The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-24
SENATOR GRANTHAM ON THE
PRINTING FRAUD.

A VindicatiOn of the Granthams
Jacob COmmittce.-A ScoIchtns
Indictment of Walker BY Lead.
ing Observation-Disclosures "Black
Cat''-.A Few Specimen KiItens.-
The Failure of CaucnaeS aud Wine
Suppers-.A Pretty Vigorous Treat
ment of the Whole Question:
Mention has already been made In our
Charleston correspondence of the rcsolu'
ton offered by Senator Granthan Of JET
ierson county, Monday last, demanding
that the accounts OF the Public Printer
tor the work OF the present session be
overhauled, and OF tho vigorous speech
made by the Senator in support Of 1t. A
correspondent sends us the Senator's re-
marks, which, with the preliminary reso.
luton, rs here subjoined.
RGsolred, That the Committee on Print.
ing bo requested to examine the vouchers
for tho printing Of the present session and
report II they correspond with the agree.
ment made with the Public Printer by
said Committee.
In support Of the foregoing resolution,
Mr.. GrGntham said:
MIR. PREsIDENT-1 offer this resolution
rs the basis OF q few remarks which / wish
10 submit, and crave for a short time, the
attention of Hon. Senators. It will BIO 70.
membered, that while a member Of the
House OF Delegates, was, much against
my expressed inclination and wishes, zap.
pointed by the Hon. Senator from Kama
wha, (theu Speaker Of the House,) more
than ono year ago, one Of tho committee
10 investigate charges made against the
public printer; and also, vouchers Of his
predecessors; and instructed to report, at
tho present session, all overcharges, ii
any. In May last, in connection with my
colleagues on the committee, the invcsti.
CATION was commenced 7. ]. West, Of
Harrison, did not make his appearance
until some days after the committee con-
vened. After sitting some time; the com:
mitFee, for reasons set forth In its report,
took q recess to meet Mt Berkeley springs,
In the County Of Morgan, where 1t met in
August, Hon. T. ]. West, not appearing,
although frequently notified, neither did
10 again appear, suppose for reasons
satisfactory 10 himself, On adjournment
IN August, it was resolved TO meet ut the
Capital to conclude the investigation, in
order toglve the Public Printer fair
opportunity TO examine the testimony,
and produce such evidence As he might
deem necessary and proper In his vindicG.
ton, and also 10 give him y chance 10
take legitimate exception TO evidence ad.
duCed by the committed.
When tho Committee convened at the
Capital, Mr.. Walker appeared by counsel,
aud requested q continuance until tho
llrst of December. This the committee
were unable TO grant, as their time as
members OF the Legislature expired on
the 1st Of November, and they 80 In.
formed 5Lr. Walker. he replied, by say
Ing, in substance, that our time had e6.
PRED on the 29d day Of August, and that
We were only pretended committee, had
no right to proceed with the investiga.
ton, and he should pay no further atten.
lIOn to us. 1t may be well 10 say, that
while at the Capital in May, the commit.
tee sat in the Hall OF the House Of Dele.
gates, with open doors, and any person
could have been present, who desired to
do So In October, 1t sat in the room
adjoining the Hall, known as the room Of
the Sergeant.at.Nrrns, with open doors.
The report was presented to the present
House Of Delegates, and from that time to
tho present, l have been the subject OF at.
ticks from members Of the other House-
charged with making partial and Ialso
report, making q partizan crusade against
The public printer, and in favor Of the
executive, and many things equally vii
famous, but too notorious To need repeti-
ton. In brief, war to tho kntIe was de-
Cared; the gauntlet thrown down.
Now, Mr.. President, although have
Kept my lips closed, the time has come
when my duty to the people, as well a.
to myself Eor6lds me longer to DO silent
now take up the gauntlet, and say In
addition, II it Is "waf to the knife" let II
he the knife to the hilt. Ientered upon the
investigation hoping and believing that
all that had been charged was false; but
when found 1t otherwise, what was my
dltyG To throw over 1t tho fllmy vail
Of deception, or 10 tear the mask from
the hideous creature, regardless Of per
sOnal or partisan predllectionsH In the
performance OF my sworn duty, choose
the latter, and reported the truth rs near
rs | could arrive at at it by tho evidence
before the Committee.
Having Inadc our report, 1t would be
slpeEilu0us to direct more particular at
tCution thereto, further than referring tC
charges for House Journal, 1871, Letter
heads furnished the the Senate and Con-
vcntion and the Auditors report, 1871
Am !, Mr.. President, to go before my
constituents with this journal, tell them
that 1t cost gil per copy, and swear thai
It's Just and equitable prlce-that ne
fraud has been committed! Why, sir
the mcrest school boy would laugh me L
sSCorn, and derIde my judgment. A boot
That can be purchased anywhere-that Is
9ne containing as much reading matter
ior two or at the very highest, three, I
laet which every one knows. Am l t
tIl them'that letter paper, weighing TEL
" Twelve pounds per ream, with PRINTED
heads, 10 worth $l4 per rcan, when hal
mat sum would be large priceS Am
70 tel them that the Auditors report
SSOO COpes-containS double the amour
q tokens Of press work that II doeS
AND II do not this, am TO DO charac