The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-13
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THE PUBLIC PRINTING


The House resumed the consideration of the fol.
lowing resolution, reported on Friday last, from
the Committee on Public Printing, namely:
Rssolusd, That the Committee on Printing, un-
der the joint resolution of August g. 1916, have the
power to adopt such measures may be deemed
necessary TO remedy any neglect or delay on the
part of the contractor to the work ordered
by Congress, and to make pro rata deduction on
the compensation allowed, or refuse the work alto
gether should it be inferior to the standard and
in all cases, may hold the contractor and his secu
rites responsible for any increased expenditure
consequent upon the non performance of contract,
Mr.. FITCH said that his colleague Mr.. Goa
MANI had, q former occasion, reiterated a
charge, which had been before made and denied,
that coalition existed, having for lite object the
defeat OF the action OF the committee, and COM
posed Of gentlemen, mostly Democrats, entertain
ing opposite sectional sentiments. He did not be-
leve such q coalition existed and he had acted
with those who opposed the action of the commit
tee; and he could therefore say that no such Goa
ltion existed outside of the lima gination Of those
who made the charge. He did not assert that any
coalition existed, but if il did, il between gen.
the proof Of this was strong 70 justify jury
of intelligent TO hesitate long before they dis
charge the PARTIES concerned as NOT guilty.
Mr.. POLK clearly inferred from the gentleman's
remarks that he had some allusion to Donclson
and Armstrong. Now, he could authoritatively
state from those gentlemen that they never con.
scented TO a combination Of the two parties, nor did
they consent 10 the action Of the committee up 10
the last hour, nor even in the last hour.
Mr.. FITCH remarked he never said they did.
The committee did not excuse the Republic, which
has abounded in abuse Of the Democratic party
and their principles; and yet Democratic COM
mttee place the at the disposal of the edi-
tors OF that paper TO increase their misrepresenta-
tons, and 20 propagate them throughout the coun-
the committee defend that paperi II political or
party services are entitled TO reward, where was
the principle TO stopi The House have no right to
vote money for such purposes, and more especially
Il 81
ly STILL there is right on the part Of Democratic
Congress TO place, out Of the public treasury, mo-
ney at the disposal Of a leading party paper OF OPP
posite politics, thus increasing it's power for mis-
chief. AZ 70 tho Compromise, in connexion with
hs subject, the question 10 settled, and no man has
the right 10 60 back TO the time Of its passage for
test OF Democracy. Whenever the attempt is made
IL will prove Notifying failure. IL 10 right and
highly proper for Congress to avow their acquies-
cence in the Compromise measures, and the deter
mination in good faith 10 preserve them. This
much 10 due from considerations OF national char
acter.
He then reviewed the report of the Committee on
Printing, saying that tho committee had not re-
deemed their promises in the particulars he emu
meratcd. 1.-THE House should hereafter be deceived,
IL would be their own fault. The committee, he
commended, have transcribed their powcrs and their
report conclusvcly showed, II any thing. that they
intended 10 dsobey the instructions Of the House.
10 conclusion, he proposed the following n sub
siitute for the resolution Of the committee. viz:
Resocsd, That the joint resolution. entitled "joint
resolution directing the manner Of procuring the
printing for the two Houses Of Congress" approved
August 3, 1876, empowers the Committee on Print
ing to provide only Tor the execution OF such print
ing has been "ordered by Congress" and in tho
execution Of which there is "any neglect or delay
on the part Of tho contractor"
Rcsolvfd, therefore, That In making a contract or
contracts with any other party or parties for the
execution Of the future woodwork not yet order.
ed-tho committee exceeded lite powers, and such
contract or contracts are null and void.
Rfsofffd. That the notion % the committee W.
improper In proposing 10 procure the execution Of
said painting, now or hereafter 10 be ordered. ne 10
or may be neglected or delayed, at prices unneces-
sarily high. inasmuch as by procuring it's execu-
ton nj such prices they would release in part, the
contractor from liability " for any increased cxpcn
diture consequent upon the performance Of the
Rssoicsd. That the committee on the part OF the
House having exceeded their powers, and having
declined obeying the instructions OF the House, and
expressed disposition rather than do so TO vscate
their position the joint committee, the latter Of
the alternatives they have presented be accepted,
and that they be and hereby are discharged from
any further service said committee, and the
Speaker be requested 20 fill the vacancies thus
created in the Joint Committee on Printing.
Mr.. STANTON, OF Kentucky replied. He said,
having spoken on n former occasion, he should not
have now risen, bad not tho great object OF the
gentleman seemed TO be 20 misrepresent the com
mittce, and drive them TO abandon their places.
But he was not disposed 10 abandon his position at
the gentleman's dictation, except on ono cond-
ton.
Mr.. FITCH (intcrrupting) said the gentleman
intimated that he had manifested disposition TO
drive the committee into resignation. Now, in the
most uncquivocal language. the committee had
presented the alternative; and were the House 10
submit 10 their dictation He said may when
they presented the alternative.
Mr.. STANTON. Let me have the report, II
you please.
Mr. FITCH said that the Globe was on his desk,
but some gentleman had taken IL away.
Mr.. STANTON remarked that those who heard
him on that occasion would recollcct he said il
the House thought il 10 be the duty of The com.
mittee TO obey the instructions Of the House,
against the plain provisions Of the law, they could
not perform the duty, and would be compelled 10
wash their hands Of the matter and that IL the
House deemed they had more power than both
Houses Of Congress and the President united. and
required tho committee to obey the instructions Of
pne branch Of Congress only against the law, the