Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-27

OF the Public Printing has been engaged in buy
ing and selling in the discharge of his trust
His letter, which will be found below, will
satisfy any man, not only that the charge that
the Public Printer has been the recipient of
enormous patronage-to the extent of nearly a
million of dollars is sweepingly unfounded; but
that if it be true that there is collision and
corruption in connection with the contracts for
the public printing and engraving, as alleged,
the guilt lays at the door, not of the Supefin-
tendent, but equally at those Of the Vice Presi-
dent, the Speaker, the Senate and House CON-
mittees on Printing AMI Engraving, and the
officers Of the Treasury Department; and
that the parties with whom they have
made the alleged corrupt contracts number
fifty or sixty, perhaps-business firms scat
tered all over the cOuntry-whose ntegrity was
never questioned until that course was found
necessary in the current work of persons some
of whom having black-mailed the present Prir-
ter past endurance, now seek to defeat him by
forming combinations with all ravenous after
"piunder. " and dinging into the public ear un
founded charges concerning his discharge of
the duties of his office.
THE PRINTING OF CoSGREss
NEW YORK, Nov 81, 1857
My DEAR SIR | send YOU, as a Democratic
editor OF Democratic journal, a correspondence
deemed by me of some Importance as eliciting
information upon subject which has been a
fruitful theme for newspaper comment for some
time past, viz: the printing of Congress.
The facts ELECTED will be OF use to those who
feel an interest in the matter and by giving ii an
early insertion. and calling the attention u the
press 10 H. you viii oblige, yours very truly,
w. D Parsons, Esq, Editor and Piopr ietor of
the Daily News
NEW YORK, Nov Is, 1857
SIR 30 many stories have been circulated for
months past in regard TO the enormous amount
paid for the printing of Congress-so many gross
Interpretations, (whether intended or other
wise | will not undertake to determine have
been current in regard to ''corrupt combine
tions, public plunder,'' - lavish expendi-
ture," &c, &c-that deem ii proper, Justice
TO myself az member OF Congress, upon which
these misstatements in a great degree reflect. to
seek through In official channel the means of re-
futing them. j have, therefore, TO ask that you
Will be pleased TO answer the following inquiries
if possible
First. What is the entire amount paid. or to be
paid to the Public Printer, for printing executed
for the two sessions Of the Thirty fourth Con-
gress, and to what parties,
Second. What is the entire amount paid, or to
be paid, to the public binders, for binding extra
documents for distribution for the Thirty-fourth
Congress, To whom paid, and how are the
binders selected,
Third. What is the entire amount paid. or to
he paid for paper used for printing for the Thir-
the paper obtained,
Fourth. What is the entire amount paid, or to
I've paid, for engraving and printing engravings
Illustrating documents ordered by the Thirty
fourth Congress, To whom paid, and how is
such en- raving and printing obtained,
An sarly answer to these queries will much
OC esisned Your 00F jaTH E st[ysr' New vo.
A pul,
Printing, Washington.
OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT Public PRINrIys,}
WASHINGTON, November ~, 1851.
Hon John Kelly, NJ. c., Ne,c York CAY:
DEAR SIR: 1 have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your letter of the 18th instant pro-
pounding inquiries relative to the cost Of the
printing. binding, paper and engraving for the
Thirty-fOuEth Congress, which I shall proceed
To answer as follows:
" LIST. What Is the entire amount paid, or TO be
paid. tothe Public Printers for printing executed
for the two sessions of the Thrty-fourth Con-
gresS. and tn what parties,'
Answer--S962, l2- 3. The printers are elect
ed by the two Houses OF Congress, respectively,
al the commencement OF each Congress to ex-
ecute the printing of that Congress Tie prices
to be paid for the various kinds Of work are
fixed by the act Of 10th August, 1882 Their ac-
counts are first examined b. the Superintendent
and certified they are then Te-examined at the
Treasury and il found correct, are paid there
The printers Of the Senate for the Thirty fourth
a
small portion OF the First Session J and the Hon
A. y +. Nicholson for the residue OF the Con-
gresS Cornelius Wendell Esq is the pr inter-
for the House OF Representatives.
''2d. What is the entire amount paid or TO be
paid, to the Public Binders, for binding extra
documents Tor distribution for the Thirty. fourth
Congress TO whom paid, and how are the
binders selected? p
Answer ,ste 80 The binders are elect
ed by the Committees on Printing OF tue two
houses oI Congress, respectively, at the com
mencen-nt OF each Congress. The maximum
pIice 10 DE PAID for binding is fixed by law.
Their accounts are examined and certified by
this office, and are transmitted TO the Secretary
OF the Senate or Clerk Of the House, as the case
tee ON Accounts Of such House, and IL found cor
rect, paid by the Secretary or Clerk The
binders for tn Thirty fonrth Congress are James
q Mcclure, E-q. OF Washington Tor the SEN
ate, and Jos. X. Williams, Esq J., Of Toledo, Ohio,
for the House Of Representatives.
3D. What is the entire amount paid, or to be
paid, for paper used for the Thirty-fourth Con-
sress To whom paid: and how is the paper
obtained ?"
ANswER-s5i3.sie 81. The paper is obtained
by public advertisement asking for proposals. >,
In the manner required by the act of :l6h August
leS2 These proposals. are opened in the presence
Of the Vice President of the United States, the
Speaker Of the House OF Representatives. and the
Superintendent OF the Public Printing and the
contracts awarded to the lowest and best bidders
The accounts Of the contractors examined aud
certified by this Office, and transmitted to the
treasury, where they are re-eXamined, and. il
found correct, are paid. The contractors for the
year 1856 were az follows:
Class Is. !. Megargee, Philadelphia Pa
2-H. V. Butler i Co, New York n Y
3-Campell, Hall Co, New York NY.
Al. V. Better & Co, Paterson, NJ
81 Kingsland Il Son, Belleviile. N. j.
Cd. NJ Holingsworth, Groton, Mass.
7-Charles Magarge Co, PHILADELPHIA
s-Campbell, Hall 4 Co, New York
9-Jessup 4 Moore, Philadelphia, Pa
The contractors for the year 1857 are as follows:
Class Is. ]. MegaTgee, Philadelphia, Pa
2-H. v. Butler d Co, New York NY
3-Keeney. Wood & Co., Manchester, CT.
Al. V. Butler Co, New York, n V
81 r Kingsland, BelIeville, N J.
&C.. p. Tileston, Dorchester, Mass.
7-George II. Lewis. Philadelphia Pa
81 NJ HOllingsworh, GrOton, Mass
9th. What is the entire amount paid or 10
be paid, Tor engraving and printing engravings
illustrating documents ordered by the Thirty
fourth Congress to!~hon paid, and how is such
engraving and printing obtained o,
Answer-S283,3 J9 DO The engraving and the
printing and coloring Of engraving are obtained
by advertisement inviting Proposals - These
proposals, when received, are opened bv the re-
spective committees of the two Houses OF Con
grrss having charge Of these matters. who award
N. L.,