Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-24

Mr. STANTON, Of Kentucky said that he would ma TX
: statelena ~ member OF the Committee Printing
as the chairman OF that committee was not in his seat
Som time since resolution was introduced in the SEN
ate IN ~ ne OF the census be given the editors
OF the bhoh rms resolution referred to the Joint
COMMITTEES on PRINTING The committee met took the
matter into consideration and sent word to the public
printer from whom they received in writing statement
claiming that the printing Of the belonged to him.
The committee, however after investigating the subject
TO the conclusion that both by the terms OF the
tract itself and by the law Of Congress- the public printer
not entitled 70 the printing the census and that
the law reserved 70 Congress the right to give
they chose
Mr. ORR said that this an abstract Of the census
and the contract was to be made for prnting.t The
very fact that the resolution contemplated the necessity
of making contract showed the contract was to be
from the public printer As he had before remarked he
believed that the adoption of this resolution would give
the public printer right to to the House and claim
damages from il for violation of its contract toward
him. inasmuch as it had failed to give him all the public
printing.
Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. said that the public print
ing of the House regulated by lawby joint re-
solution of the two Houses, passed years ago. let
ting out the public printing by contract All the bills
reports Executive documents, sc. let out in this
way. He would ask the House how they could make
contract for printing with any body else other than the
person who had contracted for it, how they could ask
him do the work at less rates than prescribed in
his contract?
Mr. FULLER, of Maine asked the gentleman, Suppose
Congress should order additional number of copies of
the life of John Adams Alexander Hamilton, would
Mr.. STEPHENS not prepared to answer this ques-
ton The printing to which the gentleman referred how
would have to be by lawby joint act of the two
Houses.
He entirely opposed to the House taking the init
alive in violating the contract with the public printer
and for holding the contractor his bond though he
believed that both Houses had been imposed upon by him.
He was against sending out this document at this time
and hoped that they would have succinct, clear
compendium of the census of the United States
Mr.. DUNCAN hoped the House would not be alarmed
ton did propose to take this report from the public
printer if it belonged him. placed the matter
at the disposal of the Committee Printing, who were
judge in relation this matter and if they should de-
eide it belonged the public printer they would give it
to him. The price which they pay for this report
limited; and if the public printer could not print it
within the limitation Of cent per copy the committee
could report the fact to the House. and the House could
take order the subject For himself, he had no
great soeude about the House being particular to the
contract with the printers for it well known that he
had violated his contract from day to day The whole
country desired to learn the results of the census and
constituents addressing inquiries them in reference
to every day From present indications, order would
be taken for the printing of it in full until the close
of the session. and they would be fortunate they should
receive it at the close of Congress This report would
furnish all the information which enhs of the peo
pie desired and he hoped therefore that the motion
consider would not prevail.
Mr. CARTIER said that he voted for the resolution
and with distinct appreciation of the fact that in doing
so they might might not trampe upon the nominal
terms of the 1t fact well known the
House that from the opening to the close of the last
sion of Congress- and from the opening of the present
Congress down this time, the public printer had lived
in violation of his contract The contractor existed upon
the mercy of the House. and he hesated not declare
that upon every occasion he Mr. CO. would give
the printing to those who could performit
Mr.. STANTON, Of Kentucky desired to state that the
Committee Public Printing had had this matter under
consideration and later than last Friday for the
public printer and examined him in reference to his
tract They inquiredo him how far he was prepared
perform his contract and he them to understand that
he could not comply with it. did he expect to comply
with IN this respec-that he was not prepared to fur
nsh such description of paper the contract required him
to furnish. He could comply with the contract be-
he could purchase paper for he had money
to pay cash for It, In reference to the work the public
printer stated that the Presidents message could be
ready for two weeks, and that nearly all the bills and
ports had been printed and furnished to the House.
Mr.. STUART desired to know how Congress was to be
relieved of this difficulty?
Mr. STANTON replied he very anxious that the
Committee Printing should take this subject into
sheraton but the committee thought II would DO
sary that the House should take direct action in the
matter. The chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means Mr. HoUsToN asked to offer resolution instruct
ing the committee to take this matter into consideration
and make report upon the subject but it objected
to, and consequently could not be acted Whenever
the House should authorize investigation the Commit
tee on Printing would act and that promptly.
Mr. CARTIER was very glad to learn that the public
printer honest enough confess the truth he had
just been statng-that he had, not in FORM
complied with the terms of the contracts that his
history with the House continued and living viola
ton it This he cared nothing about as far as the con-
tractor concerned individually but when he incun-
bered embarrassed and arrested the proceedings of the
House. he thought they had right to complain. The
printer had not conformed the contract time
terias paper and he (Mr CO. therefore prepared
TO break the contract In conclusion he moved lay the
motion TO reconsider on the table
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia. demanded the yeas and
nays this notion which ordered and being taken
resulted, yeas III, nays 81
so The motion was agreed to.
DELEGATE FROM UTAH
Mr. BRIGGS asked the unanimous consent of the House
to offer the following resolution
Reotred That the Committee Elections be instructed
inquire into the election Of JOHN NJ BERyHrsE the present
Delegate from the Territory Of Utah whether said election
held according law and whether bribery
ton, other illegal made by the said
BERSHIsE with Brigham Young any other persons
the said election and return with power send for per-
sons and papers
Mr. STEPHENS, Of Georgia. said that he could not
for the resolution unless the gentleman from New York
could give good grounds for its adoption.
The SPEAKER stated that in his opinion this was |
question Of privilege
Mr. BRIGGS remarked that he had submitted this re-
solution with the best of motives for the purpose OF IN
vesgatng the legality Of the election of the present Dele
gate from Utah He had believe and he thought
that the House would arrive at the conclusion from
the papers recently laid before the House by the returned
officers from Utah. that the Delegate from that territory
occupied his seat without any shadow OF ght py law
but rather than PREJUDICE the he had offered TINS re-
solution to refer the whole matter TO the committee OF
Elections that that committee could investigate IT. lie
desired to wait patiently the action Of the committee
though at the same time he soemny oeheVed tiat .he