The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-05-10
SALEM, OREGON,
October II, IS72.

october II, lS13-
To the Honorable Joint Committee on State Painting
GENTLEMEN; According to your instrc-
tions, have carefully examined. compared.
and measured the WORK performed for the State
oythe several state Printers. tthat is, copses Of
the Laws, Journals, Messages and Reports
printed either in book or pamphlet form, cup
les Of other work, such as bills, &e., could not
facts.
The style OF work has been about the same
throughout by each Public Pr nter with these
exca ptfons: The Journals priutei by Nr Pr
tock were set in solid paragraphs, using leads
only between paragraphs, and quad or blank
ports printed by MessrS. McPnerSon and Pat
terson were all loaded with -four to picar'
was better than that used by either Pittoek or
Mcpherson, except the Code, printed by Mr.
Piioek. which Is upon Pape. Of excellent quai.
tty. The paper used BY McPherson was OF
poorer quality than that used by either OF the
other two state Prinfers.
The measurement of type set fper i,Oaa ems
Is alike in all wors, as indeed there could not
be any serious mistake made in this respect.
In estimating the paper the same basis has
been adopted by all eight pages TO the sigma
ture and one sheet to each signature-and heTe
has arisen the main c use OF coTnpIaint on the
part of those who understand the subject. The
law allows so W per am for all paper used,
but fails 10 state the size Of the shees a nd ioes
cap or 1atcap paper Hence IL has been
claimed by the State Printers that as the basis
OF eight pages 10 the signature is the general
custom in all leading book printing Offices,
therefore, il was right TO count paper upon the
same D1 is, Wllcn gives lu u q rplll lOF BOOK
paper (2i by 3S inches the usual size1 instead OF
SO % The cost of book paper 90 to n pounds
to the reaml in Salem at this date is about
sI3 70 p rsam and the cost OF fatcap "a To
10 pounds per res m) IS from s. ~ to SI6 % per
ream. Therefore the Slate Printer would lose
largely on book paper and make but a small
profit on fatcap paper. II he was only allowed
SO % per rean for iull size. because nothing is
allowed for wAstage in either case. Again, pa
per manufacturers can and do make paper Al
all sizes and grades when specially ordered ana
the state Printer coul (and may have so doDe)
order paper one-iourth the usual size cut and
packed into regular reams by the manufacture
ers, and thus complied strictly with tine letter
of the law, and obtained his paper at n small
advance upon regular price for regular sizAs. !
have, therefore, been compelled q, allow the
claim Of one sheet TO each full gnature of
eight pages for book and pamphlet work, and
one sheet to each BILL etc OF four pages
There has been no allowance made Tor vast
age in paper in any case which in ali book
printing offices is estimated A. at least five per
cent. oD amount required for all work.
In estimating prs ss-work the same rule has
been pursued as in counting paper-eight pages
10 the signature or form and two tokens to each
form. Upon the subject of press work. 1 desire
high, as the profit OF the printer is very small
at one dollar per token, OF two hundred and
forty sheets; provided, he takes any pains
whatever with this important branch of his
work. Nothing has been allowed for ink.
The price paid for binding in paper covers
sl0 90 per lu9 copies-is exceedingly high at the
| present timei but it is so liked by law, and has
been allowed.
In former report I have given the cost of
Printer since 1867 which will iorrn a mart of this
report also, mparison of the work In de-
tail, which accompanies this report.
In addition TO What have before stated rel
ative TO the law governing State Printers, l
would again nrse the early amendment there
of, which will save TO the State many dollars
hereafter and end Iurther complaint in this di-
rection.
notwithstanding the fact that the work has
been heightened, or made what printers term
upon eOmparis with that done for Other
states copies of which can be seen In the State
Library, tnd no wide difference after all. The
work now being done will compare ;avorably
with any other state work and is superior to
many.
ed for this state during The PAST eight years
and more especially the work done by Mr.. Pat
terson and the present State Printer, end the
measurements and allowances made by Ex-
perts who have examined the work, and who
are all practical printers and men OF good
Jached to all bills for printing which ave bee n
allowed-and Taore parIcuarly the measure
ments and allowances made by Mart. V.
IN all respects and according to law.
Respectfully submitted,
URBAN Z. HICKS, Expert
We submit the above report that il
may be before our readers thus early III
the campaign, and we promise that we
will next week show wherein gross
wrongs were perpetrated under Radical
State Printers, and especially during
the time that Mr.. H. L. Pittock wa
State Printer and w. B. Carter, th,
present Republican candidate for State
Printer, was the expert. The abov,
report shows it, but many of our read
ers may not see it quite so plainly until
it is pointed out to them.
Other experts besides Carter did som,
lively measuring as that report will
how, and they will need little atten
ion in the matter.
In the meantime we desire to stat
hat we not emily expect it, but W,
'ourt the closest scrutiny and the mo i
minute investigation into the matter o
he State Printing, either as to tn
work or the measurement, and are ready
o abide by the consequences, bein.
iully assured of a triumphant vindiea
ton Of the Printer and of the expert.