The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-17
CITY OF wAsHINGToN, SUNDAY MORNING. MARCH u 1850

printing without sustaining considerable loss ask,
now, to which OF these congressional printers this pre-
lminary printing is to be senl II Is not congressional
document, in the ordinary Of the II to be
an act OF Congress- il anythng and the printing OF the
acts OF Congress does not come within this contract II
ls not an executive document report OF commit
tee, IN any ordinary OF the TERMS but il is act OF
Congress; and should like to know 10 which OF these
public printers my honorable friend proposes to send this
species OF public printing II is probable that this act
will not get through the Senate and House OF Representa-
tves before the close OF this month"; and then the time will
be close a. hand when ought TO begin TO act under the
bill think the honorable chairman Of the committee is
entirely right II should be left in.the hands OF the Cen
sus Board Whether they have done right or wrong It is
sy III Al s
session clothed them with the power Of making con-
tract for the preliminary printing do not know but
They acted, however. in good faith and they have
gone on and made contract for this preliminary
printing with printing concern 10 this cty-Gideon
Co. That concern has purchased very large
amount OF paper, not ordinary paper not paper made
BY machinery, but paper that is made entirely by hand
OF linen, and made with immense care. This concern
have this paper which is adapted TO other purpose
hand and about 10 order this printing to be done
and i is proposed to give it TO the congressional printers
and for them TO do il at an enormous loss, while the
other concern is prepared to do II in proper way We
compel the congressional printers to furnish any
other paper than that which they use. specimens Of
which have here on % ny desk and which s totally N.
printers to get this hmsy French paper and do the print
ing upon the terms upon which they have contracted TO
fest % the honorable chairman y the n ' on
Printing, though he knows much more Of the whole
subject Of printing than dot must be entirely manifest
to him, he has at all attended 10 the matter. that such
tall TO pieces in the hands OF the deputy marshals. II
requires the very best OF paper such as has been ex
There is doubt that the Census Board entertained the
opinion that they authorized, and that their duty
required them. 70 make such contract; and would
now be inexpeden, in the very highest degree, to repu
dat their action. and throw the printing into other
hands You will not get paper of the proper quality.
Everything will have TO Be done in hurry. and you viii
be forced to take paper Of inferior quality It
therefore OF the highest importance that the business
should be done il has been done. shall listen with
man of the Committee the Census, [Mr DAvIs,l but
TO my mind il is perfectly manifest that the propo.
ston OF the honorable senator from Arkansas Mr..
BoRLASDl IS entirely nappcable TO this species OF print
ing which is contemplated, the preliminary printing
connected with the census; and, although have
confidence in the system OF underbiddng yet il may be
best that the ultimate printing, that which is called the
census should be left in the hands OF the Department of
the Interior, to act with it, under the existing law, ad
vertsing IT. and letting the printers oil this city and OF the
country at large come in and bid for il.
Mr.. DAWSON. The Senate will pardon me while
make one or two observations There is necessity
now for discussing The printing Of the compendium
which will be presented 10 the next Congress The
sus will be taken throughout the United States and the
manuscript returned and sent to Washington city Then
compendium being laid before The next Congress il viii
be for that Congress 10 decide what number Of copies
shall be printed. the in which the printing shall
be done, aud by whom. does moi belong I, this Con
gress least is not necessary for this Congress to
act All they have to do now, is TO carry out the law
Of last session, which to have schedules prepared
together with instructions, which go forth to the
various parts OF the United States Now, we formed
Board OF Census TO do that very thing Such has been
the uniform practice from the foundation OF this govern
made for about thousand dollars worth OF paper and
about halt million pages OF these schedules are
already IN readiness 10 be forwarded The only remain
IN ha h.
accompany these schedules TO the various parts of the
country, which but small natter and which is placed
before the Census Board
Now see no necessity for this discussion Of the pub.
lie printing none at all When the next Congress
shall meet, the will be before them and the extent Of
these statistics. together with the census will be under
Stood the number OF pages necessary, and they will
make contract for the printing undersandingy
than be done am against referring this power
10 any individual now, but would leave until the next
session Of Congress. When the paper shall be returned
with the whole census condensed may be better pre-
pared 10 show what ought TO be done than now.
Mr. BORLAND. deem il proper TO say that in the
terms OF my amendment as originally made IT, there
was nothing that came within the scope OF the remarks
Of the senator from Connecticut My amendment in the
the suggestion OF some gentlemen, accepted modihca-
ton OF u BY lnterlinng the words, "or preparatory
printing fot taking the same" My original amendment
did not contemplate anything OF that kind II did not in
cude the census tables which were already prepared.
did deem II necessary that that expense should be
incurred again. Therefore, all that the senator
printing had application 10 my original amendment
And il il scompeient for 10 do propose TO strike
all IN reference the preparatory printing and then
the amendment applies only the printing OF the returns
That being The case. the objection OF the senator from
Connecticut that this printing cannot be done IN time to
take the census. loses all It's force ts 10 the returns
therefore, 10 which my amendment will apply matter
who may be employed 10 do the printing
Mr. BADGER. wish TO ask question OF my friend
from Arkansas, by way OF understanding what is the
purport OF this amendment. confess have not been
quite able understand how his plan is intended to be
carried into effect Suppose this amendment is adopt.
ed by the Senate presume the Senate does not con.
template tina, the printing shall be advertised for and
by the Secretary OF the Senate and the Clerk OF
ton which regulates the printing Of Congress Surely
he contemplate that the officers OF the two houses
should be engaged in advertising for proposals TO do
this printing But suppose he does
Mr. BORLAND, (interposing.) II the senator will al
low me, ] will say 10 him that he misconceives
thing My amendment does not contemplate that
MIR. BADGER. Then understand the senator does
not contemplate anything OF that kind Now, let Us see
how this amendment be carried into effect In order
which the senator's amendment refers That resolution
classes the printing IN ve classes TO be let out sepa
rate Jobs Mr. b. here read the resolution referredo TO-
Now, SIR, suppose we adopt the amendment who Is TO
DO the pnnhngf The printing not 10 be let ont under
his amendment the senator says: person ~ TO be
selected 10 do The printing by either OF the two officers
have named IN the two houses, by any other person
Then who is to do the printing HIS amendment gives
guideihe joint resolution gives US none and il
his amendment is adopted there is in the first place. no
person to do the printing, and authority provided to
select the person do IT, Then suppose you have person
selected upon what terms is II 10 be done WHY, here
i've classes OF work which have been taken, fact