The republic., 1852-01-07
Congress.


In the Senate yesterday, the resolution OF
| Mr. BRIGHT was taken up, directing the Com
| rnittee on Printing to contract with Messrs.
| DoNELson and ARMSTRONG for printing the re-
turns of the Census. Mr.. BoRLAND proposed
| an amendment, substituting for the Committee
| on Printing the Secretary of the Senate and
| the Clerk of the House; and the day was
chiefly occupied with the discussion of this
| amendment. Mr.. CAss, Mr.. GwIN, Mr.
BRIGHT, and Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, spoke mop
position to il, and it was finally Withdrawn by
the mover. In the course Of the debate the
system of contracting for the public printing
with the lowest bidder was almost universally
condemned. We believe Mr. UNDERWOOD
thought that, if it were strictly enforced, il
might be made to answer; but the opinion
seemed to be peculiar to the honorable Senator
from Kentucky. 1t was stated by Senators, and
not denied, that the present contractor was
every day violating his agreement, and fur
nishing inferior work. and it was shown to be
by law the duty of the Printing Committee,
under such circumstances, to abrogate the con-
tract, and to make new arrangements for the
public work.
II was also stated, and not denied, that dur
ing the whole period for which the lowest
bidder system has been pursued, the work of
Congress has been badly printed and badly
bound, and executed under circumstances which
render it of no use either to Congress or the
country. The only answer to this is, that,
though Congress may get illegible printing,
bad paper, bad type, bad ink, and bad bind
ing, they get all these things at half price. and
that the lowest-bidder system is, at all events,
the " cheap" system. There is great force in
this argument. We are poor country, have
no money in the Treasury, and, if we can save
little by cutting down the wages of journey
men printers and similar candle-end economy, +,
it is very desirable, in our destitute financial
condition; aud the gentlemen who are disposed
to figure in the capacity of Treasury save-alls
will entitle themselves to the gratitude of the
country.
Seriously, we think that the "pcrsecution"
of the topographic art has been carried about
far enough. 1t is unworthy enlightened and
liberal Legislation to persist in policy which has
which it was intended. We agree entirely with
the honorable Senator from North Carolina, Mr.
BADGER, in the sentiment that he has repeat
edly expressed on the floor of the Senate, that
it would be well to throw the money into
the sea that is now expended for the public
printing, under the system of compulsory con-
tract with the lowest bidder Indeed, there 10
little no difference that we can find in the
published views of Senators on this subject; and
the only wonder is that system which all
condemn is permitted to continue.
There is one view OF this "cheap" system
which was not taken yesterday, but which
merits attention. 1t is the constitutional duty
Of the PRESIDENT TO make certain recommend
ations to Congress; and he is frequently called
upon to furnish documents in explanation or
vindication Of his policy. BY the "cheap''
plan j, happens, in five cases out Of ten, that
the papers necessary to explain the recon-
mendations Of the PRESIDENT, or vindicate his
policy, are not furnished to the country till
months after they have been communicated to
Congress. Is this just to the Administration
is this just TO the constituency
In the House of Representatives, among
other business, various reports were made from
the several standing committees. The House,
in Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union, had under consideration the bill provid-
ing for the payment Of the last insialment to
Mexico under the treaty Of Guadalspe IIidalgo;
but the subject was not finally disposed of when
| the adjournment took place