The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-18

Carolina, and the legislatures of other States were
printed, was Of excellent quality. The amount of
printing ofthe English government was not greater
than ours: it is well executed.
MIR. McWlLLlE said that the printing was given
out under general contract. AS yet, no specimen
oprnting by the present contractors has been seen
MIR. McCLERNAND said that it seemed to him
that the number recommended 10 be printed was
too large, and unnecessary. The document may
be valuable in the hands Of commercial men and
commercial boards, but il was not generally inter
esting 70 the people. He could. therefore, see no
reason for printing so many copies. He was aware
that the document is endorsed by distinguished
Statesman, sta now IN the city, and other gentlemen;
nal improvements political hobbies. The gentle
man from Maryland observed that the printing was
badly executed. This was true 1t was done under
the contract system, which deserved to be repudi-
ated. The history of the printing of Congress was
briefly this: On the removal of the seat Of Govern
ment from Philadelphia TO Washington, Mr.. Duane
was elected public printer In the year 1871, the
work being badly done, the system was abolished;
and up to l547 it was executed by gentlemen elect
ed by the two Houses Previously, perhaps, at the
instance OF Mr.. Bolts, moved by his opposition to
Mr.. Tyler, law was passed requiring the printing
of the executive departments to be done by con-
tract; and this led to the execution of the printing
Of Congress under similar arrangement. II is
system was almost worthless. II would be waste
Of public money to print the documents such
paper, and in the way the printing was done dur
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Kentucky, said that the
document referred to was the report commerce
and navigation, and contained vast number of
statistics bearing on commercial interests On ac-
count of its value, it was usual to print large
number of il. With regard to the public printing,
it is fact that the printing of the last Congress
was badly executed. The contracts are let to the
lowest binder Whenever the work Is badly done,
the committee can make deductions from the
compensation, cut down, race. II was not to be
expected that the committee should stand in the
printing Office and direct what shall be the quality
Of the paper and the fashions of the types. They
can only judge by the work itself If the House
are deceived with the description of the printing,
they refer resolution to the Committee on
Printing, to inquire whether the law Of 1919 shall
not be restored, and better prices allowed TO
printer elected. The result Of the contract system
is this: Mcssrs. Wendell and Van Benthuysen, who
took the contract of the last Congress- say that they
suffered heavy loss, and they now ask indem-
nifty.
MIR. CONGER offered an amendment, limiting
the price of binding to twelve and half cents per
copy. His experience convinced him that the
price should be limited, otherwise there would be
no telling what the price would be. For the bind
ing of the Patent Office report of lS47 and 1913,
high a price paid. AS the gentleman from
Mississippi said that the binding can be done for
twelve and a half cents per volume, it would do no
harm to fix the amount now.
The question taken, and the amendment
agreed to.
Der of copies to be printed to five thousand
Several other gentlemen spoke for and against
MI. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, spoke of the
uselessness of printing ten thousand COPIES and ex-
pressed his belief that the House was about to COM
mencs great book publishing business at the pub
lie expense.
Mr.. CARTER remarked that the great secret of
hair fhroxs he
pie cut off from intelligence of what transpres
here. He believed that 1t would be economy to
publish the acts Of the Government and Congress,
to let the people know what is taking place. 1t is
for the neglect of this that thousands OF dollars
thrown away on the vagabonds who quarter them
selves on the Government for support. Itwould be
found that immense sums are wasted on miserable
officers Of the navy and the loafers who hang around
the city The people ought to know how the mo-
ney il expended.
Mr.. HOUSTON expressed the hope that the
McCLERsANp) would not prevail. He did not
know, apart from this report, how the people of
Mississippi would learn what nations took from her
the great staples of that State and Of the South.
Affecting the imports and exports of the country,
the report Of interest To every State and TO
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, was in favor of
printing the larger number. There was no theory
or argument in the report, Of the truth of which.
there can be doubt.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, replied to a
mark made by this gentleman, and was understood
TO saw that his constituents were not DESTROYS of OBJ
tanning minute information the subject Of the
report; neither were those Of that gentleman.
Mr.. STANTON remarked, that if his constitu-
ents were such as the gentleman represented he
would cndeavor to instruct them in an understand
ing of the subject. But he was sure that the gen.
ueman undcrraScd his constituents, as well as his
(Mr. THoMPsoN's) own. As to the observations Of
the gentleman from Ohio about the navy, he did
not know whether IL would be desirable TO discuss
the topic. He thought the country convinced
that there abuses in that branch of the Govern
ment which ought to be removed. II the gentle
man would point out the particular abuses, and the
mode by which a remedy can be applied, he would
find that members the Democratic side, and no
doubt gentlemen on the other, would have the dis
position to apply a corrective as far as possible.
But he was sure that the gentleman from Ohio
would not cast off those whom he has stgmatized as
paupers, who have served their country the
ocean, and are now in old age. Surely he would
not be disposed to cast them off into absolute pau
Mr. CARTER said that he alluded to no particu-
lar person. His objection not TO the aged,
faithful officer, but 10 that class of men who were
introduced into the service TO subsst the public
crib, or who suddenly became infrm. If search
be made, such persons be found.
Mr. STANTON said that II easy matter
TO make charges against officers Of the navy.
Mr. BROWN, Of Mississippi, remarked that II
must be evident that this course of discussion
out Of order.
The SPEAKER so decided.
Mr. STANTON merely desired 10 say that in
every practicable mode Of economy in the public
service he was ready 20 unite with the gentleman,
and would be glad If he would point out a way by
which economy could be attained.
MIR. BOCOCk, with view Of economizng time,
moved the previous question; and, under its opera
ton, the amendment Of Mr.. McCLERSASD was
jected, and
The resolution Of the Committee on Printing
agreed TO.
The House proceeded TO the execution Of the
order for the election Of officers, and voted ior
DooRKEEPEp.
The following exhibits the state Of three Intellectual
trials, viz
Mr.. Cole ...............9 80. 3d.. rs
Mr.. Randolph. .........9 SO. 81. 100
Mr.. Flood Recommendations. O.... l
Mr.. Tufts ................ 5...... 4...... I