National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-09-21
A Successful Public omoer.

AS the Hon. s. p. Rounds has Just COM
pleted the most successful record ever vet
made by any public printer, and has
brought the Office to point Of efficiency
and popularity which 1t never had before
reached, 1t is just and proper that some of
. the definite facts in this administration
should be reviewed. He steps out Of the
Office OF his own free will just as he was put
into 1t without his personal application. At
the time that the press of the west and
northwest almost unanimously and without
distinction OF party urged him for the place,
he was at tho head OF an extensive type
foundry and supply depot for printing
material established by him in Chicago in
1850, which had been steadily enlarged un.
til its trade extended into almost every city
and village from the great lakes TO the
Pacific. 1t was during this period that he
established an acquaintance and association
with the newspapers of the great west
closer than that possessed by any other man.
These were the men-many OF whom he
had held business relations with for quar-
ter OF century-who urged him for public
printer, and 1t was the natural pride which
he felt In his profession which induced him
to consent and make the campaign for the
position. He had worked himself up from
printers devil, and in the "art preserya-
tive OF all arts" the position OF public
printer is regarded much MS the chief jus
ticeship of the United States is among law
yers. His were the only papers to Presl-
dent Garfield which were indorsed by Gen.
Grant, and the selection had been definitely
made, but the assassination took place be-
fore the commission was issued and, subse-
quently, President Arthur carried out Gar
fields unfulfled purpose
When he entered the Office II was badly
demoralized. predecessor, Mr.. Defrees,
had been In falling health for years, aud
had been unable to give the department the
attention 1t demanded, and Mr.. Rounds's
first duty was to bring some order out OF
the chaos which had resulted. Here his
large experience in every branch OF the
business developed It's value, and from
the date Of his entrance upon his duties un.
til his REIMBURSEMENT OF them he devoted
his entire time to the work OF raising II.
standard. How he succeeded will alwayl
be notable page in the history OF the office
1t felt almost instantly the influence of O
strong, practical guiding hand, and gained
immediate recognition as one OF the
best.handled branches OF the govern
ment. The vast improvement com
manded the attention OF both par
ties In Congress and, when change o
administration took place In 1885, he hat
quite as many friends among the Democrat
as among the Republicans. The Joint com
mittee on printing In both houses Joined II
urging his retention by the President, lire
spective Of politics, and when no retired h
did so on his own motion to take charge o
a well-knOwn Republican paper which h
had purchased.
During his term OF Office he disbursed
over $19 100000. Some appreciation OF thu
accounting system in the department ma,
be obtained from the fact that the closes
scrutiny Of both the Republican and Dem
ocratic administrations has failed to show
the payment Of dollar of this immens
rum which was not made according to law
There have been no blunders, clerical o.
otherwise. Not Il single voucher or ac
count has ever been suspended or found II
error. The record is perfect.
In the personal details he was quite a.
loyal to his duty. lie set good exampl,