The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-12-07
The Public printing.

Last we, bill passed the House OF Rep-
resentatives to let the public printing out
to the lowest responsible bidder. The bill
was engrossed and transmitted to the
Senate. ~; ~ '
On Tuesday last the bill was taken up in
the Senate. Mr.. Morehead offered a substi-
tute for the bill authorizing a committee to
make contract to have the printing done
at reasonable prices. Mr.. Moore moved to
strike out the words "at reasonable prices"
and insert "to the lowest responsible bid |
der" Mr.. Robbins moved to amend the
amendment by inserting proyiso that the
responsibility of the bidder shall be deter
mined by the committee, which was adop-i
ted. ;Gg r. .a4. q. d, 'ri-
The following gentlemen voted against
the amendment to let the printing to the
lowest bidder: s. ..,-
Messrs. Adams, Allen, Albright. Battle,
Currie, Cowles, Crowell, Cook, Council, OAR
gan, Fleming, Graham, Gilmer, Jones, Lath-
am, Ledhetter, Linney, McClammy, Murphy,
Morehead. Merrimon, Norment, Speed, Skin
ner, Smith, Waddell, WoIth-27.
These gentlemen, excepting Mr.. Smith,
are all Democrats and promised their con-
stituents that they would vote tor every
measure calculatedto decrease the expenses
of the State goyefnsaent They have failed
to keep faith with their constituents. They
told them that they would do one thing and
the first opportunity that presentits they
done another. Men who really desired to
decrease the expenses of the government
would have voted to let the printing to
the lowest responsible bidder, but
these immaculate servants OF the people
were determined that the printing should
be done ut the Sentinel Office, let it cost what
it may. We believe :" that to the victors
belong the spoils," and that the Sentinel
is entitled to the printing and should have
it but at the same time men who mounted
the stump and told the people of the enor
nous expenses Of the present State govern
ment, should not, after having pledged
themselves to vote for every measure that
would lessen the expenses of the govern
ment, vote the Sentinel more to do work
that can be done for less at other print
ing Offices in this City. All things even
the Sentinel is undoubtedly entitled to the
printing, but it is not entitled to it if there
are others who would execute the printing
for less money than the Sentinel If the ap-
plication OF retrenchment and reform does
not ccme in at this point we do not know
where it can beapplied. Every dollar paid
10 the Sentinel over and above what the
printing would have been. done for had it
been LET to the lowest bidder, is that much
more out of the peoples pockets, and has
to be paid in when the yearly taxes are col
lected. The shoe pinches here if it pinches
anywhere. = s7-.lE -e-I
Now, gentlemen, we denounce you as false
and unworthy representatives of the
people. You promised one thing-you have
done another. You have been weighed and
found wanting. You have shown by your
acts that you are not prepared to keep
solemn promises nor do justice where a
political opponent is concerned. You have
made your record, we have emblazoned it
to the people Of the State, and at future
day when the intimidation. of voters is a
thing of the past, you will lie tried by an
honest people, and the verdict will be
guilty of dishonesty toward your constit-
|, uents, totally incapable of doing jus ice to
political opponent, and unworthy of any
position of honor and trust within the gift
Of free people.