The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-27


proposition itself When first into the Senate OF
the United States towards the close OF the first session IN
which served here an application was brought forward
for the purpose OF allowing-it 10 us from the
House Of Representatives, belieyeas part Of the APP
preparation BILL large addition to what was due to the
& fSs ADDITION p wan ss sosd s.
the SENATE opposed II; voted against IT, voted
against upon The ground that i not pretended
that measure upon this floor that the contract or bargain
which he had made had resulted in loss to him. and
ploiessed my enlre Willingness. the moment that such
stale 81 iacs should be made 10 appear or should be
support The proposal dssmsd /, ua6ssamiSs that The
contract with them the performance Of services result.
ing 10 loss 10 him. when the nation was amply able to
pay Tor whatever services rendered at the instance
81 their representatives then stated as an objection
the particular allowance, that at the next Congress we
should have like application 10 make large addition for
me benefit OF those contractors at lowest bdder which
= was answered that they having become contractors at
the lowest bid, no such application would be made If
made could receive no sanction favor stand now
upon precisely the principle then assumed In the hrst
evident upon all hands that the contract which
has been made Tor the doing Of the public printing been
made upon terms injurious If ruin0us the contrac
tors lw not step % inquire whether the contract which
Was made by them was made upon set oil calculations
or another II is sufficient for understand and to
believe that by enforcing the strict performance Of that
contract great loss will be sustained by the contractors
and think that that loss the government should not
compel them TO bear In the next place. Mr. President,
have been always opposed the system by which pub
the lowest bidder competition invited by which men. for
the purpose OF gaining public employment should pledge
themselves TO discharge duties Tor less than remunera
ng price, and which must in my view, necessarily and
inevitably result either in entire failure TO discharge
faithfully and promptly the contract or in unjust accu-
mutation Of loss upon the parties bound 2 discharge i
tons-Duich auctions-a thing to be given to him who
will take for the lowest priceare OF competent
understanding and therefore all is fair But man who
attended an auction who has ever brought himself
under the influence oil such exciting competition, who
has observed the influence OF that competitions upon
Others can have failed to perceive how even prudent and
Intelligent men. under ordinary circumstances carried
away into incautious. mpudent and mschieyious pur
chases. 41s
Now, Mr. President. that being the state OF things
here am disposed freely and willingly vote for the
proposition made BY my friend from Indiana, Mr.
bslcHIl am willing lc relieve the persons who have
made this contract BY paying to them just and reasona
BILE compensation for what has been done, and make
provision by which the future printing Of Congress shall
be done well, done faithfully and done promptly What
have we experienced during this session OF Congress-
The difficulty and delay in procuring any of printing
to De done the temptation and almost necessity forced
TO make Normal compliance with the contract and
themselves from ruinous loss forcing upon
mittee the necessity OF rejecting and requiring the
printing At great expense TO the CONTRACTOR OF what has
been printed under the orders of the Senate finally
posing to delay and the country the Inconvenience
q having documents not q. for preservation Sir am
IN substance to the respectable position in which Con-
gress placed when each House had its own priniers
Sas aSas .s sassosas
when. in word, neither the public the printers had,
as general rule. any right 10 complain.
| Now, sir. one word as TO the particular publication
which has been referred to hereihe publication OF the
opinions OF the judges Of the Supreme Court in certain
important case, ordered to be printed BY the Senate OF the
United States. ~ff8
Sir not only agree in what has been stated by the
senator from Indiana. that the contractor in way
70 blame IN regard to the charge made for the publication
OF that document because OF the assigned that
the price was estimated by the Secretary OF the Senate
and the Clerk Of the House Of Representatives, who
der the law and the contract. decide upon but
because further the decision made by The Secretary Of
the Senate and the Clerk OF the House Of Representa-
tves was right and proper decision. have heard
have been made in this chamber. Gentlemen have clio
sen, as most chartably suppose, without examina
ton OF this subject TO denounce and condemn the pay
ment made Tor that publication. have examined II;
have looked into the contract have examined with
lawyers eye; have carefully scanned il and say
upon my responsbiliiy as professional man and as
contract by the officers OF the Senate and the House
that publication the exposition. There no
charge against the government. Now, sir, whether the
contract arranged though, il this matter had
been foreseen, such rate of compensation would have
been given, 10 not the question. We must stand or TALL
that respect by the contract We can neither seek nor
desire escape from IL upon the ground that gave
larger rate Of compensation than was foreseen. The
contract fairly made and well understood at the time
the sum estimated by the two officers appointed f that
purpose In my Judgment after careful examination
Oh Inc Wn0le matter, fary, JUSTLY and legally ascertain
cd under the terms OF the coaract Them sir, what
the etecti Why, the printer entitled to this amount OF
compensation voluntarily renqushed large portion OF
what according to the strict terms OF the contract be-
tween him and the House, he was entitled to receive
Now, SIR, with the explanation made by my friend from
Indiana, MR. BReHT,l that this proposition is that that
particular branch OF the public printing shall be account
ed and settled for upon the terms OF the resolution OF
1872 with the reducuon proposed in this bill, seems to
me that there is nothing unreasonable unjust IN any
part OF the arrangement believe myself that II will
very materially facilitate the progress of future printing
and enable 10 have decent documents upon good pa
per- well executed. nj for circulation and proper be
preserved and, above all, my friend from Michigan
says, Mr. CAss1 delivered to proper time, received
and circulated before they get stae and the public
10 feel any interest in them Therefore, sir am ready
10 vote for the proposition. n
Mr. PRATT Mr.. President, have not reflected upon
this subject; but the amendment as understand IT,
sst of two prop0sinons--the one, in reference 10
the printing already done. and retrospective in its action,
and the other in reference TO printing yet TO be DONE and
consequently prospective in its character. Now ask The
honorable from North Carolina, lMr BADcER.1
or any else, TO tell upon what principle il is in
ference TO printing which has already been done under
contract between the government and the individual
who performs the printing, that the government is to
Ter into another contract in reference TO that printing
fomed II has been finished and delivered al prices slip
uaed and agreed upon BY contract before the work
done Now the proposition s that shall not be paid for
as agreed upon. rather that in addition to what has
been paid under the contract there s TO be paid under
contract the price that paid under the
resolution Of 1919, minus foriy-fve per cent.
Mr. BADGER. Mr.. President, ii my friend wishes an
Al, pAir,rb M, y.nv.,-., "A, p~..;a.. 1. All :.