The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-08

o resolution OF 1916, from which he has read. provs-
@ @,oh y ndue sgahs contingency that is supposed
lhkey 10 happen mat IN the public printer should
violate his contract, then the Committee on Printing
sho9d nave power 70 employ somebody else to do the
woh ana Pay ior y u provides further that the public
ference between the contract price and The Increased
amount which shall be paid for the work Such case
has not arisen since the Committee Printing has been
There has been no case in which this duty has been
performed; and although the committee might have 10
perform II, IT Is provision against contingency which
was supposed not likely happen and mol prescribed
duty AT the time the joint resolution passed, suppose
no expected that The contractors would not fulfil
their contracts But here it proposed to send the com
mee out beyond the walls OF the Capitol to chatter and
make bargains Nothing OF the sort is done by any
mit!ee Of either house. We have Committee on Pub
lie Buildings, which takes charge of all matters relating
to the public buildngs but that committee required
to make contracts for building. There is Comms-
sioner OF Public Buildings for that purpose We have
Committee on the Contingent Expenses OF the Senate
That committee, suppose, audits the for the
inel consumed and the stationery used by the Senate
but do we send that committee with the
wood hauers and OF the country supply
the Senate We have Committee on Naval Affairs
ing OF ships olwar. The senator from California has
referred TO carrying the mails The Committee on Naval
Affairs pass on the policy proprey OF particular
measure but they required make contracts with
persons for carrying the mails Why, lhen should we
require the Committee on Printing. which raised for
the purpose OF examining questions submitted 10 the
+.
into market and perform duty different from any
duty performed by other committees of the Senae' Why
should you require that committee TO contract with print
ers Tor doing this work can no reason for IT. Ii
is without precedent. adhere to my objections.
MIR. BADGER. There is nothing in the joint resolu-
ton of 1885, as think has been well stated by the sena-
tor from Arkansas, [Mr. BoRLAND which is at all con-
elusive against the objection he has urged and to
which was inclined to adopt the amendment he has
public printing to be made by the executive officers OF the
two houses BY them the advertisements to be made.
contracts settled The resolution proposes TO make pro-
vision for case-not is supposed by gentlemen,
one not likely to happen-but TO provide Tor case
which suppose from the very nature of the joint resou
ton Of 1916, it presumed would be very likely to
happenthat is, where contractor would not discharge
his duty In that event, it directs the Joint Committee
on Printing 10 take such measures would be necessary
TO supply the failure upon the part OF that contractor
and 10 do what the emergency required. When
there opportunity of Tesorting to any other
nsrumentality, then this joint committee was 10 sup
ply the means for having the printing done which
needed That is, in substance what the joint resolution
directs. We now propose to put the Committee on Print
ing in new attitudeo make them originate contracts
their duties by making bargains for the pub
lie printing This shows, IN my, opinion, II anything
necessary to show il, how unorunate exceedingly
unfortunate the JOINT resolution OF 46 was-unortunate
in many respecsunt toriunate, think, in the whole con-
tract SYSTEM which has produced nothing but difficulty
delay bad printing bad paper and bad binding for the
Senate as well as the House of Representatives II is
unfortunate in this parcuar-the consequence offolow
ing out the first unfortunate step OF that resolution, OF in
ducng the JOINT committee OF the two houses TO discharge
duty which believe discharged before by
any committee, in anywise analogous to it. We
are now asked to take still further STEP and put the
committee of the two houses in the attitude OF
cling contracts. II seems that are asked TO take
step which, if determined upon the two houses will
soon find reason 10 repent
There great deal of force in the suggestion oil the
senator from Arkansas, [Mr. BoRLAEDl that while we
have committees charged with great many things rela
ting TO contracts in instance those committees
charged with The duty OF making contracts.
Mr. GWlN. Has not the Committee on the Library
charged re n fort he
printing of the Jefferson papers, and others of that char
acer understand from the chairman of that commit
! lee lMr PEARcEl that such is the fact.
Mr.. BADGER. II the honorable senator had only
directed his attention more particularly TO that case he
proceeding as is now under consideration. When the
Congress OF the United States purchased the papers OF
the distinguished dead 10 whom he has alluded, was
subject OF literary ssea subject of delicate discretion
that must have been exercised by committee OF this
body-to determine which Of these papers should be
printed II was not intended by Congress that The whole
OF the papers, indiscriminatey purchased should be
printed by Congress- and il necessarily deyolved upon
| its committees the difficult and delicate duty of
making such selection as should have at once Just
regard to the curiosity and the good of the public 1t
was therefore necessary for them 10 have the disposition
OF that matter
But was about TO say that my friend from Arkansas
[hlr. BoRLAsD,l in his zeal for ilusation-if he will
permit me to say so-ie into grave error He un-
deuook TO illustrate the functions discharged by the Com
mitee on the Contingent Expenses OF the Senate. beg
him 10 be cautious upon that subject hereafter That
IS touching subject never alluded 10 in open Senate,
unless Tor some very urgent purpose we know that IN
the operations OF this government there is what called
fund OF secret service money. Who ever heard OF any
application 10 this body forany inquiry into the DISPOSE
ton OF that fund 2 Now, was member OF the
Committee Contingent Expenses. Unfortunately for
the Senate and the country am no longer upon that
committee. Laughter Still. cherish very high
spect for the confidential operations OF that committee
and trust that no member OF H. member OF this body
will allude hereafter 10 the particular functions which
they perform.
Mr. DODGE, OF Iowa. shall vote against the amend
ment offered by the senator from Arkansas [Mr Boz
LASDl and, for the that it may a little dis
courteous towards my worthy friend, will briefly state
why do | think that reform is necessary in
regard 10 this matter OF public prning-that some move
ment should now be made by which, when we order
documents be published the work will be executed in
some reasonable lime. have had various communIca-
tons addressed TO from almost every quarter OF the
country asking for copies OF the report Some
OF them have had so long, going back during the whole
OF the last sessions that they have been msad and
many of my correspondents, doubt not suppose tha,
have overlooked do not intend 10 comply with their
requests. An additional reason with me for voting
against the amendment is that have had repeated con
yersaons with the worthy Secretary OF this body upon
the subject OF this census printing, and in all OF them he
has earnestly plead that the making OF this contract
should not be devolved upon him and know he has
other and good for asking than a desire TO
get rid OF the labor OF its performance.
Now, in reply TO the political part OF the argument Of
the senator from Maryland, [Mr PRATTl am ready 10
say that far regards the besowment OF this Job,
any other job OF printing for which have TO vote here,
should expect that the Committee Printing would give
preference to those of their political faith. |
should expect them, however TO do upon correct prn
cples, having regard economy and the speedy and
nt fho fhe lNpun-