National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-01-13

named have declared substantially their conf
denco in the management of the bureau since
that time.
The Hon. Mr.. Glover makes tho general
charge Of needless and oxtravagant cxpendi-
lures, with the following specifications:
lSG3-'7s, rent (needless) ess)......,....... 100000
lSl3-'i5 needless employees and excessive -,.o,o
ls69157 excessive price, for seal red ink. 10000
lsG9-,77, examination of pgper...... 6QOW0
lS9-'fS, excessive price Of pNpcr..,...., HDOWO
lSll u, useless purchase Of papcr......, GOQ0O
1s7lt77, needless engraving ......,....., 1850
lS1G-71, unfinished fractional currency
destroyed. ,.',,,.,..s..'.'.,..s'ss dJOVJV
II will be observed that he gives dates GOV.
ering the two years which have elapsed since
its reorganization, and would make ii appear,
if these statements are to he credited, that the
present administration of the Bureau is rcspOn-
sibe for n portion of the cxtravagant aud need
less expenditure of money, which lie places at
the enormous sum of 50 5,335 900, aud states that
he will furnish the proof upon which he makes
the charge. This is no personal matter. He
makes this serious charge upon his Official re-
sponsibility rs the chairman of one of tho most
important committees of the House Of Repre-
sertativcs, with the declared object Of influ-
encng its legislation. | answer, upon my re.
sponsibility as the present chief of that Bureau
aud rs having been intimately associated with
its late chief, Hon. Edward Mcpherson, as his
assistant, that he is in error. challenge him
to produce the proof.
On the contrary, the Bureau since its organ
ization has saved the Government largo sums
of money by executing nearly all the work Of
| engraving and printing for less than it form.
crly cost to execute the legal tender notes and
miscellaneous bonds To demonstrate this
have but to again call the attention Of your
committee TO the fact that there was esti-
mated aud appropriated for labor and expense
of engraving and printing for the fiscal year
| ,f
pended of this appropriation the sum of Sli7,-
| 1888. For expenses of national currency
during the same year there was estimated and
appropriated the sum of Sl5O00O. There was
expended the sum Of $l30, ,S2733. To the sums
thus saved must be added the sum of $4,000,
the amount of the reduction made in tho cost
| of printing II years supply OF internal revenue
stamps This will mako an aggregate saving
of $1I2,00s.s4, With this amount of money in
the Treasury uneXpended | beg to ask, If
there is any loss incurred in connection with
this Bureau, where is itp
| 1t has been charged that under previous adj
ministrations OF the Bureau it WAS the practice
to use its patronage in such q way rs to
strengthen its demands upon Congress for ap-
proprations in order TO secure as large an
amount of money each year rs possible and
that it resulted in securing larger sums than
the service really required, tho employment
of useless and unqualified persons, and the
| purchase of larger amounts of material than
were needed for the regular operations of the
| Bureau. The large amount of money which
remains unexpcnded ON account of its appro-
priatons for 1SU-'7S is a guarantee that the
present management of the Bureau has not
/ been actuatcd by any such desire, and must
satisfy any candid mind of the fact that in the
Bureau as reorganized, only those persons are
employed who are necessary and are known
| TO be qualified to execute its work.
hali hat ItttE 1igrhupfrnl tuha /
have submitted, in the usual manneS my es-
| Inmates as to the cost of the work which the
| Bureau will be required to execute during the
fiscal year, aud l have abundant evidence, from
intercourse with members of Congress, that
this is the basis upon which they desire tho
business to be conducted.
In this connection | desire tc say shall be
happy at any time it may be the pleasure OF
the committee to consider the matter, to show
that the amount estimated for the fiscal year
1850 will bo required and that, owing to the
gradually improving conditions of our service
these estimates are made with view TO further
reduce the cost Of each 600 impressions.
In conclusion, invite examination by the
committees of Congress into all the affairs oi
this Bureau since the day on which it was re
organized, and shall welcome criticism from
members of Congress or any agent of the public
having right to make it, upon the methods
pursued. L shall be pleased to have the bene
fit Of their advice and suggestions, ana viii
correct anything found to be faulty. But
have always declined and will continue to de
cline to notice the complaints and grievances
of irresponsible or Interested parties, such a.
active in furnishing the Hon. Mr.. Glover witt
pretended information or Of the complaints o
who have pecuniary interest in withdrawing
the Government work from the Bureau. | be
lieve that there is nota single detail connected
with the Bureau. l believe that there is not {
single detail connected with its administration
which will not bear the closest scrutiny of the
enemies as well as the friends Of the Bureau
aud not an item of business has been trans
acted which will not rebound to tho credit o
those connected with its administration
With great respect, am, your ohedient ser
want, o. II. IRISH,
Chief ef Bureau.
Hon. j. d. G. Atkins, Chairman Committee OF
..inLiL u