Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-11-26
Gen. Mann...The Public Printing,

A friend has called our attention to an article in
the State Journal which contains gross reflection
on Gen. Mann, of Pasquotank, as follows:
"A practical printer who seemed scared at
the turn things We're taking, and is himself cand-
date for another fat office gravely asserted that in
his opinion the work could not be done at the
Asylum"
The above refers to the debate which took place
in the Commons on Tuesday last, in relation to
the public printing.
No member had better right to speak on the
subject than Gen Mann, for he is not only practi-
cal printer, but was member of the committee in
1852 which drew up the present law on the subject
Of printing. lie simply told the truth when he
said the State printing could not be done at the
Asylum. His alleged candidacy for an Office had
nothing to do with his course in relation to the
printing lie was discharging his duty to the Leg
islature whose business vas to be facilitated or re-
tarded as the office might be bestowed on an estab-
lishment that could or could not do the work in
time; and for this he is assailed by the depraved
paper referred to. The truth is, the arrangement
to give the public printing to the ASYLUM was in.
tended, so far as the Destruc:ves were concerned
to bestow it indirectly on the Journal Office They
knew, for they had been told, that there were but
two Adams power presses in the City-one in the
STANDARD, ard the other in the Journal Office; that
if Mr.. Palmer should be elected, the presswork
would not be done at the Standard Office; and that
Mr.. T. would be compelled, as public officer, to
have it done at the Journal press. The fellow who
nominally conducts the Journal is of course en-.
ragged at the failure of the movement. and hence
his low abuse of Gen. Mann,
This fellow Speman obtained the State printing
two years ago by combination and lying. He was
not able to execute it himself but had to give much
of it ont to other offices. The work was thus de-
layed for months beyond the usual time. and the
Courts ard the people were put to great inconve
Eience for want of the laws. Indeed many laws
were IN existence and operation for months which
neither the officers of the Courts nor the people had
ever seen. 1t was natural that those who are on
his bonds, which were given for the establishment
should have desired to see him State Printer again.
10 enable HIM to raise the means to relieve them of
their liabilities on his account but after his failure
To do the work of the last Legislature in time, and
because of the odium which attaches to his charac-
ter it was thought prudent not to press him for the
office. And now, gorgcd with his gains, gouged
dishonesty in many instances out of the State, he
has the i:npudence to lecture the Legislature and
abuse gentlemen. 1t was only the other day that
he presented account at one of the departments
in the Capitol which the Clerk refused to pay, un-
less he would consent to have it audited and We
learn that he was not disposed to have that done,
because he knew that the account was unjust
What was done with it or whether it was audited
and paid or not, We do no. know.
OF course, in abiding to those persons who are
on Spemon's bonds, We do not include members of
the Legislature. II is more than probable that
| there members who are on these bonds, but it
is not for moment to be supposed that any men,
Der would DC influenced in his conduct by such a
consideration.