The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-18

be could got than Of himself and
ing from the northern States"
Mr.. President, taking the article in the Union this
statement OF Mr. STANTON, with the general drift OF the
remarks OF Mr. GoRmAs, altogether, the impression is
likely 10 be made thai sat in the committee the repre-
sentative either OF The Southern Press sngy or OF the
Southern Press and National Era together seeking 10
obtain for those papers. patronage, portion OF the
public printing have TO say upon that. in few words.
that from beginning to end IN every line. word and sy
liable, 80 lar as any such impression or mputaton upon
me is intended. IL is false Ia fact
The PRESIDENT, The senator Is aware that he
must not speak oil what has taken place in the House
Mr. BORLAND Mr.. President | am abiding to
proceedings published IA newspaperso articles pub
shed in newspapers rejecting injurously upos me
doing gross injustice. and am giving them my con-
tradiction apprehend that is not out OF order
The PRESIDENT The senator will listen TO what
is the rule, and then conhne himself within its limits
"Is breach Of order, in debate TO notice " hat has
been said the subject other house. the
particular votes OF msjor,ies there because the
ency not to be influenced by tue proceedings OF the other
and tue Quoting them might bsget reflections leading to
Misunderstanding between the two houses"
Mr.. BORLAND Mr. President. know that you
would not do me injustice. or put wrong consruc-
ton on what said, or intended TO say. think, how
and my reference to the several articles have read you
will recollect that spoke OF them newspaper pubca
tons rejecting upon did not treat them the pro-
ceedings OF the House OF Representatives.
The PRESIDENT The senator expressly named
the individuals who made the speeches from which he
Mr.. BoRLAND named the individuals as the re-
puted authors OF the articles which appeared in the pub
ic press Whatl mean to say. without referring those
articles as the proceedings Of the House, to hose
tlemen members Of the House. but as publications in
the Union and National lntelligencer, that. far
they represent me occupying any such position
have mentioned-hat is, either seeking desiring The
public printing. any portion OF il, for the Southern
Press the National Era any other press--ihey in
every and in every way false So far from repre-
nfia.ra sbnfcn .yfaa -
tain patronage for any one expressly declined advo
cate the claims OF any one This is well known to every
member OF the committee will say further that when
to agree 10 an arrangement by which he supposed por
ton Of the printing could be given him. told him at
once and decidedly, that would do no such thing told
Mr. Fisher told the committee and say here now to
place myself right, for ALL that in regard patron
either to the party press, or to pasans Of any class,
hold this position: will not create patronage for any
one- will not increase prices or patronage for any
but when public work is to be dispensed and have
choose at fair prices and for proper public purposes. for
the execution of the work, between my political oppo-
nents and my political friends ! will give to those who
agree with me IN political sentiment and rejoice il they
can make il useful either TO themselves personally TO
the party to which we belong.
This is the position which have always occupied.
And the statement OF il brings my upon the
committee.
| will repeat here, as said the other day, believe
that under the law, The committee had the power to
take the printing from the contractor, and TO give il to
other persons did agree TO the particular direction
in which they gave that printing because, as expressly
said them, and say now, neither of the parties TO
whom they gave it agree with me in sentiment pur
sue, conductors OF the public press. policy which,
my opinion, fairly represents the views entertain.
which rs calculated to promote the public interests, OF
the special interests OF the democratic party.
The position in which have been placed before the
country by the articles have read from the newspapers
and by the general course OF the majority OF the commit
lee in defending their course that OF obstnatey
and contumaciousy dsegarding The public interests in
an exgency which required prompt action, because
could not obtain patronage for certain presses ndvid
N xuhD nm fandI u,raHty tlu,T
occupied no such position and there truth in any
assertion implication which tends place me in any
sun poson da not Say wanted nothing or was
man OF the House committee TO produce person
recipient of this patronage, said had proposition
TO make. said ! sat there then, as chairman OF the
committee presiding its deliberations ready TO hear,
and put TO the vote, any proposition that might made
bad no proposition OF my own TO make; bu, il one
should De made which met my views OF proprlety and
policy, would vote for il.
Now, MIR. President, presume il will not be out of
what further upon the OF the committee while
was member OF il. To do is necessary a full un-
derstandi9g OF my position, alike the committee and
The president The Chair will state 10 the sena-
tor that strictly speaking, Is not IN order TO detail what
takes place in committees However, il has been done
over and again the Senate without objection and
obstacle.
Mr.. BoRLAND, The action Of the committee to
which particularly allude is that which has, in part,
been reported, in the form Of resolutions, both the
Senate and TO the House of Representatives. Ii il were
true that | had thus obsnately and contumaciously
thrown myself in the way of the execution OF the public
work, should be culpabe before the country Ii it be
true that the action OF the committee, in disposing OF the
public printing, was such exgencies of the public SER
wee made necessary, the best that could
have been taken under the circumstances should still
have been culpabe, 10 extent at least for resisting
or obsucing that action But, sir, deny that this was
So deny that this action either necessary or that
was even the best that could have been taken This
IS my opinion. think facts warrant in entertaining
~, and sense OF duty induces TO express it, say
that although the public printer had violated his contract
and was proper that the work should be aken in part
al least from him and given TO else, yet that il
has not been given to The best prepared and best
qualified to do il and it not agreed TO be paid for at
prices which, in my opinion, warranted by the pub
c interest," or the rights OF the superseded contractor
There were persons every way well qualified and prepared
~ my opnion-even better qualified and prepared than
those TO whom was givenready and willing to do the
work Tor smaller price than agreed TO be given
And hen there stood the contractor, who, however far
he had failed 10 do his duty, still, with his SECURE
ties liable his bonds TO pay the difference between hi,
contract price and this new price. So much for that
Now sir, word upon The resolutions reported 10 the
two houses, respectively representing the action of
the commute. On the 18th, (last MondayD reported
the action OF the committee the stb this resou.
ion
"Roived, That committee enter into contract with
Doncson ~ Armstrong TO do the future printing pres
ent Congress In the House, and with Gideon Co for the
Senate upon such terms shall be agreed upon here
This copied from the journal OF the committee as
The oncal action, by vote OF four to two, OF the Joint