after, files Of which may be seen in the
State Library and at this office. We had occasion
to expose his malice and ungentemanly conduct at
that time, and be has not forgotten it. But he has
taken poor way Of wreakug revenge, it such be
his object for the action of his party. ut the
session of 1867 Gas recorded in the Journals of
the House, p 34s-355) shows to every person, that
if the wings possess any degree of truth and honor,
there cannot be the slightest proprety in MIR. Praih-
ers proposition. If this be not the opinion of every
Intelligent and sensible man, let inquiry be made of
disnerested persons who possess the requisite know
ledge, and the truth Of the matter will be demon
strated.
Witness how the system Of Mr.. Prather works in
the Congress printing. At prices tpice high as
paid by this State. the work done is only
marked by s,0indng in every letter of the type used
the work not only delayed. that are norO re-
ceying through the mails, documents which were
ordered two years ago-but the printing is done in
wretched style, and the paper and binding are
So bad that the whole utterly disgracsful to the
sand dollars, given by wing ngress to make up
the losses Of Gales & Seaton and the thirty thou
sand dollars reicf applied for by the last printers
but refused by the lat Congress- because they were
democrats!
But we have no disposition to dwell on this matter
now. We mean sometime however. to attempt TO
saghten not only the people, but jealous printers on
the subject. As part Of the history of the origin
of the present law in this State, append the fol-
lowing communication. 1t is from gentleman fully
upon the subject printer by trade, but
who has the least pecuniary interest in the pub
lie printing, and is likely to have. He has no
motive but to tell The TRUTH and he tells nothing else.
For ne State Sentinel
At the session Of 1S40-4l the year when the
democrats had only a corporals guard in both
Houses of the Legisature-owing to the signal de-
feat Of 1640 the bill for the election Of public prin-
ter first introduced Previous to that time, for
three years. Douglass 81 Noel of the Indiana Jour-
nal, printers to the Senate, and Osborn g.
Chamberlain, CT pretended agricultural paper, but
In reality wing paper in disguise-both editors be-
ing wings, having succeeded n strict party vote
over Bolton g. Livingston--were printers TO the
House of Representatives.
The wings having large majority at the ses-
sion alluded to, commenced a quarrel amongst them
selves for the spos of Office and the Indiana Jour
nal having gone into disrepute plan got up 10
establish great wing organ at tho of govern
ment to swallow up that establishment partner
ship was formed between John Bowling of Terre
Haute, and Mr.. Cole. editor of whig paper at
Centrevie, the subservient instrument of Caleb B.
Smith, Esq, who then member of The Legisla-
ture. Here Wabash and White Water in
fuence brought bear against the Indiana Journal
Caleb B. Smith and the Wabash influence united to-
gether. and brought in bill. providing for the cleo
tion of public printer, prices 20 per above
those fixed in the present law The evident object Of
this bill and the very liberal price provided, to
build up splendid whg paper at the public expense.
Poor Douglass g. Noel were 10 be put down as un-
worthy public servants. and Bowling g. Cole to be
the especial favorites Of the party. Noses were
counted. and Dowliny & Cole were found 10 have
large majority in their favor. The bill. however.
had not yet passed.
Thomas Jefferson Henley had escaped the general
overthrow of the democrats in 1640 and was still
member of the Legislature. The bill had been re-
ferred to a whg committee who reported that all
fair and right although 20 per cent higher than the
present prices. The bill had passed through the
usual routine Of Legislation aud up lis third
reading. At this Stage of the proceeding. Mr.. Hen
ley handed the proposition Of Bolton g. Pa,ison Of
ferng to perform the printing at the present prices
They had no hopes Of getting the printing, but be-
eving the bill. as il stood. perpersting fraud
upon the treasury. purely for party purposes, and
having some sympathy for Douglass & Noel. made a
calculation that was barely sufficient to enable them
10 do the work without loss. Being considered re-
sponsble in their bid the bill, Mr.. Heney's mo-
ton. was re-commiited with instructions to amend,
in conformity with said propositions Bowling e.
Cole and their friends. first. endeayored to treat
the proposition with contempt. thrown in without
sincerity; but Douglass g. Noel came forward aud
offered to do the printing The same rates. The
whole scheme Of establishing wing pnper at the
public expense, for the benefit Of Caleb B. Smith t.
Co.. blown the winds. and the bill report
cd back with the prices Of Bolton a. Pattison affixed,
when the bill passed. Bowling g. Cole had issued
proposals for publishing Of the largest and most
splendid wbig papers in the west and with much
luctance continued candidates, Notwithstanding
their golden hnnors had been torn fsom them. The
election on, under the bill, and Bowling g.
Cole elected. Mr.. Cole having no private
means to embark in an establishment for the benefit
Of the whig party, after his feathers had been cut,
retired from political life in disgust repened it is
be hoped. of his sins and out as missionary
10 China. Mr.. Bowling. who had the least to do in
the intrigue. stood bis ground; but the splendid