The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-18
WEDNESDAY, May IL.

CONCLUDED
Mr.. FITCH While upon the subject of
promises, it will be as well, perhaps, to allude
to two or three others. The one have men,
toned was made to individuals. There were
promises made to the House. We were told,
that if the entire matter was referred back to
the committee without Instructions, whatever
printing they should give out to any party other
than TO the public printer should be given upon
the terms of Towers's bid. Has this promise
been fulfilled? Let that report upon your desk
answer The committee, in that report, and in
the late debate, admit that they have deviated
from that promise, but tell us that the terms
which they have adopted, in giving out the
printing to other parties, are substantially the
terms of Towers's bid, and that the variations
are not material Now, Mr.. Speaker, | do not
know what the committee deem material, but it
appears from the figures of the terms published
by them, and from the statement of gentlemen
who know, practically, something of printing,
that the difference between the terms of Towers's
bid and those adopted by the committee, is
some fifteen to thirty per cent, that the commit
tee have adopted terms that much in advance Of
the terms of Towers's bid. This is a difference
which, apprehend, the country will esteem
somewhat material, the opinion Of the commit
tee to the contrary Notwithstanding. They
Justify their action in this respect, by stating
that they have adopted the terms, of Towers's
estimate. Now, sir is it sought, by associating
Towers's bid and Towers's estimate, to convey
the impression that the terms are the same !?
There is the difference have mentoned-a diff
ference Of from fifteen to thirty per cent.
The bid by Towers was made more than a
year since, when he was competing with Rives.
Hamilton, and others for the public printing.
The estimate was made very recently-made at
the instigaton ola gentleman who is interested
in having the action of the committee sustained.
It was given TO that gentleman, as is understood,
without any knowledge upon Towers's part of
the use to which it was to be applied, and its
terms have been adopted, not to give the print
iny to Towers, who made the estimate, but to
give it to other parties, to whom the committee
had predetermined to give it under any circum-
stances And they gave it to those other parties
upon the terms of the estimates, Notwithstanding
Towers notified them that he was ready and
willing to execute the printing in good faith
and give unquestionable security therefor in
accordance with the terms of his bid, the terms
which the committee had promised to adopt,
Have we no cause to complain OF the manner
of the fulfillment of this premise
Again on Thursday, the 9th instant, the
day after the instructions were adopted and
sent to the committee, we were distinctly told
that these instructions should be followed. But
will read the language used:
"Mr. german. | ask the gentleman from
Massachusetts to allow me to make one remark.
The House have given us directions in relation
to the public printing, and now give notice that
we intend to execute strictly those directions,
and if the House wants any of its printing done
civ ~ ar Hiroo ttnno
And again.
"Mr. German. only wish to repeat what
I have said, that the House have directed that
we shall let out this printing which the public
printer cannot execute after ten days, advertise
ment. Now, the public printer has not done
ANYTHING according to the contract, and give
notice that the committee will execute strictly
the directions of the House, whatever may be
the delay in procuring the printing necessary to
be done from time to time"
am bound to believe that my colleague Mr..
GoRMANl endeavored to carry out those in
structions, but was defeated, out-voted, in his
efforts in the committee.
Mr. GORMAN did; and felt bound to
do go, or resign my place upon the committee.
Mr.. FITCH. II matters little, however what
was the cause of the failure to fulfill the
promise; its iulfllment has failed SO far from
obevinp the instructions of the House, the COM
mittee now report to us deliberately their inten-
ton to defy and disobey those instructions.
They present to ps the alternative either of
sacrificing our self respect by allowing them to
defy and disobey the House, or permitting them
TO retire from any further duties upon the com
mittee. Can we hesitate one moment which of
these alternatives to accept! No, sir self
respect, and proper regard for the business of
the House, and the legislation of the country,
demand our acceptance of the latter. Let it be
accepted We were told, during the previous
debate, that "smal section" Of the Democratic
party was endeavoring to rule the House, in
endeavoring to prevent the bestowal of the
printing upon parzan editors for partizan pur-
poses and that we had tolerated their recre
ancy" too long, and that there WAS no hope of
success if it WAS only" to be purchased at the
expense Of our long established principles"
True Yet, sir, we find "small section of the
party" conjoned with portion of the Wings,
under the lead of the Committee on Printing,
asking the House to "tolerate their recreancv'
in attempting TO bestow the printing upon their
favorites at prices higher than it would have
been taken by Others without competition, and
in violation Of the spirit OF the contract system,
although our doing 50 must be at the expense