Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-12-07
superintendent of the public Printing,

IettSr Wrltlen Dy an lntellSent, Respectable, ana
responsible gentleman of this cty--one who
for many years has been a practical printer
and bookbinder, addressed to the Superintend-
ent OF the Public Printing, and which remains
unanswered by that officer Of the government.
1t will be found interesting to all those who
think that economy should be practised by the
government ana inpartiality be observed by
government officers The letter is suggestive
ofwhat the asthte Legislators Of the country
will probably find it proper to resort to, to wit,
a thorough investigation Of the manner and
terms upon which the printing bookbinding,
and engraving has been done under this re-
markahle administration.
II the rumors which we have heard be true,
in relation to the accounts rendered, admitted,
and certified under the present superintendent
cy Of these matters, there will be something for
committees to do during the present session Of
Congress. 7s 5
In admitting into our columns the following
letter, we are solely influenced by sense of
duty, having no MANNER of feeling adverse to
the Superintendent personally,in fact, we
presume he will he grateful to US for affording
him an opportunity to meet the various charges
before a committee, which have been freely
circulated in this city, to his prejudice. We
may advert to these rumors again tomorrow:
81 WAsHINeTos, September II, 1856
Sin Since the conversation bad with you, on
the 10th Of July, 1855, in relation to the binding
OF the various Executive Departments, which has
been put under your g direction and supervision"
INV "a as,
priaon bill Of last session. and to be found in the
United States Statutes at Large Little, Brown, u
Co.'s edition, 33d Congress- I'd session, page 663,
l have concluded to make you the following writ
ten proposition inrepetition of the verbal one made
on the date above mentioned for the reasons here
With set forth M
The binding having boon taken out of the hands
of the different Secretaries and Chiefs Of Bureau
(who were opposed to this spirit of monopoly that
was contemplated to follow in its train BY the pro-
yiso alluded to- and because it could not all be
made to flow in the particular direction" d.
ycction sought for by the United efforts of a
few interested individuals, the proyiso was called
into requisition to accomplish what had failed to
have been performed in another way. This pro-
yiso, you will recoect, was passed npon the very
heel OF the last moments of the late session OF Con-
gresS, when its members had not the time and OPP
portunity to discuss its merits and see its effect
and bearing, or its object and purpose Thus you
will perceive what you are expected to perform
under this color Of q law by those who sought this
change for their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Permit me also to call your attention to the fact,
that the law creating your Office of Superintend-
ent of Public PrinAng," and providing " for exc
cutting the public printing, and establishing the
prices thereof, and for other purposes (passed 32d
Congress, LIST session, chapter 81, pages 80 to 35,
inclusive, Little, Brown, & Co.'S edition. define
your duties, attaches penalties for any interest you
have in the IN ms and fxaa and nr0vidpa ~
prices thereof. But in regard to the bind' mn Il
does not define your duties, attach pc a,t;as or
auy interest you may have in the So 80 - a. and
provide the price therefor nor 49, 4 nrov;so
which puts under your dr. action and snperyis-
but leaves the whole ,.,.ar = ,or ~ ads VIII
unlimited discretion nnssr 81 bs cnnyertad IN
tie advantage of the government or the advan-
tage " s"o who are in the shady background,
ana s Sro sought the passage of the proviso with
the " expectation by them, believe, of your
cooperation for their benefit.
| hope the foregoing facts and conclusions may
| induce you TO secure to yourself the honor and
credit Of being the custodian or guardian Of the
government interest," instead of the interest Of those
who were sclictoss for the passage of this pro-
yiso referred to. The wsbeing defective in their
provisions, as have shown BY reference to said
laws, and will repeat, in not defining your duties
in regard 10 the binding put under your direc-
ton and supervision" by the proviso alluded to,
and by the printing act referred to above, and in
not fixing and establishing the prices for the same
will respectfully suggest for your consideration
and adoption, under all the circumstances Of the
| case 1aE
LIST. That open and fair competition be invited
from all the binders of this city for the work that
comes under your direction and supervision" by
the aforesaid proviso, without your duties being
specifically Defined and thus rid yourself of any
imputation that might otherwise be cast upon You
in aiding and abettAg the suggcstors of this plan
| of overreaching all the Secretaries and Chiefs Of
Bureaus, indirectly, by the mode mentioned.
| II the foregoing suggestion is not adopted, to
| give every binder an equal chance who has the
\ ability and skill to do the work in satisfactory
manner, and the government is not TO get the full
benefit Of the change, (which must have been con-
templaed for the public interest by the honorable
gentleman who proposed the proviso, without see
ing the motives which actuated the nstigators or
orignators Of this plan Of monopoly, so antidemo-
cratic, and so repulsivc TO every sentiment of de
mocracy under free and equal laws and equal
priyileges,) then, In this event, do hereby dis
tinctly propose 10 execute all Of the blank
books, binding and ruling" 81 for the several Ex-
ecutive Departments,n at thirty-threo per cent.
less than you are now having charged, or pay
ing for the same, without open and fair compe-
tition, a. the bills rendered against the Depart
ments will show up TO the present date. The work
to be done in the best manner and with bond and
security for It's faithful performance 10 be given
and TO be stipulated that the work shall be fully
equal to any that has passed under your "super-
vision and subject to your approval, with the
right of appeal the event Of our disagreeing upon
any point az TO the quality Of the work executcd)
TO the head of the Office for whom the work Is
done, and who alone, in my opinion Is competent
to decide what he wishes for and wants, and whose
Il decision shall be FINAL and conclusive.
With this proposition before You, leave you to