Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-04-27
THE CHARGES AGAINST THE CON.
GRESSIONAL PRINTER.
Continuation OF the Investigates.

The Investigation of the charges against Con-
gressional Printer Clspp was resumed, this
morning, before the Senate Committee on Print
ing:
A. X. Spofford, Librarian Of Congress, was
the first witness examined for the defence, and
testified as to the prompt manner in which all
work for the library was executed at the Gov
ernment Printing ONCE, and especially the ex-
celleRt manner in which proofs had been read
during the past year.
Committee on Printing, testified that he had
intimate business relations with the Govern
ment Printing Office during the past six yerrs.
Was familiar with the workings of the office be-
fore that time, as he had been employed TO write
an illustrated account of the establishment.
Thought the Office had never been better man
aged than during the past year, and had been
years previous. Had visited European Govern
ment printing Offices, especially the Imperial
Printing Office of France. Thought the drec-
tors Of the printing office there had the advan-
tage Of our Superintendent, as political in
huence had nothing to do with appointments
or removals in the Government Office.
III man should enter into q combination there
would be discharged in five minutes and have
no appeal. Witness thought these combinations
were injurious not only to the government and
employees, but to the craft. He thought If the
Superintendent here was not compelled to make
Appointments to please politicians. and had not
the combinations Of workmen to contend with,
tne government ana the craft would De DeDe-
fitted. Knew Colonel OTIS at first was preju-
diced by hearsay against him; but now believed
him to be thoroughly competent man, and
what he undertook to do he did Did not know
Mr.. Ethel, as he had been there bnt a short
time. He seemed to have all work done
promptly.
Witness was here shown q letter which he
wrote to Mr.. Clapp, complmenting him on the
prompt manner in which the late Congressional
Directory was set up, and testified that he wrote
the same, as he felt under obligations to Mr..
Clapp for furnishing the proof SO promptly.
By the PrOsecutOrs:-Never saw Washington
proof reader who Tin his opinion) understood his
business, as they all had certain arbitrary rules
they would use, no matter how many marks and
corrections were made on the margin of the
proof. He regarded it the first duty Of printer
to follow copy, and OF proof reader to obey the
authors instructions.
j. H. Roberts, foreman of the bindery at the
Government Office, thought the present Super
intendent perfectly competent to carry on the
business of the Office. The business of that Office
had greatly increased, especially in the blank
department, where the work had more thar
doubled. If they had room in the bindery,
wOnld put up more ruling machines and more
men at work. Thought the quality Of the the
cred anything like Tyranny or opprc ssion in the
administration Of the present Superintendent;
thought he was just the reverse-a kind hearted
man. Were using now some leather called Cow
hide Russia in preference to the Russia leather,
on account OF the high price of the latter. The
Cow-hide Russia was purcased for one-half OF
what the genuine Russia leather costs, and is
made in this country, while the "Russia leather
is manufactured only in Russia.