The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-08-26
is out of Joint in two important particu-


and then submit some evidence il
support of my statement. The bill under
discussion was introduced in the House il
the beginning of the session. IL passed
that body, came 10 the Senate, was referred
to the committee on printing-of which
was not a member-and after being duly
considered BY said committee, was on the
18th day OF March, reported to the Senate,
Said bill was not "smothered in commit
tee" but was reported farorGbly, but with
certain amendments, which the committee
thought were necessary TO protect the state
from excessive charges, which they
thought the bill would permit. As soon
as the bill was so reported, was applied TO
by its friends to assist in getting action on
the same But the friends of the bill de-
sired to defeat the amendments recommend
ed by the committee, alleging that the adop-
ton thereof would defeat the bill, by rea
son of the delay il would Cc:asion in the
House In view of the fact that said bill
provided for the election of public print
er by the legislature, which was largely
democratic, IL was we'll understood that the
republicans in the Senate would oppose its
passage; and for the further reason that the
democratic party, having full power in the
premises, would properly be held response
bic for the character of our legislation, il
was deemed the most prudent thing TO have
a caucus OF the democratic members of the
Senate To consider said bill in connection
with the views of the committee on print
ing, by which il had been examined and
reported on. In said caucus, the commit.
tee on printing presented their views fully,
and insisted upon the adoption of the
amendments reported bv them to the Sen
ate, and at least two others, one affecting
the provision relating To the printing OF
blank books, blank forms, ETC., and the
other, reducing the rate of compensation
provided for some classes of work Wht q the
had been heard, il was evident 10
my mind that large majority of those
present were opposed TO the bill as il came
from the House; and in the interest of It's
friends, ! requested that il be permitted to
lie over, not To be called up in the Senate,
by anybody, until We had further oppCrtu-
nifty for considering il In caucus; and
stated that / desired to send for Mr.. Rus
sell, who as a practical printer would
probably be able to explain away the OBJ
jections which had been M ide to the bill /;
and stated further, that if he could not, /
would neither ask the caucus 10 support
the bill, or support il myself The next
/ sent for Major Edwards and
the nature of the objections Of
fered; and requested him to send for Mr..
Russell. The next day Mr.. Russell came,
and after being advised of the situation of
affairs, my recollection is very distinct that
he Insisted on irving to force a vote on the
original bill. / explained to him the
nature of the agreement under which the
subject had been laid over in caucus, al
nv request, and in his interest; and that
could not call Up the bill 4,
that time; but that / would try TO get
caucus called for that night, which tried
TO do, but faile'.
That same evening. as / was advised
Mr.. Russell went home and the next day
Major Edwards advised me TO try TO ge;
The caucus called together, and accept the
OF the committee, il they were
thought necessary 10 protect the interests
Of the state. tried to get the caucus to-
yether again; but the Jefferson City
edited by McHerry, who
was a friend Of the bill-had begun abus-
ing the printing committee and me. about
Dur supposed conspiracy 10 defeat said
he senator's together, TO consider il fur
her.
Now, few words as 10 why / supported
he bill. During that session land il has
been the rnle Tor several years., that, for
want of press facilities, the public printer
vas, frequently fUo reeks behind, in the
printing of our bills, and business was
thereby seriously delayed, TO the g.eat
damage of the states interests. 1t was con-
ended, with much force, by the friends OF
he public printer system, that If the work
vas all done by one party, who
knew he would have il all TO
10. it would JUSTIFY him
n investing In sufficient materisl and
to enable the states work to be
lone we'll, and promptly; while under the
present system-no one knowing Tor what
,mount of work his bid would be accepted
could afford to keep on hand, the stock
If printing presses, material, etc, neces-
;ary TO the prompt execution of the work
which he might get a contract to do. Then.
osing assured, repeatedly, by the friends OF
said bill, that, under its provisions, the
cost of the printing would not Be increased To-
ks state, i felt favorable To TIE measure
Beyond this, Mr. Russell, Mr. McHenry,
Major Edwards and others-aIl of whom
were then personal friends Of mine--felt an
interest in the matter, and was DESTROYS
Of serving them, so far as could with
proper regard for my official duly. / did
Tor them, all that / could properly dc, to
secure for the bill favorable consideration :;
and il its character was such that il was
not acceptable to the. committee, or the
Senate, il was no fault of niue.
In support of the truth OF my tate
ments, herewith submit the letters of
Senators Hesslou, Cot,ey and McMa-
han, and Major John n. Edwards
then editor of the Sedalis Dem
ocrst). Again expressing my sincere re-
grets that should be obliged to make this
but appealing to the sense of
instice of every honest man, to sustain me
in the position that it is clearly my right,
and plainly my duty to do so, ] submit the
matter TO the impartial judgment of the
public. Very Respectfully,
-, Jso.. I. HEARD.