The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-27

asked, were To be made Of this censuas One Two
three, or thirty -onc volumes' Could any one te'
lie never would consent to yield up the money
| power Of this House TO any committee. The ex.
pense and the number Of copies, he insisted ought
| 10 be limited, and the manner Of executing The
work prescribed
MIR. JONES, of Tennessee, asked whether he
understood the gentleman to say that there would
be volume for each State as large as the Con-
gressiOnal Globe.
Mr. EVANS replied that he did not know, but
such was his understanding. Looking at the vol
nme Tor the State Of Maryland alone, such would
be the result.
MIR. JONES Then lam against the printing of
any Of it by anybody.
MIR. EVANS. This ia to be the model volune
suppose we print one hundred thousand copies
Mr. STANTON, OF Kentucky, here interrupted
NE gentleman, and said he had understood that
the whole returns would not make a book larger
than the Congressional Globe for the first session of
the last Congress.
Mr.. EVANS remarked that he had no iniorma
ton upon that point; and then spoke Of what took
place during the last Congress in relation to the
pubic printing, when the question Of the Richie
indemnity was before them. The gentleman
from Indiana (Mr. GoRMAs) this morning in
formed them that the present pubic printer has
violated his contract. Now, be would ask that
gentleman whether il not proved during the
last Congress- that Trenholm and Belt had never
printed on paper which required fifty pounds to
the ream; and whether it was not attempted to be
proved by Mr. Farnham that the lighter paper was
the better paper; and whether they were not al
lowed to go on and do the printing with the
press sanction of gentlemen at that time in Con
sress and who are now here? He saw the gentle
man from South Carolina {Mr ORR) before him,
who could say whether this testimony was not
given.
Mr.. ORR said that the contract with Trenholm
and Belt required thirty eight pounds 10 the reain,
and they made use of paper weighing but thirty
two pounds to the ream. The difference was six
pounds, making difference of one dollar and
forty cents in the ream
Mr.. EVANS resumed. Up to lS4S the printing
was given out 10 jobs to editors. when it deter
mined that 1t should be let out to the lowest bid
der. Congress determined that the old system of
corrupting patronage should be done away with
Although Trenholm and Belt contracted for the
printing OF the last Con gress it was discovered
that they were men OF straw, and that Mr.. Richie
was the actual contractor. The resolution for his
relief covered up sum, it understood, of two
hundred thousand dollars. Now, the resolution in
the old sop system; but before gentlemen vote upon
1t they should first inquire whether the census job
does not belong to the public printer.
The printing Of the Legislatures of Massachu-
setts New York, and those OF other States and Of
France, England and Russia, is magniicently ex-
ecuted and bound; but the printing of the Aneri-
can Congress is sent out in way that US to
be ashamed. Why is the census to be given to
editors in the manner proposed? Ia it to support II
party press on the eve of Presidential election?
Do gentlemen propose to build up and sustain a
newspaper which has a paltry circulation?
Mr.. GORMAN (interrupting the gentleman)
apprehended that If the gentleman would look at
history he would tnd sufficient At an
extra session OF the Senate Democratic printer
not only had his contract taken from him, but by
party vote one hundred thousand dollars
voted to Gales and Seaton.
Mr.. EVANS was understood to inquire whether
the gentleman knew this.
Mr. GORMAN replied that he had the record
and the proof.
MIR. EVANS. Then | denounce it, and hope
that the gentleman will not follow such an exam
pie as that.
Mr. GORNAN Iwant tho e.,,Ion,r 40 snn,i
the two nasnes, and ascertain which is the most
harmonious when his party is in power-Gales and
Seaton, Donelson and Armstrong.
Mr.. EVANS replied that the names Of ales and
Seaton were not more harmonious to his ear than
those OF Donelson and Armstrong; and said that il
he had time he could show fraud and chicanery
which would be disgraceiul to the parties
cerned. In conclusion, he offered amendment
to the pending resolution, striking out the names
OF Donelson and Armstrong, and inserting "to the
lowest bidder for cash, the Government TO furnish
the paper"
MIR. VENABLE said that they had heard
the giving Of the printing to tho lowest bidder
called miserable failure, and by way of a
remedy twas now proposed to give the contract
to the highest bidder. There is limit in the re-
solution, so that the work be given to nobody
else but Donelson and Armstrong.
Mr.. GORMAN reminded the gentleinan that the
Committee on Printing we're to contract on such
terms a. they may deem reasonable. Did tho
gentleman suppose that the contract would b.
made on terms unjust TO the Government and ihs
country,
MIR. VENABLE knew that the gentleman and
the coismittee had no purposes other than cor
rect once But what claim have Donelaon and
Armstrong on Congress and the country Mr.
Donelson, TO b. sure cllimed TO be the admlnis-
uhtor OF oenera' Jaekson's opinions, and in his
vocntion he WAS not only doing wrong To hifnself
bot TO those opinions. lie (Mr " felt the power
and influence OF that paper tire Uaton) last sum,
mer. 1t contained federal docuiaes; and. there
fore. had claim upon him. Wt-tber or no,
the proprietors have a claim him, the r.so-
luton proposes to contract with n single I'm. m
every hungry person in the country must trade
with the only man who holds bread the man co,ld
get his own price for it. Gentlemen sny they ~,
for free trade, yet in supporting this rosolution
they recognise restrictive tariff principle. They
dare not go before the people with IT, They wouh
only from England.
II IL be the design Of the resolution to substitute
another public printer, then consent and proclaim
IL; and then II will be known who Ia 10 be the pub-
lie printer. lie could respect gentlemen who diaer
with him, and who assert their principles ind..
pondently; but he never could recognise the prin-
ciplc now proposed. He knew where the matter
begins, but where IL ends he could not foresec.
Then Why do the committee restrict this work TO
Donclson and Armstrong II they have claims,
let them be established before the country; let
all know how much they entitled 10, and fix
the amount. II bonus is 90 be given, let IL come
before the House, aud let all know how much s 81
bc given. n the object Of the resolution 10 10 have
the printing done, open the contract TO the whole
contract 10 have the wsrk executed In the beet
manner and for the lowest sum. lilo agreed with
the gentleman from Maryland, (Mr. Evhss.)
that Congress should furnish the paper, and
pay Tor the composition, prcss.work, and other
expenses But he should never consent 20 make
a contract with any man TO enable him 10
reap large profit merely because he the
favorite Of the House lie bad seen made pub.
lie printers. The history Of Snbad the Sailor for
nisncd an illustration The old man rides gcntlyst
first, but there is no getting rid Of him at last.
Aud We find them playing tunes in which there is
no harmony, and the greatest punishment would
be 20 dance 90 IT, lie never would consent that
the money In The treasury shall be given ssa bonus
TO anybody. While he willing 20 vote 10 feed
the soldier, and take of his widow and orphans
he was not willing to take or select any individual
az iavoritc and give him neans 10 become wealthy,
simply because he is political leader and editor
OF n conspicuous newspaper. lie hoped that gen
tlemen would have the hrmnoss TO keep this sub
ject Of printing out OF the Presidential campaign,
and not contribute TO the support OF press TO orr
Rinae public opinion, and send forth its miasmate
over the whole country.
lie considered himself az under no sort Of oblga-