The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-02-05
Bill to Regulate the Public Printing.

Bill to Regulate the Public Printing.
We publish below an abstract of bills in-
troduced last week by Mr. John r. Cochran, of
Anderson, intended to correct the abuses here
tofore practiced in the matter of public print
ing. The first bill embraces an elaborate
scheme, with all the points carefully guarded
to prevent imposition upon the State, and pro-
tect the expenditure of the peoples money. It
is deplorable sign of the corrupt times in
which we live that such particularly is neces-
sary to insure a faithful disbursement of the
public funds but the past history of the print
ing frauds, justi6es this watchfulness on the
part of those willing and anxious to bring
about reform. We feel assured that there VII!
be decided Improvement hereafter, whether
or not Mr. Cochran's bill becomes law, and
that majority of the Legislature has deter
mined to bring the public printing within
something like decent figures. The levy Of
one-half mill upon the present valuation Of
property will realize more than is necessary for
the actual cost Of the printing, leaving fair
margin of profits to the contractor, but this
levy is an unusual stride towards retrepch-
ment, and deserves to be supported on that
ground. The abstract is herewith appended !:
John R. Cochran, of Anderson, who has
been at work from the beginning of the session
endeayoring to get his measure in bomb-proof
form. introduced two bills for regulating the
public printing. The one bill is very long and
elaborate. It provides for the election of a
printing inspector, who shall be practical
printer. His duties are to inspect and keep a
record and file of the same, and to examine
the printing accounts of the contractor, com.
pare them with his file, and certify whether or
not he has lawfully and minutely, by strict
measurement, performed the work according
to the contract. He is to be elected on the
first Saturday after the General Assembly meets
in regular session, each year, by the joint vote
of the two houses. It also provides that in
addition to the oath of Office as provided for
other officers in the constitution, he shall take
an oath that he is not directly or indirectly in
terested in any proposal for the public printing,
nor will he while in Office His bond is to be
in the penal sum of FIVE thousand dollars.
He is 10 furnish his bond and enter upon the
discharge of his duties within ten days after
MS electlOn, anu u sef'e io1 tno 1oiHn Va ouo
year. :,
It also provides for State printing board,
composed of the Governor, Secretary of State,
attorney general, comptroller-general, adjutant
and inspector-general, treasurer, comprising
all the State Officers, the president of the
Senate and speaker of the House of Represen-
tatives. whose duty it shall be to publish in a
newspaper in the cities of Charleston and
Columbia, and in a paper in each Congress
sional district in the State, on the first Monday
in August Of each year, an abstract of this law,
stating distinctly every item to be bid for, and
the manner of allowing compensation for the
same. Proposals for State printing are to be
received at the Office Of the Secretary of State
until the first Monday in October. The print
ing the State board shall contract for, includes
ali the work ordered by the General Assembly,
the executive and judicial offices, and all other
work, unless otherwise provided for ty law.
The State board may let out the work to more
than one contractor, if they deem it advisable,
provided the same be the lowest responsible
bidder, and no person shall be deemed ire
sponsible who shall tender good and sufficient
sureties with his proposal The State board
shall assemble on the second Monday in Octo-
ber, at the Office of the Secretary of State, who
shall be the chairman of the board, open and
examine all proposals publicly, and, after q
careful. examination and strict computation,
shall award the contract to the lowest RESPONSE
bic bidder. The proposals shall specifically
state the price per page for the printing of all
bills, resolutions and other matter that may be
ordered by the General Assembly.
1t shall be the duty of the contractor to file
copy of each piece of work performed by
him, with his account and vouchers, with the
State board, who are to carefully examine
the same, assisted by the printing inspector
After all accounts and vouchers have been ex.
amined, and all over-charges and errors cor
rected, and the penalties charged, if any, the
| account shall be duly certified by the board
as correct, or q majority of them. then the
comptroller-general shall issue his warrant
which shall be countersigued by the Governor
and it is made the duty Of the treasurer te
Immediately pay the same out of any moneys
levied, collected and appropriated for thai
purpose.
1t is made the duty of the committees or
printing in both houses, on the fourth Monday
in each month, to examine all work, such as
bills, resolutions and memorials, executed fol
the use of either house while in session. L
to act conformity, and, as far as practicable
nave diI WViA PSiloAA0o % oAA0 e1hu sAAe oss1A'>
job.
1t is made the duty of the Secretary of State
to give without delay, to the successful bidder
who shall give bond from three to FIVE thou
sand dollars for the faithful and punctual per
formance of each branch of printing to which
be has been awarded, a contract; if he fails
to give bond within ten days the contract shall
then be awarded to the next lowest bidder
The State board has the right to remove the
contractor for refusing to comply with the
contract or for refusing to employ colored
printers, unless the General Assembly be in
session in such case they shall report the
same to them for such action as they may deem
necessary. 1t is made fnisdemeanor for any
of the State board to be directly or indirectly
interested in any contract for printing pun.
ishable by fine and Imprisonment. All &C.
counts shall be made out by the contractor in