The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-30

The Onsial State P&pcr-Ihs Stats OnAssrs
In Conflict with the COurGs-,The Former
Brought up all sss ndiHg.
The public printing Of this State has long been .
bone Of contention. Under the cid regime, many
fortunes have been accumulated, and an immense
amount Of political influence exercised. Solomon
Southwiek, politician Of no mean rank, though
iujudicous and headstyong, held the Office Of State
Printer until 1872; and II he had not been reckless
and extravsgant, would have left fortune, instead
Of lesvng his family in want and poverty. Jesse
Bue was brought from Ulster county, established
the Albany Argus, and, by Daniel d. Tompkins
and Martin Van Buren,, made to supersede South
wick, in consequence Of the unwillngnsss of the
latter to be dictated TO- and held in leading strings
Mr.. BueI, aman Of quiet and and domestic habits,
amiable and universally respected, never was q
rabid politician, but his paper always teemed with
the sbest articles in support of the republican par
ty and its candidates. The ablest pens Of the day
contributed to the columns of the paper, which
rendered it the leading party paper Of the
State, and amongst tie strongest in tho Union. Mr..
Buel enjoyed the patronage of the State some
eight or ten years only, when he retired with
an ample fortune, and entered upon the
speculative science Of agriculture, horticulture,
retaining sand hills and worthless Marches the inn
portaton Of Durham cattle and Spanish sheep, until
he achieved the reputation, all the county, Of
being model agriculturist His experimental
farming, however, cost him nearly all his fortune.
About the year 1922, Aeesrs, Cantne and Loake be-
came Mr.. Buel's Successors us publishers Of the
paper, and also State printers-the former lawyer
OF Cstskill, o brother in-law Of M Van Buren, the
latter bank teller. Mr.. q. possessed solid talents,
and produced articles Of the highest political saga
city and discernment He was very dignifsd and
respectful to his political opponents, which c,arac
teristic was perfect shield against any upiaanls
controversy with his opponents. He remained in
tie concern only year tive, when his heal h be-
gan to decline, and he was soon gathered to his
fathers. His successor was Edwin Croswell, then
mere youth-a partner with his father, Maekay
Croswel, in the publication of the CatskM Recod1.
In the course of a year or two, Mr.. Lesks retired
from the concern, on account of having become OBJ
noxious to the party Neither himself nor Mr.. Can
tine remained sufficient length Of time to make
much political display, amass any considerable
amount Of means. About this time QS2i or 1920,
politics began to assume o more dgniied form;
ntellects Of the highest order enlisted in the
cause, and in time became nearly reduced to
the standard Of scientific principles The repub-
lican party was mighty IN its strength in this
State, and on almost every occasion when contest
occurred, federalism was scattered to the winds.
Being strong, courag aous, dctatoral and arrogant,
the patronage lavished upon the State printer was
enormous. Prices for all manner Of printing and
official advertising were liberal. Mr.. Croswell en-
joyed this patronage up to about IS4O-some twen-
ty-fve years-when @ combination Of political ele-
ments together with two three false steps Of the
"regoney"-such as the passage Of large number
Of bank laws, the "snall bill" Law" &e.-prod uoe2
arevolution, aud the old federal alias new anti-ma
sonic and whig party, obtained the ascendancy.
Upon tho first opportunity, Thurlow Weed was msde
State printer. His party, liberal to it's friends a.
ways, threw gu immense amount Of patronage in
his hands. The United States Bankrupt Law was
enacted about this time, and the publication Of no
tees under it produced an incalculable revenue,
which, together with tho State patronage, rolled
fortunes into the Golfers of himself and his partners
Although Weed was State printer only few years,
he contrved, with the assistance of the Legislature
and by constructive jobs to realize moro than ever
was done in three times the period Of time that any
other person enjoyed the patronage.
In ls46. the Legislature was again democratic.
Croswell claimed the Office of State printer. Niue
tenths Of the fortune which he had accumulated dur
ing the quarter century he had cart blanche upon the
treasury, was sunk in Western lands, and in corner
and water lots all over creation. 1t was important
that he should be restored, in order that he might
retrieve his losses. His partner, Van Dyck, owning
some quarter Of the Argus, reared his head adjust
ed his spectacles, and proclaimed to the democracy,
"oM Caesar cIt snhts"-"I'n be State printer sol,ss
or nothing" This produced a rupture. An excit-
ing controversy ensued in the caucus. When Van
Dyek ascertained that his chances were only seoond
best, he withdrew, and the Evening Post was sub
stituted. This proved failure; when finally, after
a spirited contest, majority was found in favor Of
Cassidy, of the Atlas. Then came the tug of war
John G. Wright and orviile Clark, tho leading
friends of Croswell in the Senate, became absolute
ly desperate because Mr. Croswcll was defeated in
eaucus. They Immediately sent flag Of truce to
the wings as haing sign Of DISTRESS and the first
in.imation Of combination between those bunker
leaders and the wings, was notice introduced Of
an intention to repeal the law appointing State
printer Here originated the quarrel between tho
hunkers, led by John G. Wright, and the barnburn-
crs under control of Col. Young The debates ofthe
session Of 1916 are filed with more personal malice,
invective, and wrathfu'ness, than any on record.
Not only was silas Wright, but Col. Young also,
politically assassinated during that remarkable
boisterous session. In few days bin was intro
duced repeating the State printer law, and carried
through. Immediately another wss presented, Civ
ing cut all tho official advertising the legislative
and department printing, BY contract to the lowest
bidders. The whig and bunker votes combined,
carried the bill through both branches Of the Legs
laturc, leaving poor Cassidy the empty honor Of
berg, to this day, the caucus nominee for State
printer. The Secretary Of State and Comptroller,
in compliance with the new law, issued the requisite
proposals When they were opened, it appeared
that Mr.. Cromwell the lowest bidder, be agree
ing to publish ell the off cial notices required by
statute, for nothing This set all his competitors
aback, and he was again legally declared State
printer In 1913, and also in 1885, he was also
awarded the privilege Of publication, upon tho Same
gratutous terms. In the spring of the present