Washington sentinel., 1854-05-26

4
MIR. PRATT could see no more propriety for
this section in this Deficiency bill than for whole
regiment Of Dragons He hoped the good sense
OF The committee would induce them TO reject II
entirely.
MIR. HAVEN was opposed 10 the election of two
different printers, so to increase their pay. II
the Senate have seen fit TO get up crusade for
additional compensation, let them provide hos
pila for their own offspring. II was sufficient for
him 10 know that the last Congress, through much
trbulation passed bill providing for the execu-
tion of the public printing, which has worked we'll
There was no occasion TO alter the law 10 put
money into the hands of somebody appointed for
that purpose.
Mr.. BAYLY Put money into the hands Of
somebody Into whose hands is money put by
this bill He was amazed at the argument ofthe
gentleman. Although he was friendly TO the ex-
ecuive, yet he would not place in the hand of
the executive department, nor in an appontee OF
the President by his will and say-so, TO build
up an officer Of one branch Of Congress at the ex-
pense of an officer of the other. Taking into con-
sideration the relations of the two Houses one
eecting its own printer, and editor, and the other
electing its own printer, and editor, what is the
sum of 81 500 in comparison with the power and
terror put into the hands Of the executive control
ing the presses? Was il not better, he asked,
that the printing OF the executive department
should be divided between the two printers?
He thought he understood who his friend from
New York was opposed 10 the section. He Mr.
HAvES anticipated that the next House will be
whg but he would be mistaken, in all proba-
bty. The gentleman was reckoning without his
host, but that was his drift.
Mr.. ORR concurred in the opinion expressed
by MIR. PRATT. III this section which came from
the Senate should be adopted it would involve
an additional expense of not less than thirty
thousand dollars. Is il 10 prevent quarreng
among contractors2 Does it annoy us? Why,
then, change the law? II was time for this House
10 its Independence and its hostility to this
al lppslafiOn. IncOrpOraflnp everything
the deficiency bill.
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, said that some
difficulty had risen relative TO the printing arising
out Of different constructions OF the law. few
weeks ago, one Of the printers (Mr. TUcKER)
make application to the circuit court for writ
of mandamus to compel the Superintendent of
Printing 10 discharge his duty by giving 10 him
certain printing ordered by the House, claiming
it under the provisions of the law temporary
injunction was granted, and the matter is now
tied up. neither printer doing the work.
Mr. BARRY remarked this section had been
introduced, because there is squabble between
the two printers. If a lawsuit is pending, was it
proper for Congre, thus undertake 10 settle il
in future.
Mr. BARRY thought the object Of the section
was TO settle this difficulty.
Mr. BAYLY. II cannot effect this question,
which is pending in the Supreme Court, (relating
to the printing of the agricultural portion of the
Patent Office Report) He did not know when it
would be decided The recurrence of such an
inconvenience ought 10 be avoided.
Mr.. BARRY was understood TO say that he did
not see how this work Of litigation could be stop
ped, unless by making the printers poor that
they cannot litgate any further. 1t was not the
business Of Congress interfere in this individual
controversy.
After further proceedings
The latter part OF the section was stricken out
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, ofieredan amend
ment, by direction of the joint Committee on
Printing, that there shall be no compensation for
work not actually performed. Tie object of this
was 10 prevent the government having to pay for
the composition of documents, when there was
merely change of heading for either branch Of
Congress-.
This was agreed to-
The committee then -concurred in the first
part of the section; thus the whole OF it was
jected.
The remainder the amendments having been
acted upon,
The committee rose, when some of them. of
lesser Importance, were concu rred in, and others
reserved for separate votes by yeas and nays.
The House adjourned