New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-20
DsmOCHATIC ORGANS.

We have looked with interest through the test-
mony t ken before the Select Committee (whereof
Hon. Preston King is Cbairman) appointed by the
U. S. Senate TO investigate the expenditures for
Public Printing We wish it were possible to place
it entire before our readers but the capacity even
of the largest journal is limited, and 352 pages oil
solid octave are not easily disposed Of Besides,
| good many of the most salient facts developed by
this investigation have already found their way to
the public through the medium of Washington CORE
spondence. A few general features are all that we
can fiDd room for. They are as follows:
l. A Democratic organ, it appears from this tes-
timOny ia not to be regarded as a property but as
an iDcumbrsrce-a burden only to be carried by
the aid of an allowance of Treasury pap in the other
end Of the bag. II any simpletOn should steal one
of these concerns he would no more be proceeded
against therefor than for taking the measles or
small pOx; and, if he should carry it into of the
Territories, not even Senator Mason OF a. G.
Brown could frame an act that would enable the
former owner TO reclaim it. But that circumstance
involves no hardship, since there seems to be uni
yerss anxiety to get rid Of these incub unless the
outside pay for keeping them il very LIBERAL Thus
Mr.. Cornelius Wendell was proprietor of The
Union (now called The Constitution, and, being
patriot seems to bave been willing TO publish 1t for
netting, and lose few thousands per annum BY the
Operation-proyided, of course, that he could have
the Federal Printing TO execute at his own prices.
He sold it pardon the Hibsnicism y TO George w.
Bowman (theD Superintendent of Public Printing!
for 500 900 less than nothilg, but with an under-
standing that he was to be tie party'S Public
PTiuteI-wherein he was ruefuliy disappointed.
Two candidates for printer to the House entered
the lists against bim-J. B. Steedman from Ohio,
and A. D. Banks of Virginia, q" ardent as South
d" ern sun could make him" in pursuit of I" the
"Sooils." Steedman had two or three confeder-
ates-Wash. Mclean Of Cincinnati and Knox
Walker, once OF Tenneeee-and they together COM
bined with Banks and beat Wendell electing Steed-
man Printer; who rented his name to Wendell for
$4,000, which suTu he appears TO have divided on
the square with Banks, while his oHn half had to
undergo lit Appears) further subdivision in favor
OF Mclean and Walker, if no others. Wendell
thinks he gave these leeches about all the profits,
and virtually did the work for cost. There is an
abundance Of such operatiOns-pleas ant enough to
the parties interested, but which other folks are
spt to feel or fegn disgust at-expOsed on the pages
of The plump volume before us-but we must keep
TO the Illustration Of Democratic organs.
The Hon. William A. Harris-formerly Member
of COngrets from Virginia, then some sort Of demi
Embsssador, then Editor and Proprietor Of The
Union, now, we believe, planter in Missouri
was called before the Committee and required to
explain bis connection with the Public Printing and
the Organ, and here is part of bis testimony;
oe,ton Did you ever have any conyerssi With him THE
Pres5ebt In relation to the manner IN "hen INC o0" "S
conductedl - 49,. ,;.o.s.I
on tbe General poicy Administration, zoos 70 h ana
eoaey,ed ith aim about alsdpL With regard TO eel.oA
that did touch the general policy oil the Aam'''on'
w. he eo6re OF The Union approved by the Presdent
Yes euphancahy; but he did not ADMIT hat Inc CTion
~ me oyoon Of he 1miaisyatO that he wa rGspoaaioe
fo said In il he IN point o. iseI III ~ w.
poytebt matters committed him. OF coase did not wish
publsh things hspht
We wish the Hon. Gentleman had explained
what would have been an organ OF the Admins
tratioD," according to his and }, BIS under
standing Of the phrase. A journal whereof each
important article is submitted to the President,
and discussed by him prior to It's publication, being
no such thing We would give something for SIGHT
Of one which Mr.. Harris could cOns ief an Aimin
istrAtOn organ.
--Of course, journal conducted with especial