Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-06-08


tain case sud under the strict terms Of the conac ne
printer was entitled very large sum oil money iof ne
printing Of that document, far more than was IN con'em
paton by the parties who framed that contract am ur
ther informed that though he very amply PAID oy he
terms allowed him with his own assent by the Secretary OF
the Senate and the Clerk Of the House, yet ha ne DID re-
lnqush least twohrds Of the money 70 which ne Yves
entitled under the contract submit the memorial ana
move that il be referred to the Committee Public Printing
Mr. BORLAND. should be glad II this memorial could
have another direction will state that the Committee on
Printing have already reported as fully as they could report
upon this subject some weeks ago. 90 not nnk nat 'ne
committee could ascertain any thing in reference to it.
or make report essentially different from the already
submitted
Mr.. FOOTE Will my friend allow TO suggest that
the motion Just made from the high respect entertained
for the Committee Printing and Difference the profound
knowledge which they known possess relation to all
matters connected with this subject believe that the facts
presented in this memorial WILL upon proper scrutiny lead to
the recommendation of the Senate. But
take il for granted from conversations have held with the
Senator from Arkansas well from his present decara-
tion that the committee reluctant to enter new
investigation of the subject Whilst would greatly
PREFER and the memoast evidently desires it, that the whole
matter houd remain the hands Of the committee yet be-
lievng have do that the Senator from Arkan
has deliberately declared what is his wish and
the NATTER he, doub. with authority to speak lot ne
of the committee ao and having looked into the supec
somewhat and being perfectly convinced that the memoas
has equitable claim upon this body to be released in the
sought this petton will, without meaning to be
understood in the least degree intending any oence OF as
respect any member of the Committee on Prinng inter-
pose motion for raising of special committee to conduct
the investigation of this whole matter, and to make ful re-
port at the earliest possible period.
Mr.. BORLAND When yielded the foor Tor the motion Of
the Senator from Mississippi, was about say, in justice to
myself the other members the committee that not for
the purpose of avoiding any labor that might be imposed upon
us but for the which have already stated that we IN
vesgated this subject thoroughly any period during the
session. myself upon entering upon my duties as char-
man Of the committee looked into this contract and was
then satisfied of the facts stated in this memorial that the
contractors had undertaken do the public printing upon
terms that would be runous to them addressed letter
the contractors telling them that my opinion the contract
they had entered into runous one, and advising them
ask Congress release them from their contract and per-
NIT them abandon it. urged upon them In more letters
than one and also conversation foesaw precisely what
has taken place for, although not practical printer know
enough about the printing business to foesee what ey as
printers must have known, would be the consequence OF
their contract Think therefore, that the memoras comes
here without Just cause.
Mr.. FoOTE. Will my friend bear with me suppose
it must be known him- certainly is methat 1t has
been the standing desire Of the person most Interested IN this
NATTER for long time, get rid Of this contract It has
been alluded to in this body, gravey stated freely declared
and emphacaly insisted on, that this contract is losing
one, and that therefore, it the duty Of the Senate to
him from it; but opposition made to it by the Senator
from Wisconsin (Mr WALKER) and others. feel author
lied to say that four months ago the desire embodied in
this petition entertained, but must be remembered
that was not in the power OF the memora to rsscnd
the All he could do apply to the Senate IN
proper form, and but for the interruption OF other and
important business decidedly friendly to the
memoras should long since have pressed this matter on
the attention of the Senate believe and shall ever be-
eve that there are grounds for his release this contract
which, though not in the srctness OF law, should weigh
with any generous minded man. And, as magnanmous
body representing the twenty millions Of people who cons
ute this naon under all the circumstances OF the case,
would only be of great personal grievance, but OF
gross unkndness and shameful llberay, if held the
memoras responsible according to the rigid construction OF
the contract
Mr. BoRLAND. There is no difference of opinion be-
tween the Senator from Mississippi and myself to the
main facts Of the The facts set forth in the memorial
have been before the Senate for month past and the
mee, in reporting, recommended substantially what the
memorialist seeks-and they investigate the
matter from to the end of the session. they could come
to other concusonthat the contract should be abrogaed
and arrangements made The memoralst seeks nothing
more and therefore unnecessary, think that he
should come before the Senate For this reason,
unwilling that the memorial should be referred to the Com
mitee Printing, they must make the report If
however, the suggestion of the Senator from Mississippi be
approved Of let it be referred to special committee for
another investigation; but is exceedingly desirable that the
matter should be speedily disposed Of to promote the public
interests and release these unfortunate individuals from the
contract which, executed according to its terms, prove
ruinous to them.
Mr. HALE. think this is a matter which demands the
attention of the Senate but think there is view of il
which has escaped notice. The Chairman of the Committee
Printing and suppose says truy that this printing
taken at such runousy low prices that he knew it could
not be executed Well, sir, the Senator from Virginia who
presented this petition says that the real contractor is Mr.
Thomas Richie have not the pleasure of acquaintance
with Mr. Thomas Ritche but it that, for pur
pose other he took this contract runousy low prices
Now, Mr. Richie ardent ambitious young printer,
just setting in life, and being desirous of the ecat Of
being chosen printer to Congress, undertook its work at
prices little too low, let by all relieve him. But
if the other hand, it that this Thomas Richie is
old gentleman long engaged in printing understanding as
well any in the United States what printing is
worth, and understanding perfectly the nature Of his contract
and what he about when he made it, he must have had
some object in putting it at such ruinousy low prices at
which it could not possibly be executed.-
Mr.. FOOTE. Will the honorable Senator allow me to
appeal to him. generous minded man. whether, upon
such proposition this simply for the raising Of commit
tee Of investigation he conceives right manly, proper to
attempt awaken prejudice in advance of the scrutiny of the
committee Is it not better, dignied, Senate
RIAL liberal and ar, under all the circumstances of the
to allow this committee be raised for the purpose Of
investigating the whole NATTER and them when the subject
before US in proper form, he can discuss it.
Mr. HALE. II this is young man, who has been inad-
verenty taken in not exciting prejudice against him.
but, the contrary appealing the sympahies of the
Senate in his behalf The Senator misunderstood the
OF my remarks was going say, that if il be the fact
that this such old stager that he knew all about print
ng and took the contract runousy low pces such
Senator from Arkansas knew enough about printing know
to be too low, then there have been purpose
Well, am not practical printer, but have been told by
practical printer that the object of the runousy low prices
was perfectly understood amongst the printers Of Washing
ton and that II matter Of talk among them
that this contract system Of Congress would be broken down.
and that this was the mode by which II be done.
Mr.. FOOTE. Will the Senator allow me to interrupt