The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-01-29


quiry. | understand the gentleman from lndi.
and TO state that the resolution only authorizes
the committee to make contract with Donel
son ~ Armstrong. lD case they make no rea-
sonable contract, would ask him what they
then intend doing.
Mr.. GORMAN | will answer. The contrac.
with Donelson a. Armstrong for the printing OF
this matter is to be made upon such terms as
the committee shall deem reasonable and proper
and not what Donelson g. Armstrong shall deem
rea 'onable. That is my answer.
Mr.. !lEBARD. That does not answer my
question. After the committee shall have come
TO their conclusion of what price will be- reason
able, and Messrs. Doneson ~ Armstrong will
not accept the terms proposed, what do they then
propose to do
Mr.. GORMAN There is no other remedy
then but to report the fact TO the House.
| Mr.. HEBARD. want to ask another ques-
ton. Why not have this resolution in such
shape that when the CO mmittee come to the con-
clusioD that they cannot make reasonab'e con-
tract with Doneson & Armstrong, that they
shall make it with some other printer without
coming back to the House!
MIR. GORMAN. apprehend that the gentle
mans interrogation does not amount to any
thing. 1t results only in this, that if we cannot
make contract, what are we then to DO! The
gentleman goes into supposltlon that Is not at
all within the range of probability.
Mr.. HEBARD II is within the range of a
business transaction
Ar GORMAN. ! will not retort upon the
gentleman, and say as to what he would do, be.
cause will not enter into that sort of discus.
sion. ] shall confine myself to the facts and,
as gentlemen have been kind enough to listen
to what have said, beg them to hear me fur
ther upon the facts of the matter. II has been
said here that Donelson g. Armstrong are par
tsan editors. True, they are. Here is a job
that is to be given to some one, and ] ask any
gentleman upon that side of the House, if he
had the power, would he not give it to his polit-
ica friends who would do it for an equally, rea-
sonable price?
Mr. FLORENCE May ask single ques-
ton? Do understand the chairman of the
Committee on Printing to say the public printer,
so called, is unable to perform this printing?
Mr. GORMAN. have made no such dec
laration.
Mr. FLORENCE. That he is not entitled to
it under his contract!
Mr. GORMAN Under the law
Mr.. FLORENCE want to understand the
difference between awarding patronage to a
Democrat with newspaper and Democrat
without newspaper. cannot understand why
a constituent OF mine-and make that declara-
ton here-who is Democrat, and by whose
vote, in part, hold seat in this House, should
not be as we'll considered as Democrat with a
newspaper!
Several MEMBERS That is the point.
Mr. GORMAN. He should by all manner of
means.
Mr. FLORENCE. will beg the genteman's
permission to say another word.
NJ I - L.. a.
| Mr. FLORENCE. | will 90 behind no
man
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Perm
syvania is not in order, as the gentleman from
Indiana refuses to yield the floor.
Mr.. GORMAN. My friend must excuse me,
but cannot yield.
Mr. FLORENCE. Only one word Laugh.
Mr.. GORMAN. The gentleman appeals so
strongly that cannot resist. yield.
Mr.. FLORENCE, do not trouble the House
much. am listener, learner, pupil here !;
but, sir my whole political lie will bear me out
in the declaration that 90 behind no man in
awarding what patronage can by my personal
influence and vote to Democrats.
| Mr.. GO2MAN. That is exactly right
Laughterl am willing that that sentiment
shall be Embodied in my speech. | ask my
friends upon the opposite side of the House to
remember that at the extra Session of Congress
in l842-43, a resolution was introduced into
one of the branches of the government in these
words:
Resolved, That Blair a. Rves be dismissed as
the printer or printers of the Senate
| 1t was passed by Wing party vote, and stands
upon your records as living witness comng
up in Judgment against you. That is admitted
This l., not a parallel case to that at all This
| say to my Democratic friends is a simple ques
ton whether we shall give it to our friends or
not That is all there is in it. What more do
we propose?
"The work to be executed under the direction
of the Secretary Of the Interior, and to be paid for
as it progresses by the head of the Census Blu
| reau, with power to abae from the amount stipu-
lated if the work, when executed, shall prove
deficient or below the standard which may be
agreed upon"
ask my friends what more is there in this
transaction! Doneson ~ Armstrong are to do
| it, and it is complained because their names are
| inserted here. tell you if that contract can
| be given them, so far as my influence and vote
go, they shall have it. Why will select them
| in preference to other Democrats? will do So
| tell my friends, because they are organs of the
Democratic party. Is that plain enough! Is it
understood? ] beg my friend from North
Carolina to let by-gones be by.gones. | will
not raise Banquo's ghost here. will not put
the cup to his lips. | am willing to stand side
by side with my honorable friend from North
Carolina to do battle with him for the great
Democratic principles Of my country. do not
care whether he voted for the compromise or not.
am not going to put the test to his lips, if he
sees proper now to march under the banner of
the Democratic party as it shall be laid down by
the Baltimore convention. ask him, a veteran
in the cause of Democracy, when he comes be.
fore the country, not to tell the people that he
is going to prescribe rules for the party, which,
if not adopted, he will separate himself from
| them. ask him to leave little to the gener.
Gus confidence of friends with whom he haa
been associated all his life-a little to the conf
dence of those friends who hold the country
dear-who hold the perpetuaton of our institu-
tons above all price He should act with them,
and because of the declarations of an individual
who has thought proper to be his antagonist
upon political principle, he certainly is not
going to stihe his voice in the cause of his
| country.
| NJ NENAnI 4 that