The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-02-04
Conversational.


WAsHfEsToH CfTH. Jan. 2s.-HSase-
Mr. Howard called atteniion 70 the fact that
the bill before the ComIiiltee OF the Whole
on the state of the Unioh, providing for q
supply of the deficiency in the appropriation
Tor printing, had not yet been discussed but
in debates devoted to general s0bjects.-
That bill has grown out Of abuses which, il
suffered to continue, will bankrupt the
Treasury; yet not single member of the
Committee on Ways and Means, or tire
Printing Committee either, has yet been
able to obtain the floor to discuss The proVi.
sions of this bill, in order to bring out what
has led to this system Of abuse and wrong.
A II ought 20 unite in order to give the mat
ter full investigation. II they devote this
day to their country, their constituents will
forgive them for all time heretofore wasted
In speaking of Indians, Mormons, Kansas
and "Buncombe." General lGu. .er.)-
He offered resolution for extending the de-.
| bate on the bill to. borrow, and con6ning
speeches strictly to the subject. /.
Dir. John Cochrane objected, for the sim.
pie reason that it was now too late to insist
upon such course, as the Committee of the
Whole on the Union had yesterday distinct.
ly refused to enforce the rule.
Further proceedings, on this subject was
terminated by the House going into Com.
mittee On fhe Printing Deficiency bill.
Mr.. Burnett was proceeding to discuss the
printing question: when Mr.. Greenwood
sportively raised the point as to whether
Mr.. Burnett was in order, as he was con6n.
ing himself to the subject under considera.
ton. The Chairman decided Mr.. Burnett
in order. s.aa qs
Dir. Burnett said that the public printing
had been charged as source of corruption
through which the Treasury is robbed
That the gentlemen who hold the Office Of
public printer realize princely fortunes, and
that extensive combinations are formed by
which the printing is controlled. He did
not make these charges, nor did he know
how fur they are true, yet they are made
through the press of the country, and hence
should be fully investigated by the Special
Committee having charge Of the subject. =
1t was to him matter OF mystery how the
public printer could be guiIty Of corruption,
the law regulating his compensation; but il
was nevertheless true that the printing oi
both houses enables the contractors to real.
ize immense fortunes. 1t had been advanc.
ed in favor OF their election. They give
thoae afids Of dolurs. and freely open theft
purses during the Presidential canvass
The printing had grown enormously within
= few years past. For the thirty secone
Congress it was $3.50 900; the thirty tnirc
was nearly $l,7OOO,OO and the thirty
fourth 50 O30 900. He, among other citu
tions Of extruvagance, said that $45 ,44(
were spent for cuts OF woodcocks, squirrels
mice and other apmals worth essly put intu
the Patent Office Report. He was for stop
ping this extravagont drain on the Treasury
| but paying for all the work completed, anG
dispensing with that not performed! HI
moved to amend the bill by reducing the
$3.50 900 proposed to be appropriated ts
S42O, 900.
Mr.. Letcher showed that the amount il
by the last two Cong esses. He alluded t
the fact that the publcative Of ellis As
Economical Expedition cost $ll5 900; tia
OF the Pacific Railroad Survey nearly $3.50,
600, and Emory's Report $347,0 H.
hoped that stop would soon be put to thi
extruvagant system of printing in som
way. The publication of these and othe
works amounted to nothing mJre than tina
the government was to be the publisher O
books which would not tempt private ppb
fishers. Ee appealed to the Committee I
take means to put an end ih future to shame
ful extravagnnces. Their constituents shoul
not be taxed for such unjust and wastefu
purposes. &C.. ....t
Alter further debate the Committee ros
without coming to conclusion on the sub
ject, and the House adjourned till Monday