The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-26


only make such suggestions or explanations ne
ee6sary from Twill merely state now sir, that we
moved BY the general consideration. entertained b.
the committee and the whole Senate that did not get
proper time the documents ordered be printed by the
Senate; and embarrassment in the transaction OF the
business OF the Senate was the consequence Il has be-
absolutely necessary therefore, to adopt mode
BY which more expedition could be procured. These
propositions are, in substance, the there is slight
difference as to the manner They extend TO the same
Mr.. WALKER Mr.. President. il | understand the
proposition amend II does not seem 10 me TO be very
modest one It's that the contractors be released from
their contract upon the REIMBURSEMENT OF all claim tor
indemnity for the performance OF their own contract
know not, sir, nor do care 70 know very infinitely,
what are the reasons that have led 70 the failure IN the
performance OF this contract II il be that the printers
were mistaken, when they made the contract there -
something mysterious In IL for II occurs TO me- that men
acquainted with the business Of contracting Tor Congress
with the officers oil the government, and printers, ought
TO know, well as those with whom they contracted al
what rate they could do it, Il to me that those
who 2 take he printing At "a reasonable ,1e
made their bid in good faith they Intended to execute
il when they madet very well; but Il they intended to
with 's view ai,erwards 70 obtain Ia1aer price when
others would have taken the printing out and have ex
ecued il is treating Congress improperly and ought not
to be sanctioned.
Now. sir, thinking as do in this matter. transac.
ton between individuals, this proposition amended as
follows would suit my fancy. ltis amendment to
the proposition reported by the committee
The amendment is to add as follows:
That proper legal steps be Immediately taken
penalties for the non-perormance oil any contract con
tracts for doing the public printing q the present Con-
gress
This sir, would set an example to those who dis
posed 10 bid with improper motives II such be the fact,
although do not charge il, that they bid with mpro-
ger motives they should stand warned Y future 2
printing has not been done. II has been lying back
ever since this proposition has been before Congress-
holding on until some motion made, and they are SUI
70 N he ~ n with M
mense job TO execute. Sir, il the Senate decides that
they are thus to be ihed with. be il SOL but for
whether the men be political friends Or political foes il
matter of entire indifference to but up TO the contract
will hold these individuals Let those who have inves-
,igated the subject explain it. They say it is equally
called for-when it is shown that this Senate ought to
be generous TO the contractors, am perfectly willing to
Join with those who so. Until then am not willing
10 let the printing under the old system to the contractors
This is amendment enforcing the penalties upon the
contractors who have not executed the printing for which
they have contracted This is the only way we can be
saved by prompude in this matter at least, sir, this
is my opinion: move that this be appended 70 the
original proposition
nal proposition, and also the amendment that ne might
understand the connexion.
The resolution, with the amendment, was then read BY
4 The VICE PRESIDENT stated the question to be upon
the amendment Of the senator from Wisconsin, IAlr
" Mr. Mr. cortland Mr.. President. the amendment Of,
fered By the senator from Wisconsin, mir WALKER,l
will beg leave to say, is not at all necessary as pres
ent laws and he present bonds given ey sne
ing the contracts have been violated canno see-n-
asmuch the power already conferred BY existing laws
il is made the duty oil certain persons to enforce those
laws they have been violated or the contract violated
the necessity for adopting such resolution The senator
from Wisconsin Mr. WALLER, says that the proposition
or amendment which | offered is certainly not very
modest one Well sir 4 do not really know what mean
ing is attached to the word modest in that connexlon
II means that i is an extrayagant proposition, do not
The amount to be paid for the printing mentioned in
this resolution do not consider very extayagant At
any rate il is very immaierial em and Is materially
less than was paid for printing many years ago. and
since which time very great reduction has been made
the OF printing In branches OF the business
very considerable reduction OF the cost has occurred
in other branches, it has increased. Upon the WHOLE
there has. perhaps, been decrease indeed know that
there has do not think that reduction has been great
ter all events not materially greater than the reduc
ton proposed 10 be made by this resolution as compared
with the sums formerly paid.
On the score OF cost therefore, do not think that il
can be considered an extravagan Or as the honorable
from Wisconsin Mr. WALKERl chooses 10 char
acterize il, an immodest proposition.
Then, sir to the proposition TO release the contrac
tors: do not think that that Is either an extrayagan
or an immodest proposition SIMPLY propose 70 DO
very proper thing. Here are individuals who have en-.
tered toto contract with the government OF the United
Sta,et and they sayand not only do they say but the
facts shoic--ihat they have made unfortunate con-
tracone which they cannot execute without serious Pc
cunary loss Well the proposition is 10 relieve them from
the difficulties into which they have fallen, and 10 pro-
coed in another way have the work done. Now, Mr.
President, for il il be possible to avodit with any
think like due regard 10 the public interessl Tor one
am unwilling 10 involve in ruin individuals who have
had transactions with the government in consequence Of
their imprudence misfortune. Ii IT be extrayagant or
immodes TO make proposition 10 avoid doing so, then
perhaps am liable 10 the charge. am unwilling as an
individual in any business transaction whatsoever, TO IN
volye the necessity OF ruin upon any one, or TO insist
upon the fall extent OF my legal rights with extreme
rgor and especially when great advantage can result
myself at the expense OF the pecunary ruin OF another
As senator upon this noor the execution OF my pub
would in the prosecution OF my own individual rights. 1
am. therefore, willing that individuals who have made
unfortunate contract, and against whom there - no
evidence that they have been aciuated by corrupt inn
proper mo,ives-l willing all times 10 say 10 them,
viii release you, and take the business into my own
hands, and make other disposition OF it, and what
sort OF disposition A disposition BY which no indi-
would be subsefred As 10 the manner in which should
be DONE consider unnecessary TO 20 into deailat this
time Our work is not done and we all feel the neces
sity OF having II done promptly and we'll Under the
present arrangement. the public interests are not subser
sve and therefore propose to make another arrange
ment The committee after the best and most thorough
investigation which they have been able 10 make have
submitted their proposition Tor one KIND Of arrangement
and by my amendment, propose different arrangement
in one particular My proposition is materially the same
that OF the committee. That simply authorizes con.
tract the part Of the Senate and the House Of Repre-.
senatves with printers, for the performance OF the pub
lie work The amendment presented by myself proposes
10 appoint certain individual to do the work This is
the only material difference.
1 -.