The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-06

society with respect and deeorum am incapable OF Of
ienng an aiironl % gentlemen lor whom have Inc
as well able the honorable senator 10 distinguish
when language does convey atront and when It does
not What is the afron which the honorable senator
says l. because do not know the effect and puport Of
The language have used, have ventured IN this amend
ment TO offer to the Secretary OF the nieror Why SIR
is because propose 70 give him the absolute control
without appeal. OF deciding upon the fidelity with which
this work is to be executed that have such entire con-
hdence in him, such reliance upon his fairness, ntel
gence and honor that | am willing to submit 10 his
Judgment TO say, without constituting any tribunal OF
appeal from his decision, whether these contractors shall
have executed their work according TO their agreement
and by his word TO strike down the compensation
agreed 10 be allowed 10 them TO whatever extent ne
peases Is that the indgnity Does that imply any dis
respect TO the Secretary OF the nteriol apprehend
that the honorable senator is the only person IN the world
Now, lei US see how this matter stands in contrast
with what the honorable senator himself proposes what
IS The existing law in regard 10 this departmental Up PRINT
parimen Is he not required 10 advertise for whatever
printing and supplies he needs in his oce and is he not
absolutely compelled take the offer OF the lowest bid
der The only trust and confidence imposed in him is,
that he will be able TO tell that $3.50 is less than $675
that is all My amendment does not propose 10 put him
and woad pey Willingly II could abolish this
whole system My amendment proposes that the COM
mtee shall make the contract and when i is made, we
trust 10 the fairness OF the Secretary TO that is faith
fully executed What is the inconsistency in all this
The honorable senator says that il this congressional
printing violating contract with the persons
who have stipulated do the printing for the two houses
OF Congress, | admit that il is not congressional print
ing. do not suppose--no man supposes-that II comes
within the terms OF that printing He says then that II
is departmental printing, and therefore II is usurpauon
for the legislative body OF this country to undertake to
direct the in which the contract for executing II
Us 10 be made Will the honorable senator inform me by
what part OF the constitution il is that the heads OF the
departments acquire the jurisdiction and control over
tracts for printing Is that of the executive powers
Of the government that according 10 the notion OF the
/ hann tlaN he nal S,I fha
mens, and if we undertake 10 pass law by which the
destination OF il is changed, violating the cons
tutonal rights OF these gentlemen No man can sup
pose such is the All the authority that the heads
OF the departments have over this subject is derived from
acts oil Congress We conferred the power upon them,
such it is, and we have the right TO take il back, in
whole or in part We have The right 10 provide that the
whole OF the printing shall be done under contracts made
by committees of our own The whole subject is one
absolutely under the jurisdiction OF Congress do not
mean that would be decent or becoming for Congress TO
do so, that would concur in such proceeding But
permit me TO tell the honorable senator that when he
talks about uswpat'ons he uses language in connexion
with this subject that has no meaning.
But to proceed with the honorable senator's objections
as well as can recoec them. He says that his amend
ment is the best that can be proposed Well, sir no
doubt he thinks am not quite prepared TO say that
my amendment is the best that be proposed but think
II is pretty good amendment very respectable amend
ment and that might have been discussed in this
chamber without any exhibition OF warmth and excite
ment II is a business transaction, in which have
right to express our views And there is nothing in this
4
wrath OF my friend from Connecticut, Mr. SMITHl
| Now, what is his amendment He says that he has
got an amendment Yes sir, reject his present amend
menl, and he has one which is just the very thng-one
OF which there is to complain although he ad
mlis that that very amendment is wrong in principle and
bad IN practice. Now, that is curious way 10
mend anything TO this Senate The people OF the United
States will have no reason TO complain OF his amend
nent, although he admits that it is rong principle and
bad IN practice. Now, ii they cannot complain OF that
pray you OF what can they complaint Now, let say
the consideration OF this body of which he atfms tina, il
IS wrong in principle and bad in practice and yet the
people OF the United States whose money be used in
carrying out and executing the purposes OF that amend
men have no right TO complain, be completely esiops
hmself from making any complaint against any other
amendment Now. ii thought that my amendment was
either wrong IN principle bad in practice would
tainly withdraw it. But believe neither
Now, what does the amendment OF the honorable
ator propose Why, sir, that will give 10 Donelson
q Armstrong The printing and press work-we will make
bargain with them and trust them that far Aud upon
what does be refuse g give The binding
are not practical printers And if the fact that they are
not binders furnishes reason why they should have
the binding then the fact that they practical print
ers ought TO prevent them from having the printing and
press-work But my friend does not urge that argument
in that But be says that if give them The bind.
ing they will go out and practise oppression and exor
lon upon the mechanics and practical binders whom
they may get 10 do that part Of The work have al.
ready remarked as Tar think is proper upon this
cason TO remark upon the Of such language applied
TO persons who have been convicted OF crime-tha
they should be consdered, al all events, "inderenty
honest" as old Jack Fasaf says. But the honorable
senator ought 10 inform himself regard the facts in
this case. ! suppose he was not that Doneson &
Armstrong have OF the most extensive bnderies in
The United States, and of the most accomplished
and practical binders IN the country They there
fore, just as able 10 execute the binding the printing
They do not propose TO do either with their hands
but they have the employees under their control who are
competent TO do both
Again. there is a difficulty with regard TO the paper
The honorable senator says that, upon the plan OF the
resolution aud my amendment II is certain ii is inevta.
ble that the government will be cheated in the quality OF
not TO be cheated Now, let us how that is These
men have made contract. They have furnished sam.
pie oil The paper That 10 part Of the contract Now
should be very glad TO be informed how il necessarily
olows that these men must cheat the Secretary OF the
Interior, and that he cannot determine whether The psper
corresponds with the sample. Who is to decide? II
the paper does not correspond with the sample be has
The whole and entire jurisdiction the subject How
does my honorable friend from Connecticut mir
SMITH propose TO prevent Congress being cheated upon
his PLAN He must order the paper and the binding
OF the documents somewhere-of somebody or other
some human being. We cannot expect TO have super.
human assistance upon this occasion; but somebody
must be called upon 10 determine whether the paper fur
nlshed corresponds with the sample Who is TO do il
shall II be done by the Committee on Printing! have
The highest respect Tor every member of that committee
and cannot attribute to them nallibity II il is in
The least probable IN the least possible, in the least
certain that the Secretary OF the Interior will be imposed
upon, do not think II Is at all unreasonable or an
extravagant conclusion TO suppose thai even the Commit
tee on Printing may be the subjects OF imposition,
Mr. President, have no feeling about this matter
telt nothing about tneber way the oher-until
ound myself aIagned here by the honorable senator
IRON CONNECTICUT Mr. SMITH, simply because thought
a. - - ~