The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-30
rY OF WASHINGTON FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 80. 1862

Coming down 10 the last Congress, find that the
contractors William M. Belt who took the second
fourth, and fifth classes John II Trenholm. who took
the third class and John I Towers, who took the hrs
class, which the printing OF bills and resolutions In
regard 10 Mr. Towers II ought TO be stated that so lar as
know and believe, there most perfect per-
Torrance OF the contract on his part think the chair
man OF the Committee Printing will agree with in
regard TO that But, far regards Trenholm and Belt
there failure not less gross and aggravated than
that during the preceding Congress- do not know that
they had type Of peculiar character cast help out the
line and spread the matter much surface possl-
BILE; | suppose they had not But nevertheless, there
utter failure in the quality OF the paper and in
the binding the chairman OF the committee very well
knows Trenholm and Belt contractors for the bind
ing, believes and understand they farmed 1t out and
made profit upon il to the amount of several thousand
dollars. There the same failure with regard 10
promptude in the execution OF the work. Every word
which the chairman of the committee stated that sub
ject is true shall bear testimony TO the recttude
and fidelity with which he and the other member OF the
committee Mr. HAMLINl discharged duties in regard TO
It which were very painful
But will add something which the chairman forgot 10
state and that is, that after the documents had accumu
lated in document room and after he and the senator
from Maine mr. HAMLINl had decided that they would
them too-at my suggestion the other members OF the
committee saw fit to appoint me subcommittee
to look into the matter and ! believe they gave me
instructions not TO receive the documents or, rather
appointed to receive them if they conormed to the
contract. went into the document and looked at
them knew that the contract, if performed according
enormous loss, or rather Mr. Rche, who was really
the party in interest And confess that had some ref
erence 10 the condition Of Mr.; Richie felt for him
sentiment OF commseration. thought he had Iunous
contract. Members wanted the documents, and took
the responsibility of deciding that they should come in
thought they worth all that we had agreed TO pay
They received but did not suppose that the two
houses of Congress would entertain the purpose OF pass
ing bill to make up any loss tina! he would sustain under
contract violated grossly; and least OF all did believe
that they would pass BILL the House OF Representa-
tiyes did, and as afraid the Senate might possibly
do, which would give him the enormous fortune-accord
$500 600 believed the bill would give him at least
profit of 800 900, and have been told since, by pac
iica printer OF this city, that would have reached the
figure of $l5o00O Probably, therefore, the honorable
senator, Mr. BoRLANp] when he likes the compensation
which Congress about TO make for broken promises
at 5000, 900, IL not far out OF the way.
And yet bill of such monstrous provisions did pass
the House. and was the very point OF passing the
Senate and would have done so had it not been Tor the
interpositon OF the honorable senator from Maryland,
MIR PEARCE] to whom the country indebted not only
or saving so much treasure, but also for protecting us
from an example to the last degree mischievous.
In this way admit that this method Of disposng OF the
congressional printing TO the lowest bidder has proved
mental printing has failed But why has the contract
system with regard to the printing OF the two houses
failed It is partly the fault of Congress, but perhaps
much more the fault of the contractors themselves When
the Thirlieh Congress- either by design neglect toll
Grated Wendell & Van Ben,huysen in the violation OF
their contract they laid the axe at the root OF The Tree
the whole system. What followed In the case OF
Trenholm and Belt, they underbid even the prices Of
Wendell & Van Benhuysen, who claimed to have sus.
tanned under their contract, broken il loss of
about twenty thousand dollars. What did they do In
consequence Of the liberation that had been extended
! TO Wendell & Van Benthuysen. they did exactly the
same thing They did not do the printing in season, and
they utterly failed in the quality Of their paper The
books distributed in vast numbers were SO imperfect or
inferior in typography paper, and binding, as to be re-
proach alike Congress and the country. have
several 1916 sent OF our public doc
uments to friend, member of the British Parliament,
and have never done but with ''shame and confusion
| of face"
We are now brought down 10 the present Congress,
and the contractor is Mr.. A. Boyd Hamilton, who has
stipulated do the work at lower prices than those
paid al the last Congress Ii is no part of my business
or duty, OF my right, as am situated, TO pre-
Judge his but know perfectly well what is to fol-
low We not to have the documents in proper sea
SON. Those that laid on our tables may perhaps be
printed according TO the contract, very nearly so but
in regard the long numbers, have every reason TO
anticipate the violation Of contract by him which
we have tolerated in Wendell & Van Benhuysen, and
Trenholm Belt Mr. Rtchie the printers OF the last
Congress. Besides, | greatly apprehend a failure in
point OF me so render the documents OF little use
TO us in the discharge of legislative duties Hence
is apparent that il absolutely necessary that we should
have change in this system. But desire TO say TO
nv honorable friend from Indiana that am not for Civ
ing up the contract system, though change
and we ought TO attend TO the modification oil immedl
aely Perhaps may feel il my duty, at the very next
Injecting OF tne 10
the Committee on Printing with the duty of considering
what modification should be made in this system And
am willing TO make the resolution arger-to inquire
whether should not repeal or set It aside entirely Tor
wish no limited inquiry this subject But Will now
indicate what my ideas in regard TO the change that
should take pace do il with the more freedom, be-
cause it will TO illustrate my views in introducing
10 the consideration OF the Senate the amendment which
| have offered 10 this resolution.
think we should separate the supply OF paper from
the composition and press-wok hat - the first step
to be taken Why should not the United States furnish
It's own paper3 What has been the difficulty with the
execution OF former contracts And what are to be the
difficulties at the present session OF Congress- Ihey
arise from the manner in which we cheated IN paper
and do not believe too harsh term in connexon
with this subject Let furnish our own paper !
want TO know why should be cheated IN paper why
is that advenurers come TO this citymen who are not
connected with any establishment hereand underbid all
The local printers II is because the bidding is not merely
on the composition and press-work, but the party is to
furnish his paper. The party takes his pay cacu-
lated on the former Ii the orders for short numbers
composition and press-wok is TO be high IT Tor long
lively low. The bidding being the press-work and
with stipulation 10 regard TO the quality OF
The paper the parties who really intend to get the con-
tract and al the time cheat out oil the due pei
Torrance OF Il, come in and bid on composition and
press. work at very low rate: whereas the propetos
OF he Union, the propretos OF the lnellgencer, me
prepfeors OF the Republic, and the propretors OF the
various lob establishments this city, such as rowess
BID for the composition and presswork with the dea OF
furnishing good paper and performing the contract bu
your adycniurcr comes here and bids composition and
press. work at low hgurebelow everybody else-ano
then calculates 10 make mp the difference by supplying
L..I ~ .n.r infcrior