Smyrna times., 1858-04-01
Congressional Printing.

The Harpers have been thought 10 be the
largest publishers in the United States; but,
according to recent statements in Congress,
Uncle Sam is by far the largest Publisher of
books not only ia the United States but In the
world. The subject has been recently debated
in the Senate, and from the debate we learn
that large as Uncle Sam is as Printer, he is
larger yet as Book Binder. The cost of Bind
ing alone since July, 1856, is six times as much
as the whole cost Of Paper, Printing and Bind
ing for the year 1857. The Bill for Printing
and Binding for the year last past has been over
Rail Road Report (not the road itself is costing
q million! Senator Cameron, aluding to the
naturally large expectations of the People in
consequence of these large sums expended for
Printing, says:
"The other day, good man wrote me that
his son, 'snart bOy,' was fond of freading, and
he hoped | would send him 'sone guod story
books To-day | have a letter from a man
who says he is q horse-doctor and asks me for
books to teach him his trade" (Laughter.)
Senator Gwinn says:
81 do not know how it is with others, bul
really am borne down with applications for
books, seeds aud things Of that sort, and if
do not send them to every one who applies to
me, 1t Is deemed u Cause of personal offence"
Senator Toombs says:
During the recess know had to send to
our village Postmaster q two-horse wagon all
the time TO get my mail. presume that is the
history of all of us. A gentleman would have
TO enlarge his house almost to bring in his docu
mcnts 1t takes almost as many rooms for my
documents as it does for my small family"
Senator Brown says:
"Atter all, the constituent Of the Senator
from Pennsy ylvania, that simpl ple-mInded, honest
hearted, old Pennsy yvanan--I dare say he was
a Dutchman-was not So far mistaken Why
sir, you do publish books for children. What
are all your picture books, but books 10 amuse
chlldrcnl What is the use of books crsmmed
fail of pictures of birds, snakes, lizards and all
manner of things of IN 1t sort, printed in thu
most arlst'c style. with pretty LITTLE. storle
a bOu the habits of the birds, sna kps, and rep
tiles. bur as mere play books! They are MOI
priuted for men, because they contain no infor-
nation that would be of any value 20 man
with beard upon his face, or a woman who
was H. to be the mother of children. They are
mere playthings, got up at an enormous expense
by the Government. Take your books abOuI
the exploring expedition, aud ins' cad of giving
history OF the expedition you will find the
qneerest pictures, and most outls ndsh things
meaning nothing; no historical statement that
amounts to anything. There is one vo ume o,
this exploring expedition. The queerest book
that was ever was put inside of lids. Take
box of common shoe-blacking, and a brush, an"
little white paper, smear 1t all over, and the,
take pepper-hox Of white sand, sprinkle it all!
about, and you will have as good a book a,
that" (Laughter)
One would think after such expositions.-
Book Printing would be stopped in The Senate
but immediately after vote was-tqken on
Resolution to print ten thousand copies Of tn
Report of the COMMITTEE of Patents for ih,
year 1857, on Arts and Many)actures, aud or
the motion TO pos slpone indcfAiteIy the Resolu
ton, the vote stooI-Yeas 1G-Nays %.