The daily union., 1852-01-15

on all sides OF this chamber-wh regard to the prope-
~ OF passing this resolution II is work undsposed of
says the honorable senator. Why undisposed of Sim
ply because we have not ordered the Secretary OF the In
ieHoI 10 PRINT H. Ii we make the order TO print H.
II WIN not be undisposed OF for then in the law OF
le42 and says the Union Office shall do it, unless they
are willing TO do II on the lowest terms Let the honor
able senator make his ORDER and then the law OF lsi2
comes IN aud takes hold OF it. He first proposes to alter
lhat law and take the printing out OF the hands OF the
proper department. and yield il over to my honorable
friend from Arkansas, Mr.. BoRLAND j but he says he
Will not do iand respect that honorable senator very
much-for he does not like the job. But my honorable
friend from Indiana Mr.. BRIoHrl guesses he find
senators who are willing TO do this do not know but
he will. Perhaps the honorable himself would
volunteer in order help this most lucrative Job into
certain concern for which he seems 10 have most pro-
found sollcltude about these days.
But, says the honorable senator, can get precedent
Tor all this because Congress has been buying books of
Gaies Seaton for about quarter OF a century can
tell the gentleman that have very exalted opinion
OF that operation; and if he will introduce proposition
70 repeal the whole SYSTEM will not only vote for the
proposition, but restore the books tina, have received TO
the government more waseful, a more profigate, a
more wicked system of dsbursng the public money has
never existed earth than this system of distributing
books to members Of Congress II is not because be-
lieve that members OF Congress- in the form OF mileage.
per dem or books really get than fair compensa
ton for their services know that earn every dollar
that receives and if shall earn enough TO carry
not upon that ground all We take of the public
treasury understand SIT per volume for the Archives
and give them TO member. What are they worth to
him They not worth three dollars per volume. We
pay hundreds and thousands OF dollars out OF the treasury
OF the United States and hand these books to mem
bers. If we only divided the money among ourselves
there would be some proprely and in it but
for the purpose OF comforting this little pcayune benefit
upon this member the other take these large sums
from the treasury. have received the books myself
and when new members come in | constrained TO
vote Tor It but would be infinitely better take this
money out OF the treasury, and increase the compensa-
ion OF members, Or distribute it among ourselves man.
he tp,h
indirect method which really of very little importance
to US one way or the other.
But The honorable senator says that because this old
and corrupt system--and hope that shall be pardoned
Tor using that word in this connexionhas come down
to US from some Congress- do know how long ago
because we are in the habit OF ordering books he desires
US give IN the same way this piece of departmental
printing which he says will cost but $300.o00; and
the way that he arrived at that was by supposing
that the volumes OF the size of the Archives will only
cost $6 EACH whereas understand that the Archives cost
Mr.. BRIGHT Mr.. President, desire to correct the
senator where he is. did not the word corrupt"
Nor did say word against ordering books by Congress-
nave never voted Tor books have uniformly voted
against them, although | have taken them, OF course
when they were voted But have not declared myself
Mr.. SMITH | am sensible that in speaking of the
manner OF book distribution have travelled in some
degree beyond the record The honorable senator refer
red 10 II as being some justification OF this extraordinary
measure; and think am in order 10 insist upon that
II ought not TO be initiated. But what is it, after all Is
il anything than buying books 1t is congress
sona printing or departmental printing; but II buying
certain books containing great deal OF political nfofma
tlon OF one sort or another, which distribute among
the members, under the idea ha, they will contribute in
degree TO qualify for the discharge of our duties
here. They have had very little effect on my mind
They have done me very little good As to the Archives
venture to say that have not looked into them three
times since have been in one or the other branch OF
Congress know that Congress have purchased books
do not know that they have paid loo much for them,
but do know that they have paid than they
worth. hope that my friend, when he brings up the
example OF the Archives does not apply the
Union office the enormous price volume that pay for
them for pay Sl7, and ii he takes this valuation, the
100000 that he speaks OF being the cost OF the work
will become half million al the very least.
But how does the senator know II will cost only
S3oo0o0 On That basis does he make that calculation
Has the honorable senator told us how many copies OF
this work be proposes to prints And is it not absolutely
necessary that Congress should settle the question with
regard to the number OF copies before anybody make
any calculation upon the cost Of the work, the
cost of composition, to say nothing about press-work
My honorable friend. for whom certainly cherish
ments OF very high respect is, know, vigant and
highly valuable member OF this body; and will do him
The justice TO say that | know OF no who is
prompt more energetic and more determined in resisting
the passage through this Senate of bills likely 10
burden upon the treasury without the severes scrutiny
But in this matter the honorable be pre-
pared to act entirely in the dark There 10 be
something extraordinary in this subject which has dis
armed the vigilance OF my worthy friend so that, with
out knowing the probable amount OF this work, he is
ready to act upon it, The Superintendent OF the Census
mas informed mat ne got one Ntate done. DO
not know how long they have been in arriving at that
point Of consummauon, but believe over year; and
when the thrtytw are 10 be wound up
SENATOR There are only thirty-one.
Mr.. SMITH. That may be bat there will be 49, ii
they do not all get inte The census, before the work is
done; and when that will be, we have no means of
knowing. know that we provide for the publication OF
various works We provide Tor publishing speeches
with what profit or utility TO the country do not under
take to say We paid during the last Congress ~ so per
column 10 the Intelgencer and the Union. The lnie
gencer could not live by the operation, and the lnte-
therefore has gone out OF the business The Union
still continues TO prosecute with and ~ ii is
our debates should be reported in full If 81 so is not
adequate compensation for the Union, shall be willing
to add 10 it. particularly are now relieved from the
expense OF publishing debates in the nelligencer
But SIR what has all that TO do with this question What
II we 40 appoint the Union TO print our debates What
we 90 no, open the printing OF our debates TO public CON-
peuuonf what has that to do with this question: This
is matter OF departmental prining and say that the
very moment that we order the printing or determine
upon the number OF copes and order the Secretary of the
Interior TO print IT. that moment under the opera
ton of existing laws, and disposed Of But having adj
yesterday, upon this subject do not believe il right or
proper for me 10 espass any further upon the attention of
the Senate day. and cordially haHk honorable mem.
bers for the indulgence with which they have listened 10
my remarks.
Mr.. HALE. want to say a word upon this subject,
although enter upon ii with great reluctance, andthe
Senate will excuse mewith great dfidence because,
sir, have been entertained OF late with such lofty sub
jectshe safety OF the Union. the spirit of the age,
the progress OF manifest destiny, national intervention,
the Magyar race, &chat il is great effort TO clip the
wings OF mans imagination, and come down 10 prnt-
ing office, and deal in such place matters the
mere printing Of this will be. But sir part