The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-17

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branch of Congress now active and leading Unon men,
recommended 10 the southern people They have
Withdrawn their recommendation Whether II Is their
organ now or not, do not know But they established
~ they recommended II To the southern people, and told
them Thai u was capital good paper and many OF them
subscribed for 1t on their accommodation Messrs;
Dawson, MANoUM. and others OF the Senate, and
Messrs. IoohBs, STEPHENS, and various other gentle
men OF this House, united this recommendation. II
those are responsible who brought into existence the
Union men may respond for the Southern Press
Mr.. FREEMAN. | doubt not but that there are
great many who subscribe to that paper but Gay
own opinion is that the number OF persons in the State OF
Mississippi who agree with the sentiments OF that paper
are exceedingly lew. think strong impression will be
created from my colleagues remarks that that paper is
his organ.
Mr. BROWN, Of Mississippi. | never said any such
thing.
Mr., FREEMAN. | would not have such an opinion
prevail. whatever may be the difference between my col
league and myself regard 10 the doctrine Of secession
do not desire the opinion to out here, from any
mark he might make that the balance OF the delegation
agree with the sentiments uttered in that paper in relation
to the doctrine OF secession and dissolution that they
the opinions OF any respectable portion OF the
nifty Of Mississippi. would ask my colleague ii the
Mr. BROWN, One solitary word upon the subject of
organs. My colleague asks me-
M. DEAN rise TO aques,ion OF order
Mr. BLOWN hope ] am not again to be ruled down
on point Of order
A VOICE, Let Mr.. BRowN reply TO his colleague
Mr. BROWN. ! have only 10 say in reply
bate between the two gentlemen from Mississippi in
Mr.. BROWN. ! will say that the Southern Press is
not my organ. am my own organ.
The SPEAKER, (Mr. JONES, OF Tennessee, in the
char) II has been the practice of the House during
this session for The gentleman in occupancy OF the floor
to yield It 10 another gentleman; and upon occasion
the present occupant OF The chair took appeal from
decision to that effect, and the House sustained the de-
csion.
Mr.. DEAN My point is that the discussion is irrele-
want
Mr.. POLK. I call the gentleman from New York to
order. do not see any point IN his point OF order
Mr.. STANTON, uesuming) alluded to this subject
for the have stated and because the Southern
Press the first TO attack the committee, denouncing lis
action as fagitious outrage repeat that know
OF other attempt at coalition than this made by Mr.
Fisher and the effect OF his disappointment has been
in the columns OF his paper.
Alusion has been made by my honorable friend from
Mississippi MIR BRowN] TO the fact that there a
aor from Connecticut upon that committee who happen
ed TO be wing and soler and he places beside
him as forming sort OF unhoy coalition for corrupt pur
poses.
Mr.. BROWN: No; not for corrupt purposes.
+ MIR. STANTON. Political purposes then. | do not
think it necessary to say than have already ex
culpate myself from the mpuation of political motives
IN voting as did IN the committee. is due, however,
truth, and The honorable referred to- Mr. Tru.
man smith, TO say that he not in favor of giving
any portion OF the printing to the conductors OF political
press He was warmly IN favor of giving the work to
Congress He opposed the Republic TO the last moment
and only alter every other expedient had failed
and under The stern necessity OF the Case that he yielded
and gave his vote TO the two firms which selected
by the committee. have TO believe that he
did act from OF public duty. and with the sole
desire 10 DO what he deemed best for the public interest
Now Mr.. Speaker, propose 10 state briefly the
sons which made it necessary to give portion of the
public printing 10 other persons think they such.
when calmly considered, will fully justify the
mtee IN the they have thought proper pursue
The contractor, on the third day OF March. 1851
ted his contract 10 do the public printing for the Thirty
second Congress Its terms are such 10 require him
to execute the work, IN all respects IN better
than the printing heretofore has been done have the
contract before me, signed by himself and his
rites. IL spuates that the work shall be done accord
ing TO sample attached TO the instrument and made part
of IT, further requirement is that the paper shall
weigh fifty pounds TO The and be of quality equal
to sample which is also attached and made part oil the
contract Now, these provisions OF the contract
such he had fully complied with them, would have
secured 10 Congress better work and better materials than
any ever before furnished by the predecessors OF Mr.
Hamilton. IL is not the fault OF the committee that these
provisions in the contract The law prescribed the
duty OF the committee, and our course plain, and
bad no alternative but TO enforce the contract we
found IT. We had no power 10 vary lis terms. The pa
per heretofore used had been equal what
required by MIR. Hamilion's conractperhaps never to
exceed forty pounds 10 The The paper agreed TO be
furnished by Mr. Hamilton weighed fifty pounds TO the
feam and upon this quality OF paper the whole work
10 be executed.
The Committee on Printing met at an early day Of the
session, organized itself and entered upon the discharge
OF It's duties IL was not long, however, before IL
apparent TO every member that the contractor
man OF straw, who had undertaken this work. not with
the expectation OF carrying il on in good fah--and
quote his statement when say So because be gave
the committee, during an interview We had with him,
distinctly 10 understand that be did not expect fully 10
comply with the terms OF the conact-but relied upon
the indulgence OF the committee 10 allow him TO do the
work upon inferior quality OF paper. This would
have been fraud upon Congress- which the committee
could not tolerate; and be promptly informed OF IT,
came then TO the House, and, in the OF debate
which progressing at The time, announced the fact
that the public printer greatly in default with the
public printing and that he did not expect execute il
in good faith The next morning he laid upon your table
statement fatty conradictlng what had said, and
tanning reckless string OF as that laid up
on your table yesterday deemed necessarynot know
ing much OF the man. and having him before the
interview in the committee room-io vindcae my
yeracily fortified by the statements of the mem
bers Of the House who belonged to that committee, in
support OF the truth OF my assertions The members from
The Senate the committee, who heard MIR Ham
tons remarks concued with the members OF the House
They all gave fiat contradiction 10 his printed state
ment
Mr. MEADE win the gentleman allow me 10 ask
him whether | understood him just now--and ask
purely for informationio state, the words OF the
tractor that he told the committee that be did not under
take this business with view OF carrying II out but TO
be able TO perpetrate fraud upon Congress-
Mr. STANTON. No, sir, you are mistaken. This is
what meant TO Say
Mr. MEADE. What were his wordsl
Mr. STANTON In conversation with the gentleman
from Indiana, tMr GoRnAs,l he gave us distinctly to
understand has been stated by other members OF the
committee, that he did expect TO Up TO the re-
qurements OF the contract but relied upon the indulgence
OF the committee TO tolerate inferior quality OF paper
Ii would be fraud upon Congress- for ii was an erpress