National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-16

THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN of the 18th
speaks of a conspiracy by jObbors, strikers
and corruptionists to capture the Government
Printing Office. Does not THE REPUBLICAN
know that the most direct mode to defeat such
conspiracy is TO join with us in urging action
upon Bill II Il. 2l70 to elect Congressional
Printer now on the calendar of the Commit
tee of the WhOle2 The editor will hardly
deny, knowing the facts MS lie does, that q
change such as the bill provides is desirable.
The bill in question is the same against the
repeal of which by the Forty-third Congress
he, through his immediate representative
Mr. BASS, protested, and which was finally
repealed by the Forty-fourth Congress, in
rider to the Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill.
Sunday Herald.
THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN is irrevo-
cabiy opposed to any scheme which will
place the printing interests of this Govern
ment, now that it has been to the vast ex-
pense of establishing the most perfect and
most extensive printing Office in the world,
at the mercy of jobbers and contractors.
Such an act would in our judgment, be
suicidal folly, and we are at n loss to see
how to pass II. r. Bill 2170, which proposes
to transfer the appointment of the Public
Printer from the President to the Senate, is
likely to defeat the measure to which our
contemporary refers. The main object of
Bill 2170 is to capture patronage for the
Democratic party and its plunderers, which
is now in the hands of the Republicans.
If the administration of the Government
Printing Office is honest and Just there is
no call for change Of Public Printer in
the interest of the jobbers; aud if it is dis
honestly or incompetently managed, and
that fact is made apparent, the President
can effect any needed reform without a
change of the law under which the Print
ing Office is organized and managed, by
changing the head of the Office. He has
| full power in that direction, and will no
doubt exercise it when the public interest
demands such action.
The law which transferred the power Of
appointing the Public Printer from the
Senate to the Executive, where it now
reposes, was passed at the instigation OF
| Democratic contractors, jobbers and states
men, who were in pursuit of vengeance
because they had been deprived of fat
Job, or had fniled to establish any wrong
uOllS Mhclc NhCy hou hOpSu w. Inv
motive was discreditable and the objective
point of their malice was not reached
Now that the Senate is Democratic it il
equally discreditdble to attempt to change
the law that they fought SO valautly to
secure at the time of its passage. 1t is
mere boys game of shuttlecock for petty
advantage, and is unbecoming true states
men. We regard it piece of nonsen Sc t.
pass Bill 2l70, for the inevitable veto stands
between it and the statute book The APP
pointing power was taken from the Senat,
and conferred upon the President on con
stitutional grounds, as was then urged, and
the Constitution has not been changed t.
justify this attempt on the part Of tn,
Democrats to go back on their own bant,
ling, We most respectfully decline to joir
with the Herald in urging action upon it
little bill which merely seeks petty party
advantage. 1t is too small business to b
engaged in. "It isn't in our way"