Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-19
COMMITTEE NOTICES.
Is This Retrenchment and Re-
form?

meeting the Legislature the State rcsound-
ed with the cry Of Retrenchment and Re
form, the sloganof the combined democrats
and greenbackers They assaulted the re-
puhlicans for extravaganza and corruption,
piling up pyramids of flllacies to make
their assertions appear plausible. Among
their measures TO enlist popular support for
their candidates was the promise that ifthey
succeeded in gaining control of the State
government, they would put an end to par
tyism, party dictation, party rings, party
schemes incompatible with the interest of
the State, aud bring in the reign of the adj
ministration of State affairs solely and pc
culiarily for the public good, and especial
ly to reduce public expenditures and light
en- taxation. This was the platform on
which the coalition stood in regard to mat
tiers affecting the State.
In accordance with these professions the
special committee of the legislature on
printing when they came to act at the
opening of the present session, advertised
in several newspapers for proposals to do
the State printing. The invitation was not
exclusive, but general. All printers who
desired to compete for the State printing
were invited by the terms of the adver-
tisement to do so. Accordingly three
bids were made, one by L. F. Pillsbury
Il CO., another by George Mason, and a
third by Sprague, Owen Il Nash the
highest bid being by f. F. Pillsbury &
Co.. and the lowest by Sprague, Owen d
Nash, the bid of the latter being 10 1-2 per
cent. below that of Pillsbury q Go. OF
course it was fair TO presume that the con
tract would be given to the lowest bidder
providing the party were responsible, else
why did the committee advertise for pro-
posalsp Business men acting on business
principles would view the matter in THAT
light; and surely men elected to the legs-
lature pledged to a reduction of State ex-
penditures would be presumed to feel
bound to give the contract where it would
NoSt tiiV b'tstiC tlit ttstNt iiitlcN. here WIS
an opportunity to cut down expenses, to
save some thousands of dollars to the
treasury, and to redeem some OF the
promises made on the stump in the cam
paign
Strange to say, the committee, Of which
seven are of the retrenchment and reform
party and three OF the republican party,
brought in report to the House contain
ing contract with the highest bidder in
stead of the forrest, the report being signed
by the seven reformers, among them the
name of w. w. Perry of Camden.
known for his efforts to cut down the al
lowance. of stationery 10 members. The
three republicans upon the committee dis
sentedfrom the action on heir.eolleagues
and brought in minority report giving
the contract to the lowest bidder, thinking
that course more consistent with retrench
ment than to award the contract to the
highest bidder.
When these reports came before the
House motion was made to substitute the
minority for the majority report-that is
to take the lowest bid instead of the high
est, that which would save the State a con
siderable sum of money. On this motion
a contest began, the end of which is not
yet After spending part of two DAYS
in debating the subject, in which it was
made clear that the lowest bid was
the best for the State--the one which
should be accepted if retrenchment is
to- rule the Legislature, the Pillsbury
democrats and greenbackers, afraid to
put .. themselves on record as voting
to take money ont of the treasury
to sustain political newspaper, lodged
vote to that effect by four majority. and
succeeded in referring the matter to the
Governor and Council by whom. if the
Senate will concur in the reference, they
undoubtedly believe L. f. Pillsbury 4
Co. will be taken care Of
Beside the fact that the party which pro,
iesses to be in favor OF retrenchmsnt an6
reform has shown itself in this matter act
ing in opposition to the rules of economy
laid down in its platform, actually propos
ing to give away thousands of dollars Of
the State g money which might be saved
by accepting the lowest bid. there is also
another fact appears, that this waste of the
peoples money is to be made for l1ollical
purposes That fact has been brouoht
out in the debate. Several of the leader.
planted themselves squarely on the ground
that they were bound on political ground,
to give the contract to +. +. Pillsbury 4
Co., one Of them even declaring that h,
would not vote to give it to Sprague
Owen e. Nash if they would do it fol
nothing. When it is found that deception
is no longer possible they avow the rea
object of this movement to give the print
ing to the highest bidder, tina
is, for political purposes There j,
no other motive under heaven. II
is to the honor of several members of the
greenback party that they have refused To
support h. K. Pillsbury d Co. apainsf =