The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-27
The Printing Plumber.

For the first time since the lobby sue
ceeded in establishing what is called the
Government Printing Once, there was
thorough, honest and fair investigation OF
its management last winter. conducted by
the Hon. J. l.. VANCE, Chairman of the House
Committee who. besides being practical
printer, is an intelligent, honorable and
upright man. Former Investigations under
Republican rule were mere farces in
tended to whitcwash the Printer, and to
save the Ring with which he Is connected
from exposure.
Senator ANTHONY, who for years has
been Chairman of the Printing Committee,
and who is chiefly resp onsible for the
existing lax, veual, and disgraceful sys-
tenn, never permitted IA searching inquiry
INTO its operations, while his party con-
trolcd both branches of Congress The
inquiry went to a certain point, where
sunlight entered the dark places, and then
the gates were suddenly shut down. Testi-
mony was suppressed. reports were post
poned, and finally everything was found
lovely. As a consequence, several Repub-
licnn members returned TO their constitu-
cuts much richer than they went to Wash
ingtou.
Mr.. VANCE determined to go to the bot
tom Of the business, and he did so as far
ms daring perjury, suppression OF evidence,
aud other combinations would allow him
to do. He called in the best experts, OBJ
tanned the trade prices. and proved posi-
lively that the process by which the CAT
TELLS were enriched in naval jobbery was
also practised in the printing oflice,and that
middle men who divided got the valuable
trade. IL was shown that CLAPP's son had
become a partner of Baltimore Arm that
furnished the largest amount of paper,
and at the highest prices; that no proper
returns were made OF the gold leaf, waste
paper. and other materials; aud that the
money which should have gone into the
Treasury was held on private deposit by
CLAPP and his son.
| The thievery was systematic and large,
| and a great portion Of il was so covered
| up as to be hidden from all view, except
that of the experts who put in the probe
| and found IL TO run up to nearly half a
million a year. When the pinch came for
CLAPP TO confront these proofs, he re-
treated, and claimed that his Office be-
| longed to the Senate and he was beyond
| tuc VI tut ~ iiV ohh
| of the investigation Congress changed the
appointment from the Senate 10 the Presi-
| dent and Senate, thus at least giving sane
| ton to one OF the recommendations.
great effort was made TO defeat CLAP,
but Senator ANTHONY took 1t up zealously
rs a personal matter, and GRANT helped
him. When the nomination was sent TO the
Senate il met with decided opposition, and
ANTHONY importuned Senators OF both
| parties to couhrm il rs a favor to him. He
succeeded again, and the Republicans vim.
dictated the convicted Printer, as they did
in other cases equally fragrant, by voting
for an officer whom they know to be un-
worthy OF trust.
Tue first act of CLAPP, after getting
through the Senate and being assured OF
his place until the end OF GRANTS term
was to raise q subscription from the EN-
ployees of the Government Printing once
and send the money 10 Mr.. VANcEs dis
trict to defeat his reelection to the House
A large sum was obtained with the knowl
edge of the President and Cabinet to pur
chase votes, in the hope of defeating
the man who exposed this corruption
Perhaps another investigation next win
ter will be more effective.