The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-05-13
Forty Fourth Congress-FIrst Session.
SEN ATE

cation from the Governor of Vermont announc-
ing that the statute of Col. Ethan Allen was
completed and delivered to be placed in the
National Statuary Hall; also communication
from the Commissioners of the District OF Co
lumbia, stating that DO discrimination as TO
color exists in the management of the schools,
aud that no additional legislation is required TO
secure equality in the schools.
The roll-call revealed the fact that out %
Senators were in attendance, mot quorum)
Mr. Edmunds moved to adjourn, but With
drew the motion that absentees might be noti-
fed, In few minutes 81 Senators Ia quoruml
answered.
The Senate agreed that Wneu IL ADJOURN TO-
day it be to Monday.
Mr.. Sargent of California, presented lengthy
petition of citizens of California, complaining
of various irregularities and mismanagement
in the Central Pacific Railroad, and asking that
Joint committee of Congress be appointed to
sic in San Francisco during the recess to inquire
into the affairs of said company, the firm of
Charles Croker & Co., and the contract and
finance company, and asking that all legisla-
ton proposed by the manager be postponed IN
til after the report Of the Committee on Rail-
roads.
Mr.. Boutwell, presented resolution of the
Massachusetts Legislature, requesting Condon's
release from an English prison. Referred.
After the introduction and reference OF seve-
raj bills, Mr.. Sherman moved to take up the
House bill authorizing the appointment OF
receiver of national banks and other purposes.
Mr.. Edmunds said there were but few Sena-
tors present, and moved that the Senate adj
journ. Agreed to and the Senate at II. so ad
journed till Monday.
HOUSE
S. S. Cox was elected Speaker PRO tenn during
the absence of Mr. Kerr
House went into Committee OF the Whole on
the postotfice appropriation bill, the question
being in regard to abolishing the letter carrier
system in cities of less than 10000 population.
The proposed abolition was defeated.
After the reading of few further lines in
the bill, Mr.. Foster of Ohio, moved to insert an
item of $350,000 additional, for the letter car
rier system in cities of less than 10000 inhabi
tants.
MI. Holman of Ind, made point of order
that the time at which such an amendment
could be offered was past.
The chairman (Springer) sustained the point
of order and against that ruling Mr.. Foster
took an appeal.
The committee then rose and the appeal was
reported to the House, which laid it on the
table, Sc to GA.
The House again went into Committee of the
Whole and resumed the consideration of the
bill.
Mr.. Foster moved an amendment increasing
the item for inland transportation from $14,-
100000 to $4,000, 900, specifying it as follows:
Transportation by railroads, SIS, 1862, 149; by
''star" routes, steamboats, and all other than
railroad routes, Sc ,237 .851. He proceeded to
| explain it. He stated that tie plan to be al
| lowed was five mills per lineal foot of car
| room when mails are carried less than 26 miles
| an hour, and six mills over that rate of speed.
Mr.. Harrison moved to increase the item by
| $350,000.
After a long discussion all the amendments
| but that offered by Mr.. Holman were rejected,
| and Holman's was adopted.
Without disposing of tie bill the committee
| rose, when Mr.. Vance of Ohio, chairman of
| the Committee on Printing, made partial re-
port on the subject of the government printing
office. The report states that the CongreSson-
al printer has charged for the work of the ex-
ecutive departments an excess ranging from 30
to 125 per cent. beyond the regular rates; that
he has been paying more than the ordinary re-
tail market prices for many articles purchased
| for the office; that he has invariably purchased
| supplies from middemeD, allowing them a
heavy profit; that prices paid for labor are
| greatly in excess of those of other establish
ments, while the days work is s hours against
| 10 hours in private establishments, and that as
at present managed the printing and binding
| for Congress and the departments costs more
| money than it can be done for by responsible
| private parties The waste gold leaf for the
| last seven years, which has been appropriated
| by the superintendent of the binding depart.
ment, is estimated at $4,00O,0O0 The report
declares that system OF unparalleled extrava-
| gance pervades every department of the gov
eminent printing Office. In regard to the
printing of the Congressional Record, the COM
mittee is of the opinion that it would be in the
interest OF economy to remove its publication
from the government printing office and give a
contract to Mr.. Franklin Rves. The report
describes the bookkeeping to have been of so
loose character as to be entirely unreliable,
and says the Congressional printer demonstrate
ed fully to the mind of the committee his utter
disqualification for the proper discharge of his
duties. and that his subordinates are very little
better in that respect THAI their chief
The internal management of the office is
represented as worse, if possible, than the
bookkeeping, and being of such character as
would ruin the most substantial private estab-
lshment in the country. This management
comprised the lending of machinery and ma
terial to private parties, the employment of
men on account of political influence who were
totally unfit to earn their wages, the payment
of employees while absent at elections, the SELL
ing of records and documents on credit in vio
lation of law, the execution of work for private
parties, the forcing of balances and the falsif-
cation of accounts.
In conclusion, the committee expresses the
opinion that the work at the government print
ing Office costs 100000 a year more than it
would cost if done by responsible private par
ties under proper contract system, and that it
is wise to take immediate steps for discontin-
uance of the Office.
The committee also recommended that the
proposition of franklin Rives, of the ID of
May, 1876, for the printing and binding of the
debates OF Congress be accepted, and a contract
entered into to take effect at the beginning of
next session, and that the printing and binding
for the departments shall be under the control
of the heads Of those departments, and shall
be executed under contract. Report closes
with resolutions instructing the Speaker to GER
tify the testimony to the district authorities,
to the end that the Congressional printer m ay
be indicted and prosecuted, irstructing the Ju-
dietary Committee to inquire whether he is an
officer who may be impeached and instructing
the Committee on Appropriations to report in
the sundry civil appropriation bill sections for
the abolition of the government printing office,
and providing for the printing and binding for
all departments of the government
The report was ordered to be printed and re-
committed.
Speakers leaye of absence was extended for
ten days.
Adjourned till tomorrow.