Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-04-20
6RESSIONAL PRINTER.
Examination Of witnesses for ths

DeI0mCH.
The examination of witnesses in reference Il
the charges against Congressional Printer Clapr
was resumed this morning before the Senate
Committee on Printing, and MIR. Clapp, befor,
opening the testimony in his defence, addresse,
the committee as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Coun;,,.,
When the prosecution closed its case one weel
ago, there did not seem to be much occasion TO,
the defence to proceed, except, perhaps to asL
Oh your honorable COMMITTEES prompt dismiss
sal of the charges as unsustained by Competent
IT Jofs. But SO much time having been con.
sumed by the prosecution in a fruitless endea-
yor to rake from the purlieus of prejudice, pas
sion, and hearsay, testimony with which to de-
fame and damage the administration of the
Congressional Printer, it seemed to be a pity
that this investigation should terminate and 90
down to history without some proofs gathered
from fair and unprejudIced minds with which
70 throw light upon its true character.
1t is proposed, therefore, by the defence 10
introduce witnesses and elicit testimony based
knOwh dgc of the affairs and manapement of
the Government Printing Office. There seem
IN have been enough already OF loose statement
malice, prejudice, and hearsay, and it is BRO
posed now to wipe away that accumulation by
the testimony OF few witnesses who have no
griefs, fancied or real, to assuage-no passions
or prejudices to gratifying malicious purposes
to accomplish in the statements they shall make
before your honorable committee.
It's expected on the part OF the defence to
show that whatever of Generalization and en-
barrassment may have occurred in the conduct
and government of the printing Office duriny
the past year has resulted chiefly from a spirit
OF characterization among its employees, in which
some, II not all, Of these prosecutors have borne
conspicuous part; and from a combined effort
on the part of outsiders, and their confederates
inside that institution, to control and shape its
policy and management, 80 as to make it sub
servient to the plans and purposes Of designing
parties, who had already exercised too wide an
influence over its conduct. We think it suscep-
tible of proof that the stand taken by the Con
gressional Printer in behalf of the principle of
equivalents in the interchange of labor and
compensation In the office, and in the employ
ment Of colored printers, have led to whatever
OF dnicuity and embarrassment may have fallen
upon his administration. HIS greatest offence
appears to have been that he has discharged his
duties fearlessly and faithfully under the laws
Of Congress, and in accordance with his own
sense Of right and justice.
the already over-taxed patience of the commit
tee, we will now proceed with the proofs on the
part of the defence.
DIR. G. +. Mcdonald, who makes the reauisi-
tions for the money order blanks for post
masters, testified All orders were promptly
filled and the work satisfactorily done. About
two months ago there was mistake In printing
four thousand out Of 500 900 were wrong. This
was the only mistake which witness knew of
under Mr.. Clapp.
d. FREQ. Myers, Chlef OF Printing Division,
Secretarys ONCE, Treasury Department, testi-
fed that the work from the Government Print
ing ONCE was now az well executed and promptly
delivered as during the administration Of Mr..
Defrees or Mr.. Wendell, except ruling work
which was sometimes delayed on account of
there not being q sufficient number Of ruling
machines in the once. All work demanding
special attention was always promptly attended
to. Always heard and believed Mr.. Ciapp's rep
utation rs . printer stood very high, and be
lieved so now, although witness was friend Of
John u. Defrees. Knew Mr.. Ethel Had a
favorable opinion Of him as an executive ON ear
Thought Mr.. Shanklan was an Improvement on
Mr.. Franzoni. Thought Mr.. Shanklan q prompt
man. =
II. H. Sperry, nle clerk OF the House docu-
ment room, testified that he received every day
al the documents printed by order Of the House
or Senate. During the first week of the present
session there was confusion on account OF the
mieapprehension OF an order Issued by the
Printing Committee. Since that time had been
wen served, and . portion Of the time better,
than at any time during the past eight years.
fore delivered. Believed the Congressional
Printer eminently qualified for the position
from the fact that he gave his time to it.
Hon. Nathan Sargent, Commissioner Of Gus
toms; Hon Jos. 8. Wilson, Commissioner Of the
General Land once; General Capron Oommis-
sioner Of Agriculture; J. H. Seville Chief Of the
Jos. Nimmo, Jr., Of the Register's Ofdce Treas,
ury Department, and j. @. Grinnell, Chief Clerk
of the Patent once, all testified that the work
from the Government Printing Once had been
promptly and satisfactorily done during the past
year, and some Of tho witnesses complimented
Mr.. Clapp on his efficiency.
The further hearing was then postponed till
Monday next, at II O'Clock.