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

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Now, ask the gentleman from North Caro-
lima, il he supposes any committee composed Of
honorable men, and honest men, who have the
letting of that contract, will for the purpose of
allowing any party to make money, for any
political purpose or any other purpose make
an arrangement for this census printing at rates
above those generally paid for the same kind Of
work?
Mr.. VENABLE. The gentleman knows that
DO not doubt the honesty and integrity of any
member of that committee.
Mr.. GORMAN. Then hope the gentleman
VIII not continue to insist that the course Of
proceeding proposed in this resolution will
result In corruption If supposed myself
capable OF an action Of this kind, | should con.
slider myself unworthy Of seat in this body.
MIR. VENABLE. IL was no part of my pur-
pose in making these remarks, to implicate nv
honorable, gallant friend, the chairman of the
Committee on Printing know that he would
recoil from contamination on the suspicion of
corruption with the sensibility of u wonnd-his
nature is too elevated, and his heart too pure.
This is also true Of honorable gentlemen con.
nected with him upon that committee. have
the highest confidence in them. But they are
not practical printers. They do not understand
the art and mystery of printing, and therefore
say that the contract should not be given uncon
ditonally to Doneson u Armstrong, and leave
them to set their own prices. Besides, will
show them that the census printing under Blair
~ Rives was very different from the census
printing now, and that the prices of printing and
paper are now greatly below the rates at the
date Of their contract
/ Mr.. GORMAN. If the gentleman will allow
me, will tell him that one member of the Com.
mittee on Printing upon the part of the Senate,
Mr.. HAMLlN, is a practical, printer
Mr.. VENABIE. That makes the chance n
great deal better. But, as Iwas proceeding to
say, will show that the census printing under
Blair " Rlves, was very different matter from
what the census printing is now. We have
been shown that it will take volumes upon VOL
umes to complete it, The office of superint end
ent promises to fill the coming decade. have
not stated, nor do intend to state, what Blair
q Rives made by that contract They confess
to large amount made by that contract and it il
theirs. But if have made an improvident bar
gain once, and did not avoid the mistake the
next time, then experience would be worthless
We learn nothing, if not made more cautious.
and We repeat the same bunder 1t is best that
you should strike out the names of the indiyid-
uals designated from the resolution. They may
obtain The contract, il they will perform L
/
dence demands that whenever this bargain ia
made that propositions should be received from
any and all practical printers, to do the mechan.
zeal work, and the government furnish the paper.
ask, and hope some gentleman will tell me.
why Donelson & Armstrong are to have this
printing! ask again, and receive no answer.
why are they selected from all Others TO do this
work What peculiar claim have thew?
| A VoIos. Why should they not have itq
Mr.. VENABLE. Why should they have ne
They have no claims upon me that know of
| They have held me up in common with those
with whom have acted as Southern fanatics
cooperating with Northern Abolitionists! They
have denounced us in the strongest terms which
they wero capable of using. They have no
claims upon me, and wish to let them know IL
course such as this journal has pursued can
| never create claim upon the confidence of
those who received their denunciations. What
claims have they upon the government? What
claims have they more than any other printers 2
What more than Blair g. Rives-more than
| Foyd Hamilton, already executing a ruinous
contract, struggling with the endorsements
arising out OF that contract, and claiming this
printing at our hands! 1t is Job of practical
printing, and practical printing alone; but Boyd
Hamilton is no editor, merely an humble laborer
at the press. Then should like to know-and
the question has not been answ.red-from
whence and how did this claim of Dopelson &,
Armstrong originate.
Mr. Speaker, have spoken plainly, because
think painness and candor becoming and proper.
have, without resentment, given expression TO
the convictions of my understanding, ard the
feelings Of my heart j mean to act indepen-
IDENTIFY and without any concealment of INV
views. The time when had feelings of resent
Tha
old line Republican States. Rights Democracy
was, so far as was concerned, fierce, but impo
tent. But Il memory Of events is JJat so easily
oollterated. believe that we are deeply respon.
slble Tor the dissemination Of unbound opinion
more so, indeed, than for criminal acts. The
one Is general and extensive evil the other
limited in its effect, and disarmed by the deforn.
iiy Of the vice. ! confess that my shirt chafea
when saw in paper purporting to be the
organ OF The party TO which, from my youth nm.
had belonged, denunciations on those, the
grdremen OF whose offence was, that thew con.
cured with Jefferson aud The republican fathers
that they adhered TO the ancient republican
landmarks, and veneratcd almost to idoatry the
Constitution. The selection Of the editors of
that organ as the peculiar favorites of this body
Is The exclusion OF all others--the extinction Of
any chance Of CON- etition; selection which.
to be Just, must be founded upon acknowledged
publIc service and extraordinary individual capa.
bllilies. No evidence of either has been fur
nlshed, ard insist that so extensive and costly
an operation be submitted 10 the ordinary COM
petpon which the custom OF the country has
mace law; that The law requiring the printing 10
be let ny contract 10 bidders be complied with,
Tor II Is unrePealed, and that our present printer
NJ least have a chance 10 recuperate from the
ELECTS OF bad contract, by chance for bet
ter one.