Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-02-27

Convention TO superlntend the Enrolling ana fuDcaon
of the new Constitution. In article Of the 18th In
stant stated that the only complaint we had to make
about the was, that the printing cas taken acay
from Indianapolis under the plea that it could be done
sooner elsewhere; that opportunity was offered the
printers of this city to bid for the contract (by issuing
proposals and that had doubt but that this Job
could be done well and as promptly here as IN Cncin-
natl We still adhere TO what we then expressed. We
also stated that believed this contract had been made
contrary to the wishes of the Convention Our reasons
for making this latter statement simply these:
number of members Of the Convention had called upon
us before leaving for their homes and made the request
that we would forward TO them, at an early day, the
numbers of the Constitution which they entitled to
receives the gentleman who introduced the first resou
tcn which Mr.. Owen quotes, had stated to friend Of
ours since the adjournment that he had other idea,
when he introduced the resolution than that the print
ing would be done in this city. That majority of the
members of the Convention thought the of that
resolution did we cannot for a moment doubt Indeed,
we have lately received letters from MEMBERS who
impatient to receive their copies, enqurng why have
so long delayed the printing. The Centrcvlle Wing
last week abused the Convention for giving the job
the Sentinel Office. Now, ask any candid man,
whether under such Stances proper for
us to correct the impression which abroad that the
printing was being done in this Office 10y giving simple
statement of the facts9 The printing given
other than us, and stated that no blame for de-
lay If any hereafter, should be laid door.
We do not hesitate say that this job, large is
could have been done (even in small plea tYpe) WELL
and in less time in indianapolis, than has been done
elsewhere and at expense of 40 per cent less than
what the present contractor receives. The facilities
for book printing good in this city they in
Cincinnati there being no less than four book Offices
connected with the various printing offices here.
To the Editor of the Sentinel,
] SIR:-In your paper of Wednesday last which has
Just been put into my hands, find snder the edtor
al head, tile statement that; contrary TO the wishes
the intention of the Convention Gas you beleve con-
tract made with late member of that body Up. NJ
KENT by the committee on Revision, to execute the
printing of the Constitution"
The committee on Revision (or rather, on enrolment
and publication) had authority whatever to make
contract or PRINTING! either with Mr. Kent or with any
one else and of course, they made The resolu
ton in regard to the printing, and which intro
duced by any member OF our committee-reads as fol-
lows
sResored That the Secretary he authorized to have
the Constitution and Address translated and Published
in the German language, and that the additional
penSe for the same and publication five thousand cop
les together with the publication OF the fifty thousand
copies of both in the English language including paper
for the publication of tyhve Thousand copies of the
Constitution and Address shall (and all contingent
penses therelor) exceed the additional of four
hundred dollars; which work may he done any Office
said Secretary may deem it expedient select
cure the speedy aud faithful execution of the same"
/ This was over and above the eight hundred dollars
previously voted for the publication of the Constitution
alone.
In regard to the contract, the Secretary, it will be
observed, had the sole control 1t may be proper how
ever 20 state that previously to making any contract
he submitted the matter OF publication, TO the Commit
tee on Enrolment and Publication, all its members be-
ing present, and also the President of the Gonven
ton He advertcd To the facts (known indeed. to the
committee and the Presdent) in what manner each Of
the Offices in the city was occupied; the Journal with
the debates Of the Convention, the Statesman with the
printing for the Legislature and the Sentinel with the
Journal the Conventions stating that the latter
was than three months behind: and it the
unanimous opinion of the committee. well as of the
President OF the Convention that the chance OF procu-
ing so large and important job to be done in speedy
and satisfactory better elsewhere than in
this city When asked by the Secretary for their opin-
ion they expressedit.
The express duty of the committee on enrolment and
publication had been defined By previous resolution Of
the Convention as follows:
ResoIred, That Messrs. Owen, Newman and Read of
Monroe, the Subcommittee on Revision be Committee
to superntend the enrolling and printing Of the Consti-
tution agreed to by this Convention.
Our duty that, of Superintendent to that
the Constitution accurately enrolled and published
in the best form which the appropriation would
The public will have an opportunity in few days, TO
Judge whether that duty has been faithfully performed
The pamphlet containing the Constitution and the Adj
dress of the Convention is printed in small pca the
Constitution being loaded, the Address uneaded and
contains hirty-tUo octave pages of printed matter.
The fount OF type employed new and the paper of
good quality.
| Our Committee being very DESTROYS that document
important should assume permanent form, and find
ing provision for cover, recommended to the gentle
who obtained the contract, that il should be neatly
bound coOred paper with outside title and
edges trimmed provided this could be done at an addi-
onal expense of about half copy: and provided
the would wait and take his chance of paw
for the cover from the next Legislature. In this re-
commentator the President of the Convention Joined
and Mr. Kent agreed to it, Every one who knows how
much carefully such pamphlet is preserved, than
in the rough form of uncovered newspaper will
approve the recommendation.
Although our Committee had nothing whatever to do
in fixing the price, except the
daton in regard to the cover, will withhold the
opinion, that any who undertakes as the present
does to get pamphlet of thirty-two pa
ges, with neat cover printed and trimmed and without
for publication in that anguageat somewhat less than
co cents and three quarters for each cOpythe type be-
ing new, the paper good and the work executed in the
best stye-must be a good manager, if he nets more
than five per the contract.
i | am, Sir, your ob't. serv't.
/ ROBERT DALE OWEN.
i Chairman of the Committee on
! Enrolment and Publication.
! indianapolis, Feb. d, 1851