The New York herald., 1850-04-30

Tnr GovrRNmrNr PRrNnNG-WuAr's IN TUE
WIND Mr.. James G.. Harvey, a correspondent
a"Veritas, ,""Vator," ''Independent," and clerk in
Mr.. Secretary Ewngs ofiice--hls made very
we're charge against Father Ritchie, which shows
that this venerable but busy man is not to escape
one Of the modern Washington Investigations"
Some obscure individual, it appears, who turns out
to be foreman in Father Riches office, got a
contract for printing, and made up bill for ten
thousand pamphlets, Of less than two hundred
pages. the sum total Of which only forty thou
sand dollars-or four dollars each copy. Similar
books or pamphlets can be obtained. better cxecut-
ed, for about shilling, in this city. Even in
Washington, where the same understanding that
exists among the stool-pgeons and thieves Of this
city, with regard 10 punder. IL usually maintained.
the cool forty thousand dollars to have been
deemed even too much to pay all the commissions,
presents. and profits connected with the job: and
the whole question was finally submitted to an ar
biter for his opinion. Father Ritche was called
in looked at the $4,000, turned over the leaves Of
the pamphlet, felt in his pocket, and discovered al
most perfect vacuum, and said that Sl2, 900 would
be enough for such work-ibout three times as
much a. il was really worth. This in many a
case, might have been unsatisfactory 10 the con-
tractor. Ii might have been deemed a severe de-
csion; but, Mr.. James G.. Harvey intirnates, it
must have been perfectly satisfactory, for the real
contractor, the Interested 10 receive the twelve
thousand dollars, the poor printer who 10 have
his hill cut down, was Father Ritchic himself
New, is this 10 be believed 7 Is il to be supposed
that Father Richie. experienced as he IL. is to be
caught in snoh business as this An nvesiga-
ton will show the folly Of il. We canno,-dare
noi--will not entertain that any such delibcratve
and profitable arbitration could be proved in wash-
ineton. Yet. we fear that such tricks may have
been attempted, and that they will be
attempted again and again. There are men
IN Washington, who fight the battles of the
nation. Of Senator, of Representatives, OF
the cabinet, and of tie President. who quar-
rel by "the book Of aIiihinc;ic,' year in and
year cut; bu, now they arc fighting among them
selves about the printing and spols, aud keeping
back The pnbhc documents white they settle their
difficulties. Their printing. When il does appear,
is exccmblc unfit for present use, and unworthy
OF pfcseration, done up with the cheapest ink,
that will rot out and fade ont in few years, aud
be- monument Of disgrace to the country.
Why does no, the govenmen, take this matter
in handl Why should not the government have
printing Office and paper miil as well az an ar-e-
nai or dock yard They employ the best Possi-
bie method Tor having the worst possible work.
and are cheated hourly aud duly by cXorbitant
mposiiions. The government should Issue jour
nal. Under the supervision Of the department of
printing. do AL its own printing, sni cut of,
ai once aud for ever. al the lccchcs who arc
continually sucking the golden blood out of the
Treasury. They arc full now. and should drop oil,
while the government should take care to kcepin
a Lcathy state, 60 as to permit no more OF these
Thirsty wricglcrs 10 feed themselves to sIrfcii.
A good. wcH.eslbIishcd government printing
house would he a national blcssing. shall we
have ~