The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-03-04

WIN pI6dent6u tlem. ING motives WliCl
induced their withdrawal l know not. Il
Q few days charges were again presentet
accompanied with certain resolutions
and the member from Ohio county (Mr
Barr oblecting, they went over under thl
rules in like manner. On the next day
when taken up in the regular order o
business, the extraordinary privilege wa
accorded tue Public Printer, who had M
official knowledge Of such charges, o
appearing upon tho floor Of the HousC
and making his defense before the HouSl
had taken any action In the premises, ant
in an attack upon tho character Of Thu
gentleman who had propOunded thu
charges against. him, proceeded TO arraigr
that person, and to attempt to "impeact
the impeacher," TO use his own express
i've language. In conclusion he rendered
10 the House what purported to be 4
bond in the penalty Of ten thousand dol
lars, conditioned that Il he should be iount
guilty by the House on the charges and
specifications, he would pay all the cost.
and expenses Of such investigation, pro
vided, that the party propounding the
charges should file a like bond before
such investigation should begin, Condi
toned that II the said Public Printer
should not be found guilty by the House
he (the party propounding such charges
would pay all the costs 'and expenses OF
such investigation. At the conclusion oil
his remarks tho member from Harrison
county offered certain resolutions, which
provided that the charges should he re,
ferrcd TO the Judiciary Committee, who
should exact from MIR. Merrill, the party
prcicrring the charges, such n bond rs Mr.
Walker had indicated, as Il condition
precedent TO any investigation by the
Committee, providing, however, that the
Committee should inquire il said Merrill
DO person OF such character and stand
ing in the community rs to justify further
inquiry.
This extraordinary proposition could
have no other effect than TO first, prevent
any inquiry into the charges, which were
sustained by tabular statement, sworn
to by MIR. Merrill and two other rcspCcta.
bic persons, all practical printers, by OK.
acting condition never before heard oil
In any parliamentary proceedings in free
cOuntry-a condition which, it twas be.
lieved by many, Mr.. Merrill could not
comply with, as he is said to be Il person
in very moderate circumstances and,
second, to put Mr. Merrill upon trial rs to
his character and standing, before per-
hitting him to adducc any evidence be.
fore the Committee to sustain the charges.
No word of protest was offered against
this monstrous proposition, byany member
other than myself, but you intelligence
and sense of justice, which accords to
every citizen OF this State, however hum.
BILE his circumstances, a respectful hear.
ing, prevented the adoption Of the sub.
sttute, which with the charges and nc.
cOmpanying resolutions, was referred 10
the Judiciary Committee without instruc.
tiOns or power to investigate. Alter con.
the committee agreed TO ask for
power tn send for persons and papers for
the purpose Of investigating the charges,
and the resolutions under which this in.
vestigation has been had were passed by
the House.
Under these resolutions the House i'm.
posed upon the committee the duty Of in.
the charges against Mr.. Wal.
ker, and of determining whether or not
there be probable grounds for believing
that he has charged against the State and
drew therefrOm sums oil money in excess
oil the rates allowed by law for public
printing, and what action, il any, in the
opinion Of the committee should be taken
in the premises. Alter consultation the
agreed TO first investigate the
specifications set forth by Mr.. Merrill in
his charges, but at no time did the com.
mittCe declare that it had not the right TO
fully investigate the accounts OF the
Public Printer 10 ascertain IF there be
probable grounds for believing" that he
has charged and drew from the Stale
sums of money in excess of the rates al
lowed by law, nor is it maintained now
by the majority of the committee, that
iull power had not been conferred for such
perfect investigation as would completely
settle the questions referred to the com
mittee, and the only reason, rs under.
stand tho gentlemen who have spoken
upon the pending question, why such in
was not extended by the ma
jority OF the committee beyond the Ger.
tain House Bills, nineteen in number, re.
lerrel to If Mr.. Merrill's charges, was
solely for want Of time. But more Of this
hereafter.
The first question presented 10 the
committee Tor its determination after il
had prepared for investigation was l0hat
are tie rates GlIOIoed Gg GAto for public
printing? Section II, chapter lG Of the
Code reads US follows: ~
IAN book work and pamphlet work done by
the public printer for the State, after the rst day
Of April, eighteen hundred and sixty.ninc, shall
BIO paid for at the following prices: siXty-ivC
cents per token for press work; for composition
cents per thousand ems for plain work;
one dollar per thousand ems for nile or figure
work, and one dollar and thirty cents per thou
sand ems for rule and figure work; but all blanks
circulars hand.bills, advertisements, and Other
kinds OF printing, except book and pamphlet
work, shall be paid for at tho lowest customary
rates OF printing for private individuals or corp0
the public printer is to furnish at the expense o.
tho State, at cost. For drying, pressing and
folding, nothing additional shall bG paid him
For book.blnding, he Is TO BIO paid according tC
the usual rates established among other hook
binders In Che city OF Wheeling"
From this it will be seen that the rates
for 60OE and pamphlet printing are clearly
apduncquivocally fixed. Blanks, circulars
&c.,n and "Other ioOrE" are TO be paid ior
OF the lo1cSt customary rates for private
individuals and corporations. Do House
Bills printed as the nineteen (10) bills un'
der consideration are printed, constitute
"book and pamphLetto0rk." or do they como
under the designation of blanks, circulars
&C., or "OtheT Hrork3' Upon this point
the experts, practical printers, who were
called TO testify, differed widely, and Civ.
ing the accused the benefit Of all doubtful
points, and treating them rs "other work, y
or job work, Us the counsel for the accused
insisted they should be treated, the next
question 10 determine was tnhat is "Me
iOIcGSt customary rate for pToate indiUid.
udlS and cOrENrutiOnS?" The evidence
seemed IN fix II Mt n rate nOt pScpplinn