Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-06-01
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WAsHrsaroN, MAY 81

Z WAsHINdrON, May 81.
\ SENATEs-<Mr. Slidell, from the committee
TO investigate corruptions in public printing,
made majority report to the effect that any
moneys paid by Wendell were in accordance
with q bargain, and IL he paid any for politi-
cal purposes, il was entirely voluntary and
without the knowledge Of any officers Of the
Government. The report condemns the
present system of printing as the worst that
could have been adopted, reflects severely on
Wendelrs testimony, exonerates the Presi-
dent from any knowledge of the matter, and
concludes with resolution that the COM
mittee be instructed TO inquire into the ex-
pediency Of providing for the printing being
done by contract or otherwise. r9 1
Mr.. King made a minority report to the eff
feet that the testimony shows clearly that
large sums have been paid to the printer for
the support Of party papers and to influence
elections, and that the payments so made
were known and assented to by the President.
The minority agree 10 the resolution APP
pended TO the majority report. 5g,
Mr.. Anthony urged a complete reform in
public printing. He thought the newspapers
that could not support themselves were of no
use to any party, and that the printer TO the
Senate having violated the law by transfer
ring the printing, the Office shonld be de-
clared vacant. ur. 80 0d
The subject was postponed till tomorrow.
The Senate then went into Elective session.
Mr.. Dixon presented the credentials of Mr..
Foster, reelected for six years from Con-
necticut.
H0USE-Mr. Reynolds, from the Com
mittee on Judiciary, reported back, with an
amendment, the Senate bill providing for the
return of the recaptured Africans.
There were now 1900 of them at Key West
The report requests that the bill be passed al
the earliest practicable day.
Mr.. Smith, of Va, did not want to force
them back in chains, but grant them the
privilege to stay in this country.
Mr. Reynolds gave notice that he would
call up the bill next Monday.
The House resumed the subject of the re-
form in the public printing.
Mr. Cobb said that there ought to he a
change of policy. Old Rats had crept into
the public crib, and had got SO cunning as to
hide themselves from public gaze.
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, said that Mr.. Cobb
might pass for an old rat himself, but cer-
tainly he (Smith) was not after old rats. He
had come to the conclusion to support the
bill for a good printing Office; he was sorry
that Mr.. Haskin had spoken Of the President
with so much passion and feeling; he would
not hang dog on such testimony as that o.
Mr.. Wendell; it is bad taste in him to scatter
uIlucttfl dIIOWS db lLt EcSiuCnt1 III luC nv
tempt to degrade him, when he (Haskins)
for cause yet unexplained, gave the con.
tract for binding to friend at a higher
price than was offered by a responsible
bidder; besides, Mr.. Haskins had voted fol
Mr.. Defrees for Printer after he had pro
posed TO the Republican caucus to give hall
the profits for partisan purposes, and yet the
gentleman stands up with swagger and
arraigns the President for dividing the jobs
legitimately within his gift among his own
friends instead of among his political en-.
emies. eft ...
Mr.: Vallandigham spoke in favor of pub
lie printing Office.
Mr.. Pryor spoke in the same way, ant
complained that the President neglected hi
duty in not informing Congress that tn,
amount appropriated for postoffice blanks
was excessive, instead of parceling the sur
plus among partisan presses.
A running debate ensued between him an6
Mr.. Burnett, in which the latter maintained
that the President had no control of the mat
ter, and that it was the duty of Congress to
correct any corruptions
Mr.. Pryor, in the course of his remarks
said that the evidence was uncontroverted
that the President said to the gentlemen who
executed the blanks, "here are $4,000 for
your services, and here are $20,oO1 to be dis.
tributed between the PennsylUanian, Argu
and Medary's paper in Ohio"
Mr.. Burnett said if such testimony existed
he had not seen it. He did not, however
question it, for he knew nothing about it
He then argued against a Government Office
| and in favor of reducing the present rates o
| printing.
Mr.. Florence was in favor of the establish.
| ment of Government printing-office, the
contract system having proved a failure, anC
because il would render the business indie
pendent of the corruption attached to it..
Mr.. Burnett expressed the hope that Mr.
Pryor, the next time he charged corruption
on the Administration, would be better in
formed TO facts.
Mr.. Pryor acknowledged his indebtedness
for the advice. Let the House order com
mittee and make him Chairman, and h
would prove what he said.
Mr.. Burnett said if the gentleman accused
| the President, he would vote for anothe
committee. If the corruption exists let hin
be arraigned, impeached and disgraced. ]
| the gentlemen desire to show their zeal
| would be better for them to fire broadsides a
| the Republican party instead of getting u
family squabbles.
Mr.. Pryor replied that he was fighting o.
his own individual responsibility, and in de
fense Of the interests Of the people. He con
ceived it sound policy that the Democrac
should wash their hands of all corruption.
After further discussion, Mr.. Haskin close
the debate, contending that the Presiden
knew of the profits of the Postoffice printing
| and stating that he would vote against a
schemes Of extravaganza and corruption
coming from either Democrats or Republi
cans. '
The bill for the establishment of Govern
ment Printing Office, passed--yeas, IN
nays, 56.
Mr.. Pryor made personal explanation
| In stating that he had been approached,
| should have stated that in 1857 ne was sol
cited to apply for portion of the surplu
fund, but Indignantly repulsed the propos
| ton.
The House went into Committee of tn
| Whole.
| The Postoffice Appropriation Bill for th
ensuing year being under consideration, Nj
Colfax moved various retrenching propos
tions, reducing the pay of route agents fror
81 900 to $780, reducing the percentage {
Postmasters whose Offices yield over $50
| postage per quarter, about 10 per cent, an
repeating that section allowing the Postma.
ter-General to give extra pay to Postmaster
over their salary.
Without coming to conclusion, the Houi
adjourned. -a' '-u tlif'
The Methodist Conference, o .