Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-03-23

very low price.
90 not understand, Mr. Speaker that in virtue
Of their appointment as public printer to this body
Eorbett Co. eT gid tsrniR entitled to The print
ing Of this Code And maintain that it is the duty
Of every member upon this floor, 10 appropriate as
little money as possible towards this work so that
it shall ben gooa book, Of good type, paper, &c;
and say here i5 q large difference between 81 80
and 81 20 per copy, where there 5000 copies to
DO published. When We take into consideration the
fact that this amendment provides that the work is
to be done upon stereotyped plates; that the plates
are to be dsiiyeTed TO the Secretary Of State with
cut q dollars additional expense, and remain the
property II the State-the plates worth from $500
to $1,000 that hereafter if additional copies should
be required they can be procured from these plates
Of perhaps one fourth Of the cost Of printing with
movable types-these are all manifest advantages.
The amendment provides further, that if printed
upon movable types the work shall be furnished at
81 80 per copy.
We all know that if It's cheaper to print upon
movable types the public printer viii print in the
cheapest manner Then If you want new edition,
it will cost Just as much 10 set up the types and re-
print the book, as il win now cost the State
Why do gentlemen insist on giving the work 10 the
public printer? He is no more entitled to it, than
any one else unless he takes it in virtue of con-
tract and if he had made contract that is oblg-
atory on the part of the State, should be the last
man to repudiate IT, But do not so understand it.
position 10 dc the work at the lowest price.
A1r Speaker, / have seen some very severe STRIFE
ures on these gentlemen, Messrs Stevenson s Oven,
in an article published ia the Union and American
over the signature Of "a Member am told that
the author of that article is0ue Of these detestable
Col fUrsaken K0ov Nothngs This article insin-
uaed pretty strongly, that fhe Mefhodisl Book Con-
Germ might be 81 ghtiy tinctured with Black Repub-
licanism. Now, sir, know nothing abouL the
political opinions Of these geHtlemen--i only know
this which beg leave TO state to the House; that
there has never been church in this country or
any other, whose clergy and members have stood
more firmly in defence Of Southern institutions and
rights, than the Methodist Episcopal Church South !;
aud submit thst il is ungener0Us ard wrong, that
this imputatiOn should be cast upon lheIa.
Again, see it stated in the same paper, that this
concern had done great wrong to the Union and
AmerieG7-that they had come here as paupers-had
obtained what they have by charity, and were now
managing and intriguing to take away from the pub
lie printer their contract. Now, cir, IN justice to
these gentlemen, it is due to them is due to truth,
to state that they did not make an original applica-
ton for this work.
1t is due to them and to myself to say, that / ap-
piled TO them to publish this Code, and asked them
for statement of their terms-of the smallest price
ut which it could be afforded Up to that time they
had thought nothing about it. They did not
want 10 take it. They enquired whether or
not, in virtue Of the public printing having
been given to the Union and American, they would
not be entitled to the work; and gave it as my
opinion, that in virtue Of their appoir they
were not entitled 1t was in this way, sir. that they
came to make their application to the Legislature
for this part Of the public printing. And l ask
now, what man can deny to any citizen Of Tonnes
see the right to apply to the Legislature for any
part or portion Of the public printing it is right,
sir inherent in every citizen, whether he belong to
the Methodist Church. OraBy other: and it is no Of
fence-no intermeddlng-nO damniDg sin for any
respectable church agent, having the means and g.
bility to publish this Code in better style Than the
Union and American, to file their appcationfor this
purpose. maintain, sir, there is no Justification
no cause here for denOuncing these men. 90 not
Justify attempt against mans reputation be-
cause he is my rival
Mr. ROWLES, interrupting. I rise to a point of
order. must respectfully submit to my friend Wheth-
er he is at liberty to go into this controversy Of the
Union and American?
Mr. KING. It is the first time in my life sir, if I
am indeed out Of order and ! apprehend, that it
would not have been discovered now but for the as
tute pertinaeity Of my friend from Bradley.
Mr. ROWLES. insist upon the point of order.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Shelby will
Of course, conine himself to the amendment.
Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, ] am not going to say
anything wrong, for I am on very good terms with
all the world and the rest Of mankind, and partic
ularly with the members Of this Legislature
rlaughter.7 This bill now provides that the Code
shall be furnished-fve thousand copies COMPLETE
some time about the middle Of August The prop
ostion of these gentlemen IS that they will furnish
the Code oOmplete-stereOtyped good paper
well bound-everything ready to be delivered
sixty days after the copy shall be delivered to the
printer. That is q consideration. And they are
prepared to give any sort of security that they will
comply with the conditions Of the contract
Mr. DUNLAP. Mr. Speaker, as a member Of the
Code Committee, will state that when the subject
Of printing the Code came under consideration en-
curry was made Of the Editors of the Union as to
what it would cost, and whether they had made any
preparations to have the Code printed in a very
short time. The Committee were informed that
thew had gone on and made contracts for the type
and paper, and would be prepared fully to complete
the work in the shortest period Of time in which the
work could be done in the style proposed. Now,
would it be rgh-since the public printers being
required, within a certain time 10 complete this
printing and have the books distributed, and since
they have prepared themselves with all the mate
rals, because it would be impossible for them to
comply with the law as to the time required-I ask
would not now at this time be an act of very great
injustice to the public printers to take this
lob away from them. Sir, cannot do it. even though
it might be done for a few cents less. Then there
is something due to them as public officer of the
State These men have spent their money for the
purpose Of complying with what they have under
stood TO be contract with the State of Tennessee
Mr. POLK. understand that a contract has been
entered into for the publication Of this Code that
it has been given to the Editors Of the Union and
American-public printers, elected by this body. 1
am unwilling by any act Of mine, after they have
made the necessary preparations to take away from
them this work and give to another Sir, there is
no public journalist that can give satisfaction to
every body. might myself comp lain-eyery men,
Der might complain Of these men but at this time
hold is the duty Of the Legislature to give them
this work. We all understood at the beginning Of
the session that this Code would be brought up
peted and printed and the public printer has pre-
pared for it. and it would be sheer Injustice and il
iberaty now, to take it away and give it to snoth
er establishment.
Mr. BEALE I wish to know who made the con-
tract with the Editors Of the Union to do the work?
Mr. POLK. l will inform the gentleman that the
Legislature elected the proprietors of the Union and
American TO be public printers You did not do it;
but a majority Of did it. Sir, it is a contract,
and you cannot take it away from them without vi
olating the obligations of that contract
Mr. ESTES. If l understand this question, there
is three propositions in it First, whether we viii
have the work printed on types stereotype plates
| admit that legislators do not know much about
printing: but from the best information l have it
would be best for the interest Of the State to have
il stereOtpyed from this fact that if the first ed-
ton of the 5000 copies ordered should not be suti
cient TO meet the demand second edition will cost
as much as at the start whereas, II stereotyped,
it would cost much less. Indeed, we might print
any number Of small editions according to the de-
mand for the work. Then, sir, the plates will be
the property of the State, and changes in the laws
could be readily made in The plates; and for small
price we could have a revised edition of the laws
every two years would not that be a saving to the
people? The next question is who shall do the
work.? If the present public printers are entitled
to it. it would be bad faith to take it from them.
certainly have no objections to their printing the
Code; but think the Legislature should make the
best bargain they can for the people.
Mr. POLK demanded the previous question, but
gave way for
Mr. BULLOCK, who said: Mr.. Speaker The
gentleman from Bradley is substantially correct
as to what occurred in the committee room when
he was present, at the time we we're discussing
the question whether we would surrender the copy
right 1t is due to the Publishing House that should
make a statement as to the charge of their inter-
meddling. Before the question was submitted to |
the committee at large, the quezl-n was discussed
between the three working members Of the commit
tee and the revisOrs to how their compensation
was to be paid-whether the State would give Meigs
& Cooper the copyright for furnishing so many |
comics and in that connection the committee di- /
rected them to make enquiry as to the terms they |
could afford to make; and l believe they enquired /