The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-06
From the Charleston Courier
The Public Printing Question.

The Public Printing Question.
The Judiciary committee OF the
House, to whom were referred the
charges and specifications, presented
some three weeks ago, against the Pub
lie Printer, closed their investigation on
Saturday. Two reports were submitted
on Tuesday evening. That of the
majority, signed by Messrs, Barr, Camp
bell of Monroe, Fleming and Lightner,
completely exonerated the officer in
question. from the charges preferred
against him, citing the reasons at
length. In view OF the indefinite char
acter OF the law relating to public print
ing, the report proposed to empower
the Governor and two members OF the
House, to be appointed by the Speaker,
to examine into all the facts connected
with the public printing OF the State
from 1868, and the laws relating thereto,
and to repor: to the next Legislature.
The minority report. signed by Mr..
Sturgiss, denied the innocence of the
printer, and proposed an extension OF
the session for his impeachment. This
report was based chiefly upon certain
allegations and suspicious OF over
charge for work on the Acts and Jour
mails OF lS7l-matters not referred to
the Committee ami not before limited at,
until broupht forward in the report Of
Mr.. Sturgiss.
After lengthy discussion, the mi
nority was rejected by a vote OF ~ to
10, and the majority then adopted. On
these votes the party lines were closely
drawn, one Republican voting with the
majority, aud one Democrat with the
minority.
The introduc ion OF new charges just
at the close OF the session, aud when
investigation could not possibly be had,
is as fair an illustration OF the aims and
motives OF the prosecution, as was the
virtual abandonment OF the original
charges, as soon as they had been given
general publicity. Two weeks ago It
was stated in these columns that the
original charges were false and mali
cious and that the result would soProve.
This statement has been verified by the
facts; il there is an intelligent man in
this city who does not believe them un.
true in every material particular, we
have yet to hear Of him. In the same
confidence and with full knowledge OF
the facts, the statement is hereadded
that the supplementary charges IN
which the prosecution have taken
refuge, are in like manner false and
malicious, as will clearly appear when
the committee in the progress OF their
labors shall come to pass upon them.
While the spirit in which the pro-
ceedings in question have so far been
conducted, has not been the most de-
cent or generous, and while it is not
particularly gratifying to any one TO he
bounded by a parcel OF political cut
throats and social outlaws, yet the stu
alton, at this writing, is not without its
consultations. The investigation now
contemplated will probably leave un-
touched no fact in the history Of the
public printing Of West Virginia that
is worthy Of public attention. If it
shall be made to appear that for any
time, whether long or short, or by any
person, the public printing in this State
has been improperly managed, or paid
for, the public will know it: Each and
all the issues thus involved the present
public printer is prepared to meet.
The special solicitude Of snivelling
political opponents is respectfully de-
clined; they may find it well to reserve
their sympathies for home consump,