Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-17
The Public Printing Plumber.

There has been scarcely an item of govern
ment expenditures that has attracted more
attention than the Congressional printing
| BY collision between the Superintendent and
the public printers, abuses have heretofore
been practiced such as are " unparalleled in
the annals of corruption" The present
Superintendent has performed his duty. as il
appears, without regard to when, or where,
or by whom the government has been
swindlcd in the business of public printing.
and has made rs we understand, an exposure
of q great deal of fraud aud corruption
which has all along been covered up. The
Washington States, of the 10th. has the follow
ing in reference to the subject:
The office OF Superintendent of the Pub
lie Printing vas instituted with the view of
abating the abuses which have crept into the
business. Until the appointment of the pre-
sent incumbent, the object of Congress had
been defeated by collision between the Print
err aud Superintendent, whereby an arrange
ment. intended as restraint on corruption
aud extravaganza, was perverted into their
shield and saciiOn. In pursuance of the
policy of retreuchment which he nvowed in
his inaugural address. Mr.. Buchanan selec-
ted Superintendent ni Public Printing for
whose honesty he bad the guaranty of long
and intimate acquaintance The appoint
mcnt. moreover. was understood to be. in u
peculiar sensc, the suggestion of the Presi-
dents personal esteem. In the result it is
equally creditable to his discernment and his
friendship.
Und r these circumstances, one would
anticipate an exhibition of the utmost
Partially for the Superintendent of Public
Printing by those who aft ct a special regard
for the Presidents feelings, and an exclusive
solctuda for the success of his Admlnistra-
ton. But Mr.. Bowman was more intent on
the conscientious discharge of bis duty than
eager to coneiliate the eamp-followers of the
Executive. lie soon discovered that the
objects were incompatible, aud with unusual
intrcpidlty he resolved to protect the Treasury
at the hazard of rapture with the plumber
Interest. Accordingly. lie has deiectoi aud RI
posed % pss<e Hds9HaoS such sisorniifios II abuse
arc aot pIr1llskai ~ d4e annals Of oorr,fystoH.
Besides producing inuum rable Instances OF
contempt for contracts. excessive charges.
aud violation OF laws in the execution of the
public printing. he has sgaall,oi paritcaklr
seherein ne government piainiy roLbei q
hundred thousand dollars. On the other
hand, he has submitted many mauiiestiy ex-
peeiient measures for thu prevention of fraud
aad the eurtaiim ut ofexpense ia this part
ment OF the public service"
The .S,atss continues that this course OF the
Superintendent has excited the plnedeF
interest against him. aud that they have set on
foot concerted elamoF against him, aud 10y
anonymous contributions 90 nswspap r.. seck
10 compass his expul-ioa from Office. Thls
coming from a democratic organ situated al
the seat OF g0vrrnment, Is suifiei NJ indIeatioa
OF the enormous ,arpItude. that has dstin-
gnishei this diVisioa Of the 'cams.lollosxer'
o. n Executive" aud Ihe Fed raj Treasury
plunderers.
The next step 10 this praiseworshy proess,
would be 70 make statement of the pccounI
between the Treasury and lis plnnder..rs
specifying names. Items and dates, and Civ
ing IL % the public. We are anxious to se.
tbs document.