Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-13
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MR.. RITCHIE,S CASE.

Washington Union, for relief from losses incur
red bg his contract for the public printing, pre-
sents one Of those cases which depend so entirely
on matters of fact that, without having investiga
ted the subject, we have never formed any definite
opinion. We are free to say, however, that, as
suming it to be true that Mr.. Richie will, in his
old age, be reduced to great pecuniary embarrass-
ment unless he obtains the relief ne asks, our
sympathies have been altogether on his side. 1t
is perfectly apparent that one of the chief obsta
Giles in the way of his application has been the
rancorous hostility of those extremists in Con-
gress from both sections of the Union, whose eff
forts to bring trouble upon the country, his
patriotic support of the measures of adjustment
contributed, in no small degree, to thwart. But
whilst it is true that he has had to encounter an
unworthy opposition Of this kind, it is also true
that his claim is resisted by many upon honest
convictions of the improperly of granting it.
One important question involved in the matter re-
lates to the objects with which he undertook the
printing contract at ruinous bids. 1t is alleged,
that he did it advisedly, with the avowed purpose
of breaking up the whole contract SYSTEM whilst
he expected to secure remuneration for the money
he should sink, through the liberay of Con-
gress This Mr. Richie wholly denies, and he
asserts that he entered into the contract and has
executed it, in coed faith. Another unfortu-
nate point in the case is the fact that Mr..
Richie himself was not the original osten-
sibe contractor, but only the security of one
Belt, printerin the Union office. Then there is
dispute as to the extent OF the loss which has ac-
TTnJar cypb In
it is not surprising that Mr.. Ritchie's application
should have been stou thy resisted, in each house
of Congress, by gentlemen who entertained for
him no personal illwill, and who were actuated
solely by sense of public duty. Amongstthese
we are sure, was Senator Pearce, of Maryland,
who. when Mr. Foote brought up the relief reso-
luton few minutes before the adjournment.
declared that he could not allow it TO be passed be-
fore he laid before the Senate a statement of the
case, the materials of which he had in large bulk
on his desk. The resolution, it will be recollect
ed, had been sent from the House of Represen-
tatives at very late day, and had failed to have
its sec ond reading the Friday preceding the
adjournment by reason ofohjection made by aIr
'furney of Tennessee. If Mr.. pearce believed
<as no one can doubt that he did, that the claim
was unjust, and that a thorough analysis of its
merits was important TO proper decision by the
Senate, he cannot be accused Of making fac
tious opposition by insisting upon his right to
speak,
Under the most favourable view of the case
napposing the contract to have been entered into
win luli expectation ofperformng it at tho rr
ces stipulated, 1t Is still grave question whether
Congress does not virtually set at nauebt every
principle OF the contract system and do great
practical injustice by awarding contracts to the
lowest bidder and afterwards paying him more
than his deficit. The practice of granting relief
to losing contractors must inevitably have the eff
feet ofdePrivng bidders at fair prices of all chance
OF obtaining work. And it becomes peculiarly
Objectionable when the successful bidder is not an
expert in the business, and offers terms which
those who are experts cannot venture to compete
with
Notwithstanding these considerations, we should
have been well pleased if Congress had thought
proper to relieve Mr.. Richie, for it is ptable
sight 10 see venerable man like him stricken
down in his old age, and with blows dealt in part
at least, by malicious spite.
Mr.. Foote has published in the Union a short
speech which he intended to deliver in the Sem
ate, and some extracts from which, presenting
the claim in an imposing aspect, we subjoin.
Here is man, venerable by public services hereto.
fore rendered 10 the country, not less than bv his ad
vanced age and ae high moral qualities which he has
constantly evmced throughout long career Of dignity
and Of use ulness who has entered into with
Congress for the execution OF the public printing This
contract he has faithfully performed, the Printing
Committee OF The other House formally reported but
three days ago. This contract turns out in the course
OF its TO be OF oppressive character
II has involved him IN most serious debts, and unless
you relieve him by your generosity his ruin is nevita
bic. He will not only be unable to carry your own
work but the patriotic newspaper which he has long
conducted with honour TO himself and advantage to the
country must TO be published. The very means
which the publication OF that paper would have supplied
for lis own support have been already exhausted the
efforts made faithfully TO carry into effect the burdensome
contract referred to- The press OF the Union must stop;
all the property OF its respected editor mlst be at once
transferred to tie trustees Tor the benefit OF his generous
creditors and even the lille which he has accumulated
Iii the course OF long and aborous life must be
treiy swept away from him. Ii you refuse him relief
YOU eonsgn one oil the best men Of The reDublic and
the large family dependent upon hin. TO utter poverty
but, ihank God, not disgrace Poor he will be but still
conscious OF inv ard purity OF heart and proud Of having
done nothing al any period OF his lte Of nature to
subject him TO deserved discred Unparayzed by your
hostility, re Will 20 elsewhere 10 seek honorable EN-
pioyment tor the maintenance Of that family And do
You not tel si mat the ympathies of us and gen
erous people will follow him in his retirement?
Mr. Gales The experienced editor OF the ational In
telgencer was frank snd liberal enough 10 say, Sat
urjay last that acc Grding 10 the OF his ty pa
cent resolution as affairs managed ia his we-egu-
lated estsbl shine he would be able in his opinion
10 make $4,000 under i-snd this on the work OF two
sessions OF Congress. Mr. Seaton declares that he
would not take the printing Of the Congress so
FER cent reduction, and mat al 30 per cent he should
scarcely expect 10 make any profit. Thus, whist this
contract pree would F0a Mr. Richie, ard if' iesolu
ion would only allow small p oft, II seems that
there some gentlemen here who begradge him even
that
IT you crush MIR. Richie, you arrest by the aet
tie completion of The pubcpinng Al the documents
on hand must remain unfinished. The Patent Office
Rennris n Nh. sa..nna i.sle he has not The