The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-02-24

crnmcnC, anu QcSCflOeu as IN coop
Grafton with Abolitionists, our re-
minisccnccs are by no means agree
ble, and the sense Of obligation for
such services not remarkably strong.
But this is not the hiefreason of my
opposition to the resolution before the
House. If the doctrines Of that
journal were ever so acceptable to
me-if the political principles in
culcated by it were ever SO sound.
the claims upon me, and those whom
! represent, would not be in any
degree strengthened. am opposed
to the principle by which the offer Of
this printing concern. Gentlemen
who arc decided free. e.tradcrs, opposed
to restrictions and protective policy
they are Jealous for the broades,
competition in all other operations
founded upon contracts let mo ask
them why this case constitutes an cx-
cc2tion? An increase of price must
be the consequence. Would YOU so
lesislate as to compel all who were
in want of bread to purchase from a
single individual whilst there were
hundreds who could furnish this in
dispensahle article? This would be
considered unfair and oppressive leg.
islation, and Of course unjust. Do
gentlemen manage their Irivatc con.
tracts i'll this manner? The mere
statement of the proposition suggests
the appropriate answer. Why, then,
are Donelson & Armstrong selected?
Dc we propose to give away the
public printing as pension? TO
give bounties in this form the public
Treasury-and whilst condcmning
the present system of letting it to the
lowest bidder, adopt a substitute
which must greatly increase the cx-
rcnse to the country? | desire to
understand the principle upon which.
this proposition rests. can differ
with gentlemen upon a principle
without aadEs,i5sS ts; '.1y respect
for them. I.$@E; >",saSim a sincere
;vlmircr of that>AlldGrpenlcncc Of
mind and heart which asserts and de-
tends HE convictions Of the under-
standing. But l can feel no sym,
pathy, no liberation when it becomes
question Of plunder. l know
where it begins, but not where it
ends. l repeat the inquiry, why is
the committee to be restricted to the
editors of the Union alone? This
cannot be done with propricty unless
they have some claims upon us some
great public services rendered, and
which arc still without compensation.
If SO, let them be ascertaincd-lct
the country know the amount Of the
pension to which they are entitled,
and thus, by fixing the sum, We shall
be able to make the settlement and
know when we are done paying. 1t
is always wise that VIC should know
the extent of our obligations, and
pay them as a matter of business.
Bountics for services and compcn.
sation for labor should never be so
intermingled as to render it difficult
to discriminate the one from the
other. If the contract for printing
is to open it to world, open it to
all competition, and give the com
mittee the discretion to make the
contract with individuals who shall
execute it in the best manner and for
the least sum. ! will 20 with my
friend from Maryland Mr.. Evans
in the proposition that the Gov
ernmcnt should furnish paper, and
we should leaving but the mechanical
work to the prlnter-pay the printer
what his work is worth, and give
him fair rates. | shall never con-
sent to make a sort of contract where
no man in this House but a practical
printer ever, knows how much is to
be draMn from the Treasury for the
purpose of filing the pockets of one
who has, for the time, the favor of a
majority here. The remarks made
by my friend from Maryland Mr..
Evans deserve thorough considcra-
ton. | have seen men made public
printers, the organs of parties, and
thus fixed upon them, Of whom the
tabled story of Sinbad the Sailors
"Old Man Of the Sea" is very
striking illustration: He first rode by
charity, and ended in demanding to
ride by right. They are right at
first, but there is no getting rid of
them at last. You will find them
very accommodating in their first cs
says in playing tune, but soon give
you those in which you can perceive
no harmony, and to the measure of
which it is great inconvenience to
DO compelled to dance. I cannot
consent that the funds collected for
the use of the Government from q