Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1851-03-01


inferred from the conversation, that it
was expected that Congress would
relieve the contractors.
Mr.. Speaker, this brings me now
to consider the report submitted by
the Committee on Printing. ] have
very great respect for my friend, (Mr.
McWilie,) the chairman ofthat com
mitlte, as well as the other members
and would defer most respectfully to
his opinion upon a question with
which he is familiar. He has, how.
ever, not taken any testimony as to
the actual loss sustained by the prin-
iers to Congress, having ofnecessity
10 depend aloue upon the exaggera-
ted anticipation of loss which the
contractors have SO industriously cir
culated through every aisle in this
hall. Besides, no member of that
committee is practical printer, nor
has either of them been heretofore
connected with the printing business.
Their brief service on that commit
tee is the only schooling they have
ever had; and | submit the course is
not as extensive as the one which the
special committee have taken
cannot, therefore, give my assent to
their report, and will now proceed to
give my reasons for opposingit.
The bill proposes TO pay the con-
tractors for all the printing Of the
3lst Congress executed, and to be
executed, the prices of the joint rasa-
luton of 1919, deducting fifty per cent
therefrom. How many members
here know anything of the prices of
lSl0 Does any member give a
vote satisfactory even to himself,
which annulS a contract voluntarily
entered into by the Government and
the contractors, and substitutes in
lieu thereof scale of prices which
they do not understand, adopted
more than thirty years agol What
ifone of your constituents should So
licit an explanation of your vote:--
could you give him informationl
Suppose the interrogatory is propoun
ded to you: Hosv much did you give
MIR. Ritchie TO make up his losses'
No member on this floor can answer
this question. You do not appro-
pirate money to carry on any of the
Departments of the Government UNI
til the proper officer submits esti-
mates which inform you the amount
demanded in figures, and the objects
and purposes for which it is to be ex-
pended But you are to depart from
this wholesome practice; annuI SOL
emn bonded contract made by par
ties who were able and willing to
contract, and who actually did con-
tract fairly-neither party being over
reached nor deceived, every stiprla-
ton plainly set forth in printed pro-
posals; without figure or fact show
i G necessity for abrogating the
contract; no evidence of loss TO one
OF the contracting parties but broad
assertion, and set up in its stead a
compensation you do not understand,
and vote away the money ofyour con
stituents with no conception of the
amount, especially when the opening
of the bids for the printing Of the next
Congress on Saturday, the 9Th inst.
dlscloses the remarkable fact, that a
responsible man offers to do the work
embraced in Belts class No. S at
even a less price than he is now paid;
and it is understood that two respon-
sible bidders have offered proposals
less than is paid for the other classes
under the existing contract. lis the
House prepared for such blind and
unprecedented legislation? Are you
determined to be liberal and gener-
ons to these contractors, and unfaith-
fnl and forgetful of your constituents
Let me conjure gentlemen, if they de
sire TO become distinguished for their
llberality, to draw their drafts on
their own resources. That will give
themthe most feeling appreciation of
the virtue they would aspire to; but as
agents, let them spare The funds of
their principals in building up for
themselves an osientatious and hoI-
low hberality. AS individuals you
may venture on liberality, butas
trustees of the funds ofothefs it is
your duty to be just. II TO insist ups
on the ful6lment of a fair contract
makes one a sShyi0cE,' then, sir, She
laws of every civilized country are
framed tomake al its subjects Shy
locks Our cour,s are occupied al.
most constantly while in session in
enforcing contracts. The peace, hap
plness, and prosperity of society de
mand It, and every, good Govern
ment provides the necessary laws for
enforcing the performance ,ofcon.
tracts,