The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-17

meaning 70 The same words and phrases whenever Iouna
recurring Thus guided, no escape from my conclu-
son But the gentleman intmaes TO me that the words,
/" the work., in the construction where this controversy
particularly hinges. does not mean all . the work. con-
Iacied TO be DONE but only particular part OF it, Now,
sir, u we concede that we make the words mean what
another and different word used IN the hrs Sec
ton and apty conveying thai idea OF part, have rel
erence the word q class" there found and used
Sir such mode OF Interpretation is too absurd to be ad
| mitted.
But. again. MIR. Speaker, | ask the attention of the
House TO the practical working OF this thing, If you
abrdge the power OF this commitiee you do not
adopt the position | have assumed. THIS law u99ueh
tonably enacted with view TO relieve the House
from all trouble IN the procurement oil It's printing IN de-
ermining the style OF the same the speed with which the
work shall be executed, &c. These things all devov
ed on the committee Now, would inquire OF gentle
men. what is to be done in the printer dies. gets
sick. runs away squarey refuses to do the work I
The law does mol in terms provide Tor such exgences
il nowhere in TERMS says word about the committees
making neto contract with another printer But who
doubts their authority do that very thing. and that IT is
imbodied in the clause shall have power 10 adopt such
measures as may be deemed necessary to remedy any
neglect or delay" &c. J
Well, now ii they may recontract " the work" in such
case, pray tell me why they may not do the thing
where The printer undertakes TO do the work. but negecs
his duty in that behafdelays the work anreasonaby,
or furnishes work " inferior to the standard /" Sir, they
have the "power" 10 refuse the work altogether to
such printer. II they have not this House may be i'm
posed upon by bad man, who gets your printing almost
your committee TO to him with every item oil each
class" OF "the work." though he may have been
wu 5a,sy hsagEsny il default a il the same thing
a commee! And what body that regarded its own sell
respect would suffer itself to be placed in such pedca
ment!
This argument, arising from the ineonpsnences of the
case, il strikes me ought to be deemed conclusive II |
am right the committee have all power in the premises
Let them exercise it, and have no doubt they Will be
sustained here and elsewhere.
| was proceeding to direct the attention Of gentlemen,
when interrupted some time ago, to matter which pre-
sumo is not to them. mean that of the inter-
1 nal improvements OF this system has been
adopted in regard TO this matter from the first to the last
equivalent TO this The whole power in relation to the
construction OF those works is thrown into the hands
OF the engineers under whose direction the works are
constructed Let me invite the attention of the commit
lee to that law OF 1885, and will read the section through
without comment We all understand the English Ian
guage:
lind be further resolved. That committee, consist
ing Of three members of the Senate and three members Of
spective houses which shall constitute Committee
Printing, which shall have power TO adopt such measures
lay on the part of the execute the work
dered by Congress, and make reduction in the
should it be inferior the standard and in all the
contractor and his securities shall be responsible for in.
creased expenditure consequent the performance
Of the contract The committee shall audit and pass
all accounts for printing but no bill shall be acted upon
which they may require to be properly authenticated
Now, cannot be mistaken, it seems to me, IN regard
to the construction Of the law i thing which is
beyond our power IL has passed out OF our hands by
virtue OF action under this law, and have concur
rent jurisdiction with this tribunal created by the two
houses We have none II is all referred 10 them and
when it in here il in out OF order They have
all the power and all they have to do is TO do Gene
raj Jackson was wont to do" take the responsibility
Mr.. MEADE. Will the gentleman allow me to make
suggestion to him. concur cordially with the gem
teman from Indiana MIR. PARKERl in the views he has
taken IN relation 10 the powers conferred upon the
nlttee. believe, with him. that the law gives them
plenary powers over the subject; but the gentleman
TO argue the proposition il there were actually
"a w al he
mitiee has done. do not understand that to be the
question.
II the gentleman wishes TO call 10 order, perhaps
Mr.. MEADE. II is different object that have in
view. wish to hear The genlleman's views in relation
10 what suggest. The committee have made report,
and resolution has been offered by the gentleman from
Mississippi Mr.. BRows not to abrogate what the CON-
mtiee has done, but 10 refer that report TO the Committee
on the judiciary, with instructions 10 inquire into tue
general subject OF the printing OF Congress, with view
10 recommend 10 Congress some future plan in relation
to the in which that work should be done; and
with that resolution there coupled amendment from
the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr.. FLoREscE,l re-
ernng al The same time the bill introduced by the gen.
eman from Wisconsin, Mr.. DoTY.] Tha, seems TO me
TO contemplate future acon not to contemplate the alb
rogauon OF the action OF the committee,
AS the gentleman has allowed me TO interrupt him for
moment. would like to hear him upon another ques-
ton, The gentleman certainly will not deny that any
penaTy powers have been conferred upon this committee
which this House cannot discuss, and censure they
please the manner IN which they have discharged their
duty
j Mr.. PARKER. | will state the reasons at another
time; | will answer the question now. The power OF
this House TO discuss is plrnary, the action OF the
House is, when we get into ie Committee Of the Whole
the state OF the Union We may discuss, and discuss
1t seems forever | have ascertaned that to my hearts
II content aF.#rf"
The gentleman suggests that the matter now be.
fore the House looks TO future action, rather than present.
so far the printing concerned agree with him in
that but that is not all. We have wandered many
league beyond that The turns exactly the
thought II at the outset II is most beautifully
illustrated by the interminabe confusion and debate
have involved ourselves in. Can II be that this law
leaves subject 10 these troubles in the matter OF
printing! Heads too wise have gone before for to
believe it and these endless and multiplied questions are
what have up before us Ii is future action and
present action presidential elections politics of every
hue pay for partisan sevice-and punishments toomo-
lives OF members, personal action personal knowledge,
and everything else and nothing far the printing is
rghuy concerned upon which TO predicate any part Of
liz And what are we doing in the House nowi What
can we do' Nothing at a-nothng | am very happy
TO that gentleman, MIR. MEADE, in whose judgment
have the greatest confidence, concurrng with in my
be mistake about il from any quarer--none whatever
We have nothing under Heaven do with this matter
until that law 10 repealed and thea the whole thing may
be brought up anew, and change modify il, in
connexion with the other branch OF Congress, and the
President Wecannot do ourselves II is utterly out
OF the question
i A VOICE. We can give The committee Instructions
| MIR. PARKER. Grant we can, which | do not,
that will not relieve us from the difficulty we are in
understand that gentlemen complaining, and have
complained for two months, because we have not our