The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-13
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

W EDnESDAf, Fcu IL, 1901.
Mr.. BAYLY asked unanimous consent to re-
port the deficiency bill, with view to it's refer
ence to the Committee Of the Whole on the state
of the Union. Objected to.
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
Mr.. McWILLfE, rising to a privileged ques-
ton, reported from the Committee on Public
Printing, resolution for the relief of Thomas
Richie.
MIR. BURT rose to a point Of order, which was
that the report OF the committee for the relief
Of private person, and therefore could not be en-
tertaned as privileged question.
The SPEAKER referred to the 2lst rule max
ing reports from the Committee on Printing in or
der at any time, and overruled the point of order
lie referred to the action Of the House at the last
session, whereby report of the committee on
Public Printing recommending that that commit
tee should 81. during the recess, was declared in
order by the House upon an appeal from the deci-
sion Of the SPEAKER
Mr.. BURT appealed from the decision, and
called for the reading Of the report with view to
determine whether it was a public or private mat
ter. The report was read, when
Mr.. McLANE moved TO lay the motion upon
the liable.
MIR. ASHMUN, asking if the memorial of Mr.
Richie had been referred to the Committee on
Public Printing by the House, was answered in
the affirmative.
hr. ORR called for the reading of the 2lst rule,
whereupOn IL was read.
The SPEAKER proceeded to state the point of
order, and to give his reasons for his decision,
when he interrupted by
Mr.. BUKT, who suggested that it was not
competent for the SPEAKER to argue the matter.
The SPEAKER replied that he considered it
his privilege and his duty to give the for
his decision.
The question was then put and the appeal from
the decision Of the Speaker was laid on the table
ayes 1903; noes "a.
The resolution was then read first time. IT,
releases the public printer from his contract, and
allows him fty per cent. upon the prices OF 1919.
Mr.. McWILLIE said that a, the present peri
cd in the session, he would not detain the House
with All argument in favor Of the resolution. The
report OF the committee at the last session elected
considerable discussion, as did the report Of the
select committee, as to facts connected with the
public printing There was also under consider
alton during the last session propositi.1. some
what similar to the one reported this morning
Mr.. Now. presumed the House was ns well in
formed upon this subject as it would be after
two or three days debate The resolution had
been reported unanimously by the committee.
They believed it founded upon principles of truth
and justice.
Mr.. ORR said that as he had figured conspicu-
ousy relating to the public printing, it therefore
devoved upon him to say something more at the
present time. He then related the history of his
connection with the subject, and repealed the
charge that he had been influenced by hostility to
Mr.. Richie. On the contrary, his symphathies
and feelings led him to hope that Mr.. RS. con-
nection with the printing would be shown to be
SUCH as to exonerate him and to Justify the party
to which he belonged in sustaining him. But as
the investigation progressed before the select COM
mittee, plank after plank gave way, and at last
not spar was left for himself and friends to stand
on. MIR. 0. expressed the opinion that the con-
tractors would lose nothing under the present pro-
cedure, while compliance with the terms Of the
contract would have involved loss Of $40, 900
He had great respect for the Committee on Public
Printing, but they had not taken testimony as to
actual Iosses. None Of the members were practi-
cal printers. Their resolution proposes to allow
Mr.. Richie the prices of 1919, deducting fifty
per cent.
Mr.. ORR commented at length upon the course
of Legislators who would annuI ahia contract upon
broad assumptions as to losaes, and vote away
the money Of their constituents without knowing
the amount which would be required. If deter
mined to be liberal. let them take their own
means, and not that Of their constituents. If. to
insist upon the execution Of contract justified
the charge Of being Shylocks, then the laws of
every civilized country made Shylocks: for they
all provide for the enforcement ofcontracts. Mr.
Richie had made Sl0O, 900 by previous contract I.
Congress could require that a portion Of that
amount should be refunded, with as much pro-
priety az Mr.. Richie could now claim relief Mr.
O. then went on TO specify the profits which would