National Republican., 1880-03-16
A SCRAMBLE FOR sPoILs.


The pending fight over the Government
printing has assumed an aspect under which
it appears to be but little else than ascram-
ble for the patronage which attaches to
that branch of the public service. The
non-action of Congress, when it was
fully advised of the rapid eX haustion of the
regular appropriation, in providing the
means for performing that service, has
evcntuated in its suspension. Now it looks
as if it was the purpose of Congress to lay
all the responsibility of this interruption of
the work at the door of the Public Printer,
and make him the scnpcGoat by legslating
away his Office. This expedient is neither
statesman-like nor mauly, for in that it
places that officer in helpless condition,
and then Furnishes him by transfer Of the
appointing power from the Republican to
the Democratic side of the score.
We are not disposed, under our limited
knowledge OF the official action Of the Pub
lie Printer, either to condemn or defend
him. 1t is our present purpose only to deal
with the methods resorted TO by the Demo-
crots to gobble up the large patronage of
the Government Printing Office for its own
party use. This much, however, we do feel
at liberty 10 say in this connecticut Ifthe
Public Printer has been guilty of offenses
that entitle him TO official death, this is not
the proper form of execution. 1t is not the
just and manly way. He is an impeach-
able officer, aud is entitled to q fair trial
before he is executed. Impeach him, try,
convict and execute him in "a legal, civil
lied and Christian manner, instead of as
sassinnting him with n rider" under an il
legitimate and somewhat surreptitious pro-
sense of public justice-if he is guilty of
malfeasnnce in Office; but il is like garot-
ing man TO secure his position or his
pocketbook, TO legislato him out, of his
place, and thus smrch him without giving
him an opportunity, under fair trial, to
vindicate himself
Congress is well aware of the fact that 1t
is not possible for the Public Printer, with
out violation of law which subjects him
to punishment for misdemeanor, to print
beyond what is covered by his appropria-
ton. II is also fully advised, and has been
for months, that the appropriation was
being rapidly exhausted and could not ex-
tend beyond the present date. 1t fully
understands that the work at the Govern
ment Printing Office has been to great
extent, if not entirely, suspended, TO the
| detriment Of the public service and to its
own embarrassment, and yet it is dallying
over deficiency appropriation, while the
public printing is suspended, and the pub
lie interest is suffering on that account, fol-
the paltry reason that II desires to capture
| the patronage connected Herewith. II
cannot. after this date, share the re-
sponsibility Of suspending the public print.
ing with any one else, for now it is all
backed up to its own door, The printing
will proceed when proper provision is made
for it, and il cannot legally before that is
done. No power but Congress can make
the needed appropriation, and until it dis,
charges that duty it cannot evade the full
responsibility of the delay. To ruin the
official and personal reputation of the Pub,
lie Printer will in no degree relieve Con,
gTess of this responsibility Or the public in
terest oflhe injury this needless delay is in
1cting upon it, II is time, therefore, tha
Senators and Representatives should close
their ears against the advice of contractors
adventures and jobbers, who arc in pur
suit of plunder and betake themselves Il
the legitimate work Of providing for tn,
public service