The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-30


exercise only of such mechanical skill as is
employed in any one of the common avoca-
lions OF life. 1t is not understood how its
character can be changed by its connection
with the Legislature, any more than the
builders trade can be changed by virtue of
Its employment in the building of capitol,
or other structure for Legislative necessity
or convenience. A pursuit which is me-
chanical in itself, is not changed by the
Official or nOn-official character of those who
employ it in their affairs. A glance at the
legislation of other States, will show the fact
that no distinction is elsewhere made be-
tween the business of printing and other
mechanical pursuits, and that it's disposition
is Il! no where held to be legislative preroga.
tive, but that it is made the subject Of con-
tract, either express or implied, under the
operation OF statute or constitutional law,
and for terms of time unlimited by the ex-
istence of Legislatures or other official
bodies.
In Pennsylvania, the public printing has
been let by contract, in terms of three years
each, from 1874 to the present time. From
1874 to 1864 period of twelve years
VIZ PuOiiO pilntlbo was Iuuo ulSpOScu OF
under the provisions of law to be found in
Purdon's Digest, page 986, and entitled
can Act giving out for term of years, all
the public printing and binding of the Com
monwealth to the lowest bidder, with ample
security for performance" This law was
amended in 1856, by an act entitled CAR
Act in relation to public printing" (see
Session Laws for 1856, page 1927 the first
session of which provides that the Speakers
of the two Houses of the Legislative Assem-
bly,, shall, at stated periods, "receive pro-
posals for executing the public printing and
binding for the term of three years." &c
The second section provides
''That the person or persons to whom the
printing and binding shall be allotted, in pur
suance of the first section of this act, shall pro
cure good and sufficient materials for executing
the printing of the iatcs journals, reports, bills
resolutions, and all other Legislative and eXecu
tive papers and documents. that may be order
ed by the Legislature, or either branch thereof
or by the executive. or any of the departments
of the government"
In Michigan, by act OF 1857, still in force
the public printing is let by contract, in
terms of two gears each, embracing-accord
ing to section (2l7) of chapter 7, page l49
vol. l, of the Compiled Laws of Michigan
"the printing and binding of the laws, jour.
mails and documents, all blanks, papers and
printing for the executive departments, and
all other printing ordered by the Legisla.
ture," &c. Under the provisions of the
same law the stationery and fuel for the
Legislature and State officers is also let by
contract, and for the same term of two
years.
In Ohio, by act of 1852, (see section 2
chapter SO, page 1873, of Swans Revised
Statues,) still in force, the public printing
is let by contract, in terms of ta0o gears each
The printing in that State is divided into
five separate items-each item being bid
and contracted for separately. The divis-
ions are made as follows:
1st, "The printing of all bills for the two
Houses of the general assembly, together with
such resolutions and other matters as may be
ordered by the two Houses, or either of them,
to be printed in bill form - End, The print
ing of the journals of the Senate and House of
Representatives, and of such reports, commu-
nicatiOns, and other documents, as enter into
and make part of the journals" 3rd, "The
printing of all reports, communications, and
other documents. that may be ordered to be
pIluIcu Ill pdlupulCG lOIul, NY luc ScutIdl DIS
sembly, or either branch thereof, except such
as enter into and make part of the journals,
together with the volume of public documents"
4th. . The printing of the general and local
laws, and such joint resolutions as may be d.
rected by the general assembly to be printed
Herewith - 9Th, 1.-The printing of all blanks
and circulars necessary for the use of the exec
utive officers of the State.''
In Wisconsin, the public printing has
hooy, Iot nv, Of cipoo tho m
of the State government to the present, and
in terms of time varying, under different
laws, from tuco to four years each. The law
now in force was enacted in 1858, and is
printed in the Revised Statutes of that State,
beginning on page "a. Sections |, 2, and 8,
of said law read as follows:
Sec. l. The Secretary of State shall, within
four weeks after the close of the session of the
Legislature for the year 1853, and within four
weeks after the close Of every second regular
session thereafter, advertise for four weeks sue
cessivey, in four different newspapers, published
in different sections Of the State for sea ed pro-
posals for doing, at the seat of government, all
printing required and authorized by the Legis-
lature for their use, for the State, in all the
several departments thereof.
Sec. 2. Said advertisement shall divide the
printing required to be done into three classes
business of the two Houses while in session !;
the second, to comprise the journals and dOcu-
ments of the two Houses, and all laws passed
by the Legislature and the third class, the
printing of the several State departments, of all
kinds and descriptions whatsoever; all of said
classes to be offered in one bid, and to be pro-
vlded for in one contract.
Sec. s. The person to whom said award has
been made. and who has given the required
bond, shall execute the said printing at the
Seat of government for the term of f,co years
from the first Monday of January thereafter.
By Section s, of a subsequent law, (page
"a, of the same statutes,) it is provided
that
The contract shall continue for period of
two years from the first day of January next
after the same shall have been let, but the
Board Of Commissioners may extend the time
to four years at any time before the contract is
entered into, &c.
According to the laws of the States
above cited, it will be seen that the public
printing is disposed of by express written
contract, entered into by and between the
State and individual, las is the case in our
own State,) under the authority of statute
law. In another class of States the printing
is disposed of by implied contract, resulting
from the appointment, by the Legislative
Assemblies, under the provisions of express
statutes, of persons to execute such printing,
at fixed prices, running generally for terms
of two years each and thus binding to