Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-03-10
The Printing Investigation-Report of
the, Committee.

WAsHIsGToN, Feby. 28-H ouse-Mr.
George Taylor, Of n. Y, from the commit
tee appointed 10 investigate the accounts Of
the Superintendent of Public Printing, made
a report. They say that the books are neg
ligently and loosely kept, that it is impossi-
bic 10 arrive at any definite knowledge Of
The BUSINESS done in the office. The ac-
counts, in some instances, appear balanced
when such is not The case, and considerable
sums have been collected on the same under
the directions OF the present Superintendent.
The certiiicat es issued for engraving and
lrhographing, do NOT agree with the accounts
kept by the parties who did the work.
They exhibited their books, and swore they
had been paid for all the work done. The
books show the amounts received by them,
yet it appears that certificates were issued
10 several parties for greater amounts than
appears on their books. In one case, the
difference is $l0,OOO-in another, over So
GOETHE difference being against the Gov
eminent. The paper accounts do not agree.
Several hundred reams are una ,counted for.
The committee say, in fact, there appears
TO have been singular fatality about the
books and accounts connected with these
matters; few Of them could be explained,
and none entirely satisfactory.
The unanimously report that the facts
show conclnsively that there existed COM
bination for the compelling of all contract
ors 10 pay their way for contracts, that this
was the general belief among contractors
and the payment for contracts, either in the
way of loan, commission or per centaee
was general. The contractors found it nee
essary to employ certain agents at Washing
TIM, 10 attend 10 their business and pay them
largely before they got work. As gener-
al thing they say they did net know that
Seaman was interested in the matter, but it
was certain that they got no work until af-
ter they employed particular parties.
The contractors were all led or forced 10
employ the same agents, although they had
no previous acquaintance with them. Tie
paper contractors employed public printer
TO act as their agent. for which they paid
about three and half per centum. The
printer employed clerk to do a little work
at yearly salary of one thousand dollars,
whilesthe printer received fo- doing MOTH
ing from $4,000 10 $4,000 per annum.
Ensravers and photographers found it 10
their interest TO employ the public printer
10 act as their agent to look after their IN
terest and receive the money TO be paid.
The committee report that they traced be-
tween $35, 900 and SAC, 900 into his hands
and some $40 900 in others, and about $780,
600 direct TO Seaman, most of which last
sum was given by way Of bonus, and is still
remaining unpaid. A small portion was
paid by contractors direct, as per centage.
The committee found two or three agree
ments to pay money direct for contracts
Two in favor of Mr.. Seaman, one in favor
OF the printer, but found one including the
largest sum, by reason Of the refusal OF one
of the paper contractors. In a second case
the money was paid, not 10 the printer, but
TO other parties not known 10 the witness.
As 10 the third contract for twenty per cent
UNI, Of account Of lithosraphing, the commit
tee could not ascertain whether 1t was paid
or not. The combination referred TO exist.
ed for all contracts gOiag through Mr.. Sea-
mans Office.
The committee say the testimony in The
case forces them to the conclus ion that some
intimate and confidential relation existed be-
tween Mr.. Seaman and the principal actors
involved, and that they were not ignorant
of the action and interest of each other
From the facts found, the committee feel
constrained to submit the following resolu-
tion for the consideration OF the House:
Resolrel, That A. D. Seaman, late Su-
perintendent of Public Printing, has been
guilty Of improper and illegal practices in
the discharge Of his official duty, and in Vi
olation ofthe provisions of the act approved
The 2Sth day Of August, 1852, creating the
office of Superintendent and defining the
duties thereof.
Resolved, That the testimony in this case
be certified TO by the Clerk of the House of
and sent 10 the District
Attorney for the District Of Columbia.