The Evening critic., 1882-02-06
NTorc rvus,c for Derrccs.

A CRITIC reporter called this morning upon q
prominent Republican momber OF tho House,
and after talking about the weather and other
interesting topics tho reporter addressed tho
mcmbor as follows;
Reporter. "You have been member Of tho
House long time, and are pretty woll posted
on public mattors what Is your opinion as to
the necessity OF n change In the orIlce Of Gov
crnment Prlnter?"
Member. "My opinion is that wo mood and
must havo change, II VIC would hayo that
office 1lled by IN ef1icicnt man."
II. "You arc generally willing to give a
reason for the faith that Is In you; why do you
think a change is noeded?"
NJ. "For the reason already stated-incfl-
cheney"
II. "May ask in what way?"
NJ. ain every way. To Illustrate; Whom Col.
you to understand TINT am and was no per-
sonal friend OF Clappl tho work of tho oi1lcc
was kept up. Irregularities and populations
wero then permitted to creep In and wore not
punished as they should have been. Still, tho
work was kept up. How Is 1t now. Tho agrl-
cultural report for 1880 ia Just now ready for
dellyery-more than year behind time. II tho
farmers of the country-tho great producing
class-had TO walt Defrees' motions In furnish.
ing them Information on matters OF import.
ancc, the country would starve TO death before
they could get line. SO far as the practical
benefits are concerned, we might almost as
woll abolish the bureau IL We must wait two
years to ind out what they have done and arc
proposing TO do"
n. .Are these the only reports that are dc.
layed?"
NJ. "By no means. 1t is only one OF tho
many. The latest Smithsonian Reports now
ready for distribution is for 1870, and tn 0
Educational Report for 1870 was Issued about
October last More than q year ago nn
order was made for an additional issue
of tho report on Transportation Routes to tho
Seaboard, report that had been previously
issued and the type OF which was still stand
ing. The superintendent OF the folding-room
Informs me that those reports hav0 not been
delivered yet. My recollection is very dis
tinct that we were mover subjected 10 such an
noying and inexcusable delays before. 1 am
unable to account for such universal delays
upon any other hypothesis than that 1t is
chargeable TO the ineiflclency of the head OF
department. We need change and must
have IT."
Thanking the gentleman for his franbness
the reporter said: "Good morning."
Later In the morning the reporter was nc
costed by one of the messengers Of the Senate
with the inquiry: "When are we going tC
have q new Public Printer?"
The reporter "gave 1t up" but asked
"Why do you inquirer
He replied: "Well, q few days ago specia
meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerct
was called, at which every member of thu
Senate was invited to be present. 1t becam
necessary to have special notices printed, ant
| was charged with that duty. could not &c
| 1t done at the Government Prinung-0fflce IL
| time, so (rather than appear derilect in m,
| duties) went TO private printing-oflice ant
had the notices printed, and paid for the worl
| out of my own pocket i think It is an out
| rage that poor messenger has to be taxed &.
| for old Defrees' inefllciency."