Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-23
The Public Printing.


The unusually quiet proceedings of the House
of Delegates were varied on Wednesday last oy
a lively discussion on the subject of electing a
Public Printer. Wednesday was the day agreed
upon by both houses of the Legislature tor the
election of Printer and other officers, and when
the business came up Mr.. Seldom, of Stafford
moved postponement till Monday. Mr. clay
brook. of Westmoreland, was taken by surprise
and enquired the reason for the desired postpone
ment Mr.. Seldom promptly assigned three rea-
sons: First he was not prepared to say whetner
he would go for any Printer. He was tired OF
the system of partisan reward, and did not be-
lieve that the bounty of the Commonwealth
should be accorded to any man as reward for
party services.-Well done, Mr.. Seldom! Be-
cond, it was rumored that Mr.. Richie was about
to 20 abroad as Minister of the United States 10
Naples, and if he were reelected the ONCE wouiu
be left vacant. Third, he (Mr 81 did not wish'
by the reelection of Mr.. Richie to be consid'
cred as endorsing in any form or manner the re-
cent course of the Richmond Enquirer.
Mr.. Claybrook was still more taken aback-
1t was bran-new idea to him that allegiance to
the Democratic party had anything to do with
the election of Public Printer.-What verdant
Democrat Mr.. Claybrook must bel He wished to
know if the Legislature was to proceed upon
Democratic principles, and declared that he ut
terly ignored such feelings within his own breast.
Why, Mr.. Claybrook! you hav'ss learned the
first article in the party creed. But he's young
in the faith yet, having very lately been Wing
Mr.. Crane, of Randolph, defended the Enqul-
rer and Mr.. Richie, and then Mr.. Raymond, OF
Marion, took the floor. This gentleman said, he
had been informed that the public printing could
be done for % per cent. less than the present
cost, and that the profits of the office were $lo,-
900 each session. He said the credit OF the State
was below that of any prompt paying man in tile
Commonwealth, and there was no money to be
spared as a bounty for party services. Mr. Hay
mond, also, was Wing not long ago.-lf the
Democracy don't take care these neophytes will
undermine all of their me-honored doctrines
and practices.
Mr.. johnson, of Taylor, supported the position
of Mr.. Raymond, and urged a postponement of
the election. Mr.. Davis, of Monongalia, took
the same side, and spoke rather slightingly OF
the Richmond papers. Mr. Seldom then rose
again and pledged himself to introduce bona
fde proposition by which saving of % per cent.
on the present charges for public printing could
be accomplished, and the faithful execution OF
the work secured. He disclaimed any desire to
make an attack upon the Enquirer, and, 'if he
had anything to say, it would be rather lamen-
tation at its humiliating backout upon the Sena-
torial question"
The result of the discussion may be learned
from our synopsis of the proceedings. 1t is evil
dent that the Hunter men, having succeeded so
easily il the Senatorial election, are determined
to drive their opponents to the wall. The State,
however, is deriving some benefit from the Hun
ter and Wise controversy. But for that, Mr.
Richie would have continued to receive his $1O,-
900 per session, without word of objection.