The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-24
rY OF WASHINGTON SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL "a. 1852

monks" and ''rars'lhat is here white place. and
here black botch that the work. in every view in
which Il can be regarded is inferior TO what agreed
Mr.. FLORENCE Did the gentleman submit any Of
TINS work 10 the Housel understood the chairman oil
the Committee on Printing Mr. GogMANl TO say that
there had been documents except the Presidents
sage and accompanying documents, given 10 ,he public
printer His complaint was that there had been no
work done; but now the gentleman from Kentucky, a
member OF the Committee Printing rises his place
aud says that these have been condemned Where are
theyi
MIR. POLK will ask the gentleman from Pennsyl-
wanna il there are not thirty or forty executive docu
ments that have been furnished 10 the printer during
the last three months and that have not been printed
yet
MIR. FLORENCE | do not know anything at all
about that; for am not member OF The Committee on
Printing. attend 10 the business OF the committee TO
which belong, and cannot answer the genemans ques-
ton.
MIR POLK Then say 10 the gentleman from Penn
syvana that be ought not to talk about things he knows
Mr. FLORENCE. | rose for the purpose OF being in
formed and il the gentleman had had his open. he
would have heard my question: and would not have made
the remark he did.
but il my misfortune II my ears are not long as his
| tI.aughterl
MI .GOaMAN The gentleman from Pennsy lvania
misunderstood me, he understood me saying that no
document bulhe Presidents message had gone into the
hands oil the printer great many documents have gone
into his hands, but we have never seen anything OF
them since when they get there II is the last OF them
part OF the Presidents message has, however, come to
US; and il is TO that that the gentleman from Kentucky
audss Il you look over the you h will find The
OF white and then boches OF black They are really so
nsuferaby bad that we could not receive them hope
the gentleman from Pennsylvania is satisfied. will
produce copy and hand il to him.
MIR. BROWN, (resuming) | was proceeding to in
quire when was interrupted whether il was true tina,
the contract system had been fairly tried and had proved
a failure [ had shown that there evidence oi
it's failure up to the commencement OF this session o
Congress, and had stated that believed there had been
combinations to break down. IL il has failed, or shall
hereafter fail in the hands OF Mr. Hamilton, is that con-
elusive that the system is wrong and ought TO be aban
doned That must fail in his hands, under the policy
that the committee propose TO pursue towards him. Is to
my mind the most evident proposition earh II the
committee suspends Job when is half completed, takes
other jobs from him entirely and makes large deductions
from time to time the work which he has executed
who does not that the mans credit must be broken
downs II he was worth quarter OF a million OF dot
lars, he could not execute the contract under such pol
icy as this.
But do not to we'll upon this branch OF the sub
iect have said that. in my Judgment, the system has
not proved failure Ii 1t has failed al all at any time
in any mans hands, it is because you have no, given
II a fair trial
Mr. FREEMAN. (intenupting.) did not understand
the chairman OF the committee to say that the contract
had been abrosa,ed, but cnly that they should employ
others to carry out such parts OF the contract as the con-
tractor has failed 10 carry out do not understand thai
this attack upon the contract SYSTEM but only upon
the manner in which this party has acted under his con
J tract. Is not that thefact
!, 4. AZ.
Mr.. BROWN. Ifthe committee take the printing from
this and hand to Others, or ii they refuse 10
deliver IL over TO him, what is thu, Abandonment OF
the contract Is not that breaking up OF the contract
Does not every that the result OF this action
the part oil The committee must be that the whole OF the
House printing will go TO Doneson 4 Armstrong. aud
The whole OF The Senate printing TO Gideon Co. Mr
Boyd Hamilton will be le at the end OF three weeks from
to-day with not penny's worth OF work on hand. II
is by this proceeding The question is. What does
their action inevitably lead to II the work is taken from
Hamilton by the committee, and their action Is sanctioned
by The House, there is end OF his coniract and with
II we all see that the whole contract system will end Il
cannot be Otherwise.
The COMMITTEES has notified US that they have ceased
10 send the work to Hamilton and have made arrange
men,s wiih other parties 10 do Is not ridiculous
lhen 10 say that they have not abrogaed the contract
They have 10 all inens and purposes, abrogated one
contract and made another II IS sultiyiEg ourselves tc
pretend that il is otherwise.
My reason tor Introducing resolution in reference "a
this subject thisand had no other purpose TO sub
serye-l wanted to arrest what thought dangerous
, proceeding. knew the committee were acting without
having made report TO the House. did not pause tc
inquire whether they had authority TO do all that they
proposed looked only 10 The effect which Their action
was cerlant TO produce. Mr., Hamilton says he has made
an outlay Of $4,000 IN preparing himself 10 execute The
the contract from him-and by whom and in what man.
ner pray Not by CongresS-not by committee o
Congress- but by three mernbers OF the House and one
member OF the Senator Tor bear you in mind this is no
the act OF full committee. And this fragment OF a com
mee doing this without consulting Congress, and
i without reporting its proceedings. Now, let Congress
sanction this act OF the committees and think you, SIR
that this will not here at The next Congress
aod ask indemnity for his losses this ouuayl M
man will question that And what do you suppose ht
will prove II he is hall smart in making proof Al
others have been, he will prove that he was executing
the work as well as II had been done; that he
delivering had been delivered; that hi;
contract rudely and sunnarly snaiched from him
bis business broken up, his credit destroyed and hmse
ruined. And instead OF your getting The penalty OF The
bonds he Will present claim Tor some 100000 or more
against you. Then, committee Is appointed, as there
will be, 10 investigate the subject what evidence vii
there be the record 10 show that you were justified ~
this proceedingl Take The contract from Mr.. Hamilton
under these circumstances, If you will but ask you lc
leave upon the record the evidence which shall justify
your action those who alter you, and who
will be charged with investigation OF Hamilton'
claims DO not 20 out OF this contract and eav,
no trace behind TO mark your exit Before yot
sanction the acts OF this committee, demand a re
pori-a full reporl-one that will justify you before
contract; for rest assured be will present b.
claim from year 10 year. and send il down TO his children
after him. from generation TO generation IL will be pre-
sened time and again, until hnally. Congress Will b'
brought pass IT. IL is this result against which nov
raise my warning voice. -.
II there is anything justify this step the part o.
Congress let the committee repoft Let the House take
the responsibility. Let us know where we stand lie
those who are 10 after us have something with
which TO meet Mr Hamilton, when he comes here BY
himself or through his attorney or successors 10 make
demand for damages on account oil the breaking up
his contract st'
We are told day after day in the newspapers and else
where that the contract system has ae and that Con