The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-02-15
CHARLESTON LETTER,
CHARLESTON u .c;,l. February, 10, 1873.

80 o
To the Editors Of the IntellIgencer:
On Tuesday last NIr. FeEgusOn-Chair'
man of the House Committee on Printing
and Contingent Expenses-reported thai
,,id Committee had concluded the taking
M ali the testimony that had been offered
in relation to the charges against the
Public Printer; that the Public Printer
was represented by counsel and proposed
IN he heard before the Committee prior
to the making Of q final report; and sub.
mitted to the House whether any counsel
shall be employed by the State to appear
before them; and, II so, by whom such
counsel shall be employed.
Mr.. Baker, the only republican member
Of said CommitteG-o1ered the tollowin 6
preamble and resolution:
WHEREAS, Your Committee on Prin-
ting and Contingent Expenses have had
the case OF the Public Printer before them
for some time in relation to alleged over
charges by said Printer; and
WHEREAS, The Public Printer has able
counsel employed In his defence; there
fore,
Rs,Olosd, That His Excellency, the Gov.
crnor, be requested to employ competent
counsel to appear before said committee
for the purpose Of defending the interest
oil the State in the above case.
Mr. Smith objected to the consideration
of the resolution, and it went to the table.
Mr. s. gave as his reason for this proCee-
ding that he was opposed to any argu-
meut Of the case being made before the
Committee, as, in his opinion, the House
was the proper place for any argument OF
the case
Mr.. Campbell offered the following res.
olution:
R4sOlued That no person shall appear
before any committee Of this House as
the paid attorney in behalf Of any bill,
resolution or measure or any matter
which may be before said committee for
their investigation or consideration.
Mr.. Bradford objected, and 1t was laid
over.
On Wednesday, Mr.. Smith offered the
following resolution: I'LL.
WHEREAS. Grave charges have been
brought against the Public Printer OF OIL
leged ovefchargesin tho public printing
WHEREiS, The Legislature of1S7s saw
proper to appoint d committee, cOpsis
ling Of Hons. J. w. GranthSn, T. J.
West, John D. Lewis and W. 9. Barclay,
10 which was added Governor J. ]. ia
cob, for tho purpose Of fully investigating
said charges, and, alter Q thorOugh inves.
tigstlon, made an elaborate report thereon
to this honorable body, sustaining said
charges, which was intended to be final;
and
WHEREAS, 1t was the pleasure OF this
House TO reopen the investigation by
SgAin referring the investigation to snoth'
er committee; which has been Is session
at Sundry times, taking additional evi.
dence in relation to said overcharges; and
WHEREAS, The Public Printer, togeth'
erWith the counsel, has been allowed to
appear before said committee with such
evidence and witnesses only as they saw
proper to introduce; and
WHEREAS, Said committee has indi.
Gated 10 this House that 1t has completed
The investigation referred to 1t, and calls
upon this House to decide whether it will
send counsel on the part Of the State be-
lore said committee; and
WHEREAS, No counsel or rebutling ties.
timony on the part Of State has thus far
been introduced before said committee !;
therefore,
RsOlpOd, That His Excellency, the
Governor, be requested tC employ compe.
lent counsel, with power to send for per.
sous and papers, whereby q full, open and
lice investigation Of said overchargeS by
lae Public Printer may be made before
this House,
Nj. KuOtts, (or Calhoun) offered tho
following as a substitute for the said pre-.
anbles and resolutions:
Rs'O!0sd, That the Committee on Pub
TIC Printing and Contingent Expenses be
authorized to send for persons and papers
lot tho purpose Of communicating and
making up their report inrelation to char.
KS against the Public Printer OF this
State,
Nr. Price offered the following as a
substitute for the substitute:
TWHERRAs, MorelthRn a year ago, Igrlvc
ShAtgeS were made and presented IN due
i1tm TO the Legislature against Henry, 8
walker, Public Printer, charging hin
WIN peculatlon, and unlawful charges for
Work % the amount OF some $40 900 (psr
aapS, tEstrlctly ScruiniZed would be much
more) uulawhilly abstraCting from the
Treasury Of the State without rendering
service therefore and
WHRREAS, Tho people have been view.
Lns with soltCitude the reckless Cxpendi-
lure Of public money, and especially they
are dissatisfied in regard TO the delay Of
denomination Of the charges and specid.
CSuons made against tho Public Printer
0I The State In 1872; and
WnEREAs, The Legislature, on the
@enIy;seVenth day Of February, 1872, up,
pointed special committee composed OF
I've gentlemen, with requisite power to
Maurtng vacation, to cali for persons and
papers to proceed with euCh Investigation
SuG the Governor Is requested to take
auya such steps rs the facts may REQUIRE
aua the law authorizes, and report to The
lsAI Legislature whether any overc charge.
n.y. public printing have been made, snJ
"S1 oy whom, &C.; and now,
WHEREAS, This committee held theil
lee9lOn dOFinU thn euVpv,,ar 81 T. s.-