New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-22
THE FREE Distribution OF BOOKS


Mr. Beatty of Ohio, in "a speech in the House
durng the session Just closed upon bill reported from
The Committee Public Printing providing the dis
trihutiOn OF public documents, made a very able and
convincing argument against the system Of distribution
which has long subject OF gross abuses be-
sides telling very plain ana wholesome truths
about the business. The privilege Of distributing public
documents gratutOusly, he said, based upon two
fasehood: First that it originated in desire to bene
f the people and second, that Congress knew better
than the people themselves what they needed BE
dened the practice because il amounted. in fact 70 the
distribution OF public property for private purpose,
sluce these documents almost invariably disrIb
uted by the representative, TO benefit his oOus,it
EMS, but promote his reelection. on TINS head
he very frankly said:
Il may he said that am simply suggesting the mo
tyes which actuate me- and that other gentlemen are
influenced by higher and better considerations trust
thai many gentlemen are governed ia the distribution
these documents by the sole desire of benefng their
constituents, and have no defense 20 make m respect
20 my own action, am willing % admit for the sake
OF argument what should perhaps be admitted for the
sake of truth, that have been Influenced IN this regard
by desire 10 push my own interests. but affirm that
system that will permit me 70 do So thar is liable 70 be
thus abused at any time by any member OF Congress
without check or hndeIancc, Is radically wrong. ana
should be discontinued.
illustration OF the effect Of this gratuitOEs dis
ributiOn he instauced where, in addition 70
the quota OF public documents tons Of old reports
and worthless pamphlets. the accumulation of years,
were ranked and mailed 10 the people Of a certain
doubtful district 70 secure a denomination and
election. The member back, of for every
voter in that district had received something under his
frank. aud felt under personal obligations to him.
And the following:
lam told that certain private houses are crammed
these books from cellar garrett and that IN book
iunhsh0ps every where, they 10 DE found.
over sacks Of TINS building at time under
somebody order aud became the private property of
single dealer this of literature He benefited.
poor and have no doubt thanks Congress from
the bottom OF his heart for lis generous efforts 20 en-
tighten mankind Some Of these poor gentlemen have
Old but not rare report FOR copies OF the report Of the
Commissioner Of Agriculture. The agricultural reports
the Government S97; the report received IN eX
change be bought az the irhkshOps f0f SO That
poor nothing and the gentleman with whom he
traded lost nothing; but, asI does the American Con-
mite such robbery OF the people ths What right have
trade OF these documents for books Tor our
private use. for the libraries OF our personal
friends But this IN an lnCOnslderabe although very
repulsve feature OF the great abuse The wlckedness o.
the consists IN It's practical recognition Of the
ground, that the first duty OF COugrcssn Is 10
obtain either Tor himself or his constituents az large
Of the spells Dle. short time ago,
the volumes Of Clarence Kings Exploration Of the
FOrfieth Parallel sale IN the New-GOTk book
stores price So How did they get there -Four thousand
of these books were published recently under direction
the War Department 40 an expense 70 the Govern
meut OF $50 COO There nothing 10 prevent the entire
edition work from going where We know some OF
the VOLUMES did do uOr know how this particular
book the bookstores ana do not care 70 know.
II purpose 10 strike at individuals; am en-
and encourage the faint hope that 1t may he
discontinued.