New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-08
FROM WASHING TON.
MR. HONsToS's INDIGENOUS CONDUCr--THB
SENATE PRINrING-.sm. COvoDE's WITH
DRAWAL,

SENATE PRINTING-'m. COvoDEs WITH
DRAwAL,
ffem Our Own Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June g. 1860.
The prompt ana decisive action of Mr.. Sherman,
in rcbuking the indecorous conduct of Mr.. Hous-
ton few DAYS ago, when he violated the rules and
propretes of the House, has had marked effect
upon the proceedings since then, and viii serve to
check some of the disgraceful exhibitions which
have been so frequent during this session. The
contrast presented in this connect IN between the
generous and manly conduct of Mr.. Sherman
toward Mr.. Houston, and that exhibited toward
himself only three months ago, can hardly have
failed TO attract public attention, and ia worthy of
remark now. 1t will be remembered that Mr..
Clark of Missouri offered o resolution, aimed at
Mr.. Sherman particularly, which declared that no
man was fit to be Speaker who had signed the
Helper book. Frequent appeals were made from
the Republican side to have that obnoxious resOlu-
tion-which only gave currency to gross and false
Observation-Disclosures to allow an explanation;
and Mr. Sherman challenged the mover to remove
this obstacle. But Mr.. Clark distinctly refused
this courtesy and he was seconded by none more
elamorously than the member for Alabama, Mr..
Houston.
When Mr. Sherman had an opportunity Of re-
taliating in n manner which would have required
Mr. Houstons resignation, under the censure of
the House, he showed what magnanimty high
and true man ia capable OF exercising. The reso-
luton which he offered, would have been carried by
twenty or thirty majority and was completely
within his own control. Some OF the very friends
of MIR. Houston, who had been conspicuous during
the Helper crusade, solicited him privately to per-
nit an explanation, which would relieve the neces-
sty of passing the censIIre, and then Dir. Mison
repeated that request in presence OF the House.
Mr.. Sherman did not wait but obeying noble i'm
pulse, at withdrew it temporarily, to afford the
opportunity, and when the satisfactory statement
was made. he withdrew it absolutely. These facts
arc sufficient To make some men bush for the parts
they have heretofore acted, and they Mt least con-
vey an instruction, in regard TO the dignbed bear
ing of gentlemen which may be remembered with
advantage, when partisan prejudices are again
likely to disregard reason and justice.
The Constitution utters daily howl over every
proposition to reform abuses OF the public printing,
which is likely in any way to trench upon Its present
profitable privileges. Mr. Gurley's bill Tor Gov
eminent office, is now the target at which all lis
practice is directed. If it should pass the Senate,
| The supplies enjoyed by The Constitution, would at
| once be stopped, and the whole plumber abolished.
Whatever may be thought of that measure abstract
H. this is almost reason enough for its opponents to
| abandon their hostility The testimony taken be-
| fore Mr. Kings Committee III the Senate, proves
| that Brigadier- General Bowman receives 33J per
cent of the whole printing ordered by the Senate,
for the mere privilege of transferring the job to Mr..
| Ryes who finds it good business to do the work,
| for coz of the price allowed by law Yet in the
face OF this fragrant spoaton, he has the efrontery
lo prate of economy and to beratc others for doing
far less than he il VIGOROUSLY guilty Of The organ
habitually boasts of some pretended reforms intro
| dnced into the Superintendent office, while Bow
man held that place, the principal of which IL, that
the house which first orders document shali PRINT
| the numbers ordered by the other. When he con-
triyed that scheme he had his eye on the printer
shin OF the Senate and knew very Wei, If success
ful that. with the aid of the Administration, he
| could thus command all the most valuable WORK.
! And sn il has resulted. The sO-called reform
is nothing more than a contriyance, by when
the Printer of the Senate may be enriched
at the expense of the Printer OF the House
And il may De confidently asserted that at no for
mer cssion, within range OF many years, VIII the
| printing of the Senate compare III profit with the
| present one Wait till the accounts are all rem
| dered. Bowman looks with jealous and misery
eve mon every order made by the House, as If II
! y,s - much gain plucked from his own greedy
| grasp. He thinks the present prices ought 10 be
continued because they pay hun weil ana enable
little shalow-pated country editor to splurge con-
| sidcrably under the shadow of the White House,
and TO look upon himself as II ne were actually q
| mll-grown man.
| Tie intended withdrawal of Mr.. COvode from
Congress is really regretted among all who know
lis usefulness, worth and zeal. In his quiet aud
nnpretcnding way he has rendered efficient service
to The Republican cause and never hesilated to as
sme any labor or responsibility by which its wei
fare might be promoted. Az member Of the
House. his record will compare with that OF the
most yigant and attentive, on every question Wiicn
in any woy affected the great principles with which
| he has been 20 long identified. More brilliant and
snowy men may hereafter succeed him, but 1t viii
le difficult 10 fill the seat which he now occupies
more crcditably or beneiically to his immediate
| constituents. or 10 the people of Pennsylvania.