The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-16
The Public Printing.

The Public Printing.
A movement which was made in the
House of Representatives, on the first day
of the session, to elect, by resolution, a
Printer to the House, in derogation OF the
rights of the Contractor with the State tor
such printing, warrants us in devoting the
space necessary to inform Members of the
condition in which the laws, and the con-
tract entered into in pursuance OF them,
have placed this item of the public patron
age. And, at the outset, we desire to say,
that we presume Mr.. AcKER, who bears the
reputation of high-toned gentleman, was
not informed of the condition of this matter
at the time he offered the resolution referred
to.
At the session of 1878, the project was
mooted by members Of both parties, of max
ing the public printing, binding, and adver-
Using, matters of business between the
State and parties who might be employed
to perform the work and services required,
and of taking them entirely out of politics.
The bitterness OF feeling which was annual
" engendered on this subject, and the enor-
NOUS length which discussions upon it occu-
pied of the time of the two Houses, doubt.
less led to this desire on the part of the
members. In accordance with this feeling
bill was framed, proposing to have the
whole matter disposed of by contract. The
bill thus framed was submitted to the print
ing COMMITTEES of the Senate and House,
who met together for consultation upon its
provisions. At this meeting, the represen-
tatives of the Press of the State, as far as
they were then present at the capital, at
tended. We recollect, distinctly, that the
Press of this city was fully represented at
this conference. At the suggestion of these
Editors, various alterations were made from
the original draft, until it was placed in
shape satisfactory to all parties and IN
terests.
When all objections to the bill had been
thus removed by amendment and compro-
mise, it was introduced into the Senate. Its
passage through that body was advocated
by every member present, except one-Mr.
NORTON, of Winona. The following extract
from the official Journal of the Senate, for
March LIST, 1858, page 265, shows the uuan-
imity with which the bill was passed by that
body:
ST. No. LOGAN Act to Provide for the
Letting of the State Printing, Binding, and
Advertising was read third time, and put
upon its final passage. And the yeas and nays
being ordered, there were yeas ~, nays l. as
follows;
Those who voted in the affirmative were.
Messrs. Beman, Carlton, Cave, Cowan, Cook
Day, Dunwell, Hall, Hudson. Hull, Mixer,
Moreland, Northrup, Reiner, Ridpath, Richard
son, Skinner, Thomas, Van Etten, Watson, Mr.
President.
Of the Senators thus voting in the affir
native, fourteen were Democrats, and eight
were Republicans. The single vote in the
negative was Republican. The bill came
up for its final passage in the House on the
9Th of March, 1858, and passed, without
amendment, by vote Of forty-two to one.
A reference to the official Journal of the
House of that date, page 457, will show that
the following proceedings were then had:
s. F. No. LOGAN act Providing for the Let
ting of the State Printing, Binding and Adver-
| final passage. The yeas and nays being ordered,
there were yeas AZ, nays !, as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were,
Messrs. Bacon, Bearce, Bevans, Bray, Burgess,
Campbell, Carpenter, Chase. Cummings, Dav-
ern, Decow, Eames, Frost. Fladeland, Gaskill,
Graham, Grover, Hanson, Hinkley, Smith John.
son. Kibler, Leonard. Libbey, McGrorty, Muir.
phy, Peckham, Pierce, Poehler, Rauch, SEQ.
field, Seeley, Simpson, Sheetz, Starkey. Ste.
vens Tattersall, Teft, N. Thompson, futile,
Vertress, Wilson and Mr.. Speaker.
Mr.. Balcombe voted in the negative.
OF the Representatives thus voting in the
affirmative, twenty-seven were Democrats
and fifteen were Republicans. Mr.. BAL
coMBE, who voted in the negative, was a
Republican, and voted so, not because be was
opposed to the measure, but because be was
during those days, afflicted with a chronic
desire to say MOI" in regard to all pro
positions before the House.
The law thus passed with such singular
upanimity by both branches of the Legisla
ture, provided for the letting by contract O
"tbe printing, binding, and advertising, fo
the Senate and House Of Representatives
for the Governor, Secretary of State, Attor
ney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer
for the School and Banking Department.