Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-04
WINE LEGISLATURE.


PRAYER BIZ Rev. Mr.. FcLLER of Halloween
Paners from the House disposed Of in con-
currenee.
The House order extending time for re-
cars;on az pc,i,ious one week. was passed IN
concurrence
The printing and bidding contracts were
taken up
Mr.. SrgrcKIAxp had not been particularly IN
formed whether the most favorable contracts
had been made He understood that M
nority report would be submitted lie ha',
no factious opposition to make; presun'e',
that this patronage would go to the dominant
parsv. but would have the most favoraoie
contracts possible. He did not know but
these contracts we're sueh ones He moved
that the contracts lie on the table until to-
morrow.
Mr.. HAYES said that minority report
could be made in the House. He had IN
derstood that Mr.. MiLLIKES Of the House. IN
tended To submit a minority report thefe
had been plenty of time and no such report
had been submitted. The first thing the
committee did was 10 find responsible par
ties. who would do the printing IN WORK
manIike manner Sprague & CO., had al
WAYS done the work well. The present con-
tract with them was substantially the same
as that under which Pillsbury did the work
work last wear, and little lower II
ANYTHING. IL is well known mat
neither labor. printing materials nor
rent have become any cheaper. but there has
been a steady advance. This contract We
submitted u experienced and competent
printers, and have been assured that II was
the most favorable that could be made for
the State.
Mr.. P,rrES said the Committee on Printing
4. In.
ti.ed for proposals True. it got them into
difficulty. as some were in favor of giving the
work to party friends. regardless Of the price
The person vino did the binding last year Is
ready now 10 perform the work on even more
satisfactory terms this year. He thought
that the parties who did the work to accep-
lance last wear should have the opportunity
to bid this year. and he was in favor OF CIV
ing the work to parties who will do 1t the
cheapest.
Mr.. HARRIS said that we should look ut
this matter Just as we should at our own bus
mess affairs. Already considerable printing
has been incurred Sprague 4 Son are now
doing the work without any specihed con-
tract. and We don't know what we are paying.
The contract should be closed up at once, and
the price fixed. The committee had consid-
cred the matter thoroughly, much more so
than any member of the Senate could do. ana
they know perfectly well in regard to the
proper price to pay. These parties with whom
the contract is pending have guaranteedto do
the work to the satisfaction of the Governor
and Council. He wished to vote to-day on
the contract.
Mr.. ELLIS should approach this business
just exactly as he did his private business.
He was always in the habit Of getting jobs
done BY the cheapest responsible parties.
Last winter he went for the lowest RESPONSE
BILE bidder, regardless of party; he should do
so now.
Mr.. BRAproRD said that last session pro-
posals were invited for doing the State print
ing. Sprague. Owen & Nash proposed to do
the work at l64 per cent. lower than the par
ties to whom the committee awarded the con-
tract. The Senate non-concurred with the
House in accepting the highest (Pillsbury's)
bid; and the Governor and Council, acting
under what authority he knew not, contract
ed with Pilsbury for the work. The COM
mttees nov have closed contract with the
parties putting in the lowest bid last year,
and he was satisfied with it.
Mr. DEARBoRS said he had no doubt the
committee had acted understandingly, but he
understood that bids were in readiness to
come in whereby saving could be made in
the binding of from $500 to $1,000. And why
should it not be made?
Mr. HAYES said that no knowledge had
come to the committee that the work could be
done for price less than the contract they
had submitted.
Mr.. DEARBORN SAID that the party doing
the binding last year had informed him that
the binding could be done for 10 per cent.
less than last year.
Mr. ELLIS said the committee did not ask
for proposals.
Mr.. HAYES replied that the committee
were appointed early in the session, and
could have been approached by parties at any
time.
Mr.. DiNGLEY desired that the work should
be done at the least possible expense. The
committee had been at work three weeks; it
had not been the usual custom to ask for pro-
posals. Parties having such proposals could
hand them into the committee The present
contract is lower than the work was done for
last year, and he was satisfied that it was the
most favorable that could be made with
responsible parties.
Mr.. Barrett said it was his duty to look af-
ter the interests of his constituents. and he
wished to know if the price offered was as
favorable as offered by some parties last
year.
Mr.. HAYES said that the price of last year
was offered because the hands in the office of
Sprague, Owen & Nash, agreed for the sake
of retaining the work to suffer a reduction in
their pay, and accordingly the offer was made
But the matter fell between the two Houses,
and no contract for printing was made. The
contract for binding passed both branches.
Mr.. LINN said he didn't believe any Senator
at the board would object to this matter living
upon the table for the present. He stood
here for no party, but in the interests of the
State. He had desire to have more of prin-
ciple, and less Of party.
Mr.. CORNISH said that last year the COM
mittee, after advertising for proposals. gave
the contract to the highest bidder
The committee had before them this
year several practical printers, and
were fully satisfied that the contract with
Sprague & Son. was for the best interest
of the State. These bids by irresponsible
parties, which il is now proposed to put in,
as for stirring up mischief, and for political
clap-trap.
On motion Of Mr.. ELLIS. the yeas and NAYS
were taken, and the contracts were laid upon
the table by the following vote
Dearborn. Ellis, Lamson Of Sagadshoc. Wakefield.
Linn, fAriin, Patten, Rankins, Rogers, Strick-
land.-if.
NAYs.-Nessrs Coombs, Cornish. Dinslev. Brev.
er. Flint. Duran Harris, Hill, smith, Locke Brad
ford. Fernald, Hawes.-ia.
On motion Of Mr.. FLINT,
Ordered, That the Committee on Legal