The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-05-18


,l,ars Tor the long session. and three dollars TO
NJ. .,,ort .ession This action of the Senate was
xplIowed the mex. year by order Of the House. au-
fhorTzipg each of its members to subscribe for the
same number of copies and on the same condi-
tion Three years later, in 1850, another order
was passed by the House, authorizing each MEM
her 10 subscribe for twelve additona copies This I
was before the passage of the Senate resolution OF
the last session. authorizing the publication of the
debates in Ihs Globe at the rate of seven dollars
and 6fiy cents per column. Let see what was
the amount of encouragement thus ext.nded to
the reporting and printing of Congressional doings
ard .leoates. Sixty-two members received twelve
seopes eaeh which mikes seven hundred and for
ty-four copies; and two hundred and thirty y-three
members of the House received twenty -four cop
-ies each, making Eve Thousand five hundred and
ninety two copies. The subsci ipton OF 10th
Houses therefore, amounted d to six thousand three
hundred and thi1y-six copies. Congress TOOK
six thousand three hundred and thirty SIX copies |
of this publication. This was equivalent to pref,
ty large list of cash paying subscribers anu c'u'o
hardly fail to make the publication pron'ao'e'-
Now, sir if the worthy publisher ofthe Gooeshouio
ahink fit to discontinue it. WHICH certalniy 60 not
desire. does any man, can any man donht that thus
snubIie subscription, together with the certainty OF
private patronage. wonli induce compe' ent pub
sgishsrs to undertake similar work, and reportihe
whole proceedings and debates as fully shey are
reported now? And yet, as have already stated
we are paying the publisher of the Globe. under
tie resolution of the Senator from New Hamp-
shire, seven dollars and fifty cents per column for
preparing the very work for which the subscription
ismade. The subscription amounts to S360l6
for the long session. and 0oa for the short ses-
sion. The amount paid under the resolution of
the Senator from New Hampshire, since its ad
option on the 29;h of January, 1882 is S24, 433
7e--say about 1900 for the short session. T::,is
is not ALL for the House of Representatives. follow
ling the example ofthe Senate, has directed its pro-
ceedings also to be published in the Globe, at the
same rate of seven dollars and fifty cents per col
umn find upon reference to the appropriation act
of August, 1852, that the sum of S2I 900 thea
appropriated to pay for reporting the proceedings
rofthe House in that paper, and the further sum OF
S649.5 TO balance, fer reporting and publishing
daring the preceding Congress. ulso find IN the
defcisncy act ofihe last session, further saPpro-
priation of S9.275 to pay for like services during
st,at session. These, Mr.. President are consider
sable payments. This business of reporting even
in single paper il very costly. am by no means
certain that the practi.e improves the character of
the debates. do cot know that it adds anything
to the consideration of the Senate or the House
with the country. do not believe it does either
think it a. a..badssysten. 1t makes it the duty Of
the reporter to set down every word uttered, no
uatter how trivial. how unimportant, or how i'll
considered. 1t sends at vast expense much that
is valuable indeed butnuch also that is worthless
and not little that is worse than worthless all
over the country through these hired agencies
But, sir fthe system were good in itself, why en-
ploy more than one paper! Does not one cost
enough! Is it not enough to pay some $3S, 900
in the way of subscriptions, and about the same
sum for reporting and publishing for each long sos
sion and spro2ortionabIy for the short sessons?-
This looks good deal like paying for publishing
book, and then buying greater part ofthe edisi.n
Is 1t worth while 10 pay more than publishe rl
In respect TO the Globe we have gone even be-
yond paying for publishing and buying large part
of the edition We have provided that the resi-
duo of the edition be distributed free through
sthe mails. No such advantage is enjoyed by any
tage. The privilege of free receipt in any sec-
tion of the country however remote, is an inducs-
ment to subscription for the Globe, which must be
decisive with every person who takes paper for
information in respect to Congressional proceed
ings. No will take the Inteliigencer or the
Union to learn what is done in Congress- and pay
postage, when he get the full reports of the
Globe without paying postage. IL the resolution
ofthe Senator from New York should be adopt
ed, will mot imparialify require that the privilege
eof free circulation be given to both these papers.
Mr.. President am not one of those who object
to sustaining party press by gvingit the pub
lie printing. in The ordinary legitimate course Of
business. Those who represent the popular ma
jority have aclear right to prefer in public employ
ment presses persons of like political opinions.
But tits an abuse of power to promote party or
the expense ofthe public inter est.
Senators and Representatives are trustees for the
country. We have no right to give extra prices to
political friends rather than legitimate prices 10
political opponents. We are bound to regard sa-
credly the public interest," and in the disbursement
OF public money intruste to charge, to observe
economy. have shown beyond all controversy,
think, that no good reason of a party or public
nature exists for the publication of Congressional
proceedings and debates in the Uuion egen-much
less can any such reason be given for their pupil
cation in the IntelIigeneer. So far am from be-
ing willing to extend the system, and now. after
having substituted the Globe for the Intelligencer
under the circumstances have described to re-
new the employment of the latter. and thus pen
sion third paper upon the Treasury, and pave
the way for the introduction Of third corps of re-
porters, thatsI would discontinue the employment
of the Uoion. Fer one, indeed. am ready to say
that would discontinue the system of paid report
ing altogether, and leave the whole business to pr
yate enterprise. I have no doubt it would be q
very sufficient and adequate substitute
The resolution under consideration proposes
N hire the notification of the dnhntns o.I .,..