Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-06

not, we deem il sufficient to state that the above
aggregate can be materially reduced BY abolish
ing the Office of Safe Printer, and letting the
State printing 20 the lowest responsible bidder.
Believing, doubtless, that the Legislature would
gladly entertain any proposition TO ec0nomise the
expenditures of the peoples money, two PROPOSE
tons have been made to the Legislature; one by
Thomas A. Goodwin, proposing TO take the con
tract to do the State printing for 25 per cent. be
low the present rates; and the other by Elder &
Harkness, proposing to do the same work for 80
per cent. below the rates now allowed by law
We have considered both of said propositions,
with reference to the fitness of the bidders, and
also with reference 10 the prices proposed, with
view Of making choice which would best sub
serve the public interest. And, in that regard,
we are constrained to say that we are opposed 10
accepting the proposition of the said Goodwin, for
the following substantial reasons: First, because
the said Goodwin, being professed minister of
the Gospel of Peace, is constantly prOstitutng the
press in efforts TO involve the country in the hor
rors of civil war, thereby showing himself not
only an enemy of the religion which he PROCESSES,
but of the peace and welfare OF our beloved cOun-
try, having no impulses in common with the
Christian or patriot. An individual who thus dis
regards the welfare of the people, and would sacri-
fee his country the altar of party, we regard
as unfit for any public station, and not worthy to
be employed by the people Of the conservative
State of Indiana in any place of trust or profit.
But if these considerations not deemed suffi
cient, we would state, as second objection TO ac-
cepting the proposition of the said Goodwin, that
his bid is not the lowest and for that reason, must
be rejected.
The proposition of Elder & Harkness, If &C.
cepted, taking the amount expended for State
printing for the last two years the basis, would
work net saving to the State treasury of Sl4,-
800 for the ensuing two years. That sum, in the
present condition of the States finances, we sub
init, is item which should attract the attention
and enlist the sympathies of this "retrenchment
and reform" Legislature, especially those mem
bers of the dominant party who have been 30 loud
in their professions on the subject of economy.
The undersigned would save the Republican
jority of this Legislature from the humiliation of
returning home to their constituents and being
compelled to admit that they not only did moth
ing to redeem their pledges, but actually voted
down, by adopting the majority report, this, as
they have all other propositions looking even
squirting in the direction of economy in the pub
lie expenditures.
For these among other reasons the undersigned
object to the majority report and are in favor Of
law abolishing the Office of State Printer and
letting the work to the lowest responsible bidder,
and would report bill for that purpose but for
the reason that a bill Senate bill No. 4, intro
duced by Mr.. March, is already before the Sen
ate, the passage of which the undersigned ear
nestly urge upon the consideration of the Senate.
s. X. WOLFE,
T. r. CoBB,
Nm. RAY.