Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-09-21

) DrleI anu Clear u SJsiicIicub dS COui'
, of the reasons for my dissent from
the majority of the committee, ant
leave the matter with the House
+ without minority report. Blu
J upon further consideration, as tht
character and reputation of on
( whom l believe to he upright and
honorable was assailed, felt it my
duty to do for him what under re
verse of positions should wish tt
have done for me, and the cause o.
J justice and truth.
1t is very common thingin higf
party times to assail and vilify the
reputation of those who may seem tt
: stand in the way of our personal sue
cess or party triumph, but, without
just cause, it is one of the darkest
features of our present civilization.
Character is our richest treasure td
keep, and all that VIC have that is
worthy transmission. and he who
takes it from US makes us poor in
deed.
The great responsibility of the Of
flee of Congressional Printer with its
complicated and onerous duties de-
mands alenient judgment unless there
is good evidence of Intentional fraud
Perhaps there is no department in
the Government more trying to a
faithful officer anxious to do his duty
in its varied and multiplied relations
than that ofthe Congressional Printer.
He not only has the charge of one OF
the largest printing establishments in
the country, but must also carry on
the separate business of a stereotype
foundery, an extensive bindery, and a
large mercantile business. He is also
subject to the orders OF both branches
of Congress, the executive and its
several Departments, and, what per-
haps is still more trying. the impor-
tunities of members of Congress for
various favors and accommodations.
Add to these the printing of the
RECORD, which is equivalent to a
daily paper. during the sessions of
Congress, and consider that more
than thousand hands are employed
in performing the necessary labor,
and it will not he strange if some i'm
perfections should be found in the
complicated workings OF the ma
chine.
Doubtless there have been mistakes,
Inaccuracies, and perhaps sometimes
looseness in the performance of the
work necessary to keep all in order
and moving on harmoniously; yet
the testimony, though in secret, and
to n great degree eE parte and seem
ingly summoned to confirm presumed
guilt, finds no corruption or fraud in
the head of the house or of any of
the subordinates.
The specific. charges and resolu-
tions looking toward the Indictment
and impeachment Of the Congression
al Printer, an officer of the Senate,
and not of the House, seem to have
been paramount to every other CON
sideration In this investigation,
Iwish briefly to notice these charges
in the order in which they are re-
capitulated in the majority report.
l. The extra cost Of Uork, if true,
should not be charged altogether
upon the Congressional Printer, as
Congress makes eight hours a legal
days work, while in most private Of
foes ten hours Ia the rule, making
difference of 90 per cent; and the
printers union, on the ground Of en-
ira expense of living in Washington
and the inconstant work in the Gov
ernment Office, demands higher wages
than the average in other cities.
2. Incompetency. The tree should
be judged by its fruits. The neat
and wQrkman-like appearance of the
Government Office in all its depart
ments is the uniform testimony Of all
visitors. The promptness and adj
mirable manner in which the work is
produced, whether bills or books, re-
ports or RECORD, testify of care and
ability and is the best answer to this
charge.
8 Cost of Record Incorrectly re-
ported. 1t would almost seem by the
strenuous effort to take the RECORD
from the Government Office and place
it in private hands at higher price
than is now charged that there was
some interest besides the Govern
ment's that was to be looked after.
For / am assured that though it is
difficult to give the exact cost of any
particular work where so many kinds
are carried on at the same time, yet
the reported cost of the RECORD IS
very close approximation to the real
ity.
4. The acork done for the be
partmeats ercessioe. / think this is
true; and we may include tho legis-
lative department with its superhuous
volumes of investigating testimony.
Very much here may be judiciously
abated with great saving to the
Government
5. General extravaganza. This Is
sweeping but indefinite charge, and
must have reference to prices paid for
labor and material, as there are no
salaried supernumeraries, no pay for
titles,no stylish "turnouts; only those
who work get pay in this office; yet
in the purchase of material it is quite
probable that, with judicious man.
agement, saving can be made, but
not to that extent which the testi-
mony of witnesses anxious for Gov
ernment patronage would seem to in
dictate.
6. False 0o@chers. This charge
is based on the ground that some
blank-books, owned by Philip & Sol
onions and needed by the Treasury
Department, were transferred to the |
same through the Government Print
ing Office in a manner perhaps which |
was not technically legal. It should |