The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-01


information as to discharges made by him.
The Public Printer makes a statement in
regsrd TO these discharges, justifylng and
explaining them, defends the administra-
ton of his office and empbatically denies
the charge that the Congressional work OF
the office is largely in arrears. He calls
attention to the fact that during the forty
five days Of the Fiftieth Congress the print
ing ordered by Congress had increased
forty per cent. over that ordered during
q similar period of the Forty.ninth Con-
gress, but states that the work has been
promptly handled with a working force of
500 less employees than were on the rolls OF
the office at the beginning of the Forty
ninth Congress.
Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee, regarded
the letter as conclusive and satisfactory
reply to every criticism made against the
printing office. The Public Printer would,
he said, court every inquiry into the work
ings of his office, and it would develope
the fact that with smaller force he had
performed more work than had ever been
done by any of his predecessors. He Rich.
ardsoD) denied the assertion that the Pub
lie Printer was not furnishing reports and
bills as rapidly as they had ever before
been furnished. He praised tbs reforms
which, he said, Mr. Benedict had inaugur-
ated, and ss an instance of these reforms,
stated that that gentleman bought printers
ink at "a cents pound, whereas his pre-
decessor had paid 60 cents pound.
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, as a frisnd OF
the last Public Printer, inquired whether
the inks were Of the same quality.
Mr.. Richardson replied by quoting from
report of the present Public Printer
stating that the ink purchased by him did
better work than that used by his prede-
cessor.
Mr.. Cannon protested against an assault
made upon dead man by an official who
was assiouously blowing his own horn.
Dir. Cutcheon (Michigan) said that be
was the author Of the resolution to which
the letter read was an answer. He had
been impelled TO draw Up the resolution
by the story OF soldier who had besn dis.
charged, with sixty others,
from the printing Office in the
middle OF winter, without cause, ST time,
too, when the printing ordered by Congress
was grestly in arrears. Several Democrats
inquired the name Of the solCier to whom
MIR. Cutcheon referred but that gentleman
declined TO reveal it at present. Mr.. Clutch.
eon said that the Poolic Printers letter
gave il formation about everything except
Whist Cor eress wanted information upon.
He (Cutoheon) did not care how much
more paper he had used, or anything about
the price of ink, but just now be would
llEc 70 kuOH IL Tue IUDltC IGlLtbI soleCN51
the middle OF January to turn these work
iIgmen and women into the street, in
order that he might pat q climax 10 the
proceedings OF the Honse in refusing to in
vestigate the claims OF ToT kingmsn who
was contesting seat in the House.
Mr.. Henderson, Of iowa, declared his
utter disbelief in the statement of the Pdb-
lie Printer that there were more Union
soldiers employed al the printing office TO-
dsy than had ever been employed at any
previous period. He denounced the state
ment as false. A lady had come 70 him at
bis hotel. Laughter on The Democratic
side.l Gentlemen might sheer il they de-
sired because the widow Of dead comrade
visited him. A lsdy called upon him
geEtlemen on the other side might not be
able to make that statement-and told him
she WAS The widow OF a dead soldier With
two children. One, q young lady, accom-
parted her mother. DID the gentlemen
wish &c sneeT again The son, 8 young man,
bsd been an employee Of the printing Office,
but he'd beeu dropped from the rolls, and
his place filed from the great fountain OF
Democratic NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., - lsIgh-
teri by one the nimble fingers o. lhe Dem.
ocTatio leader of Maryland.
Mr.. Compton, of Maryland, inquired the
name of the discharged employe.
Mr.. Henderson declined TO give it. but
declared that names would be given If an
investigation of the printing Office was
ordered. The young lady had been en-
ployed in the Treasury Department, but
had been discharged about the same time
IS her brother. The gentleman who dis
charged her told her that she had no
recommendation but her efficiency which
was undisputed, and that her place " 6
wanted for q man who could help ths
Democratic party. Those two children, ths
support of their mother, were left with
out means of support in the dead Of
winter; and he stood here proclaiming
that it was not in the power Of himself or
any Republican representative OF the pso-
pie to secure the pettieSt plSce IN Wa3h-
ington, even to save the widow or children
of a dead Union soldier from starvation.
Mr. Davidson, of Florida-We will make
a contribution before they shall starve.
Mr.. Henderson, am not surprised
that sneeYs should follow my declaration.
1t may be tri1lpg matter tor the gentle
man, bat they are Sfacts Eich are sink
ing into the hearts OF the people.
Mr.. Davidson-It is a matter of import
ence TO me when the gentleman states
that woman lie starving, and l repeat
that before she starves contribution will
be made.
Mr.. HepCerson--I have no doubt that
from starvation, but your party stan ds
like citadel where no Republican can
get the pettiest Office for a Union TidOw,
even if She would be dying of starvation.
That is your reform.
After further debate Mr.. Cutcheon of.
fered a resolution for the appointment of 8
SPIT cisl committee to investigate the pres
ent administration OF the printing office.
Mr.. Springer, OF Illinois, offered SIS Ia SUBJ
stitute a resolution instructing the Com
mittee on Printing, with the addition of
two members, one from each side of the
House, to investigate the admins ration
| of the printing Office during the incum-
bency OF the present Public Printer and
| that of his predecessor.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, suggested that the
| Investigation of 8 man who is dead could
hardly help members to get their docu-
ments quicker and he appealed to Mr..
Springer not to make partisan thing out
OF the inquiry.
Mr.. Springer denied that there was any
| thing partisan in his resolution. He
wanted to institute comparison between q
work of the printing Office under the pres
ent administration and under that of the
former Public Printar.
The substitute offered by Mr.. Springer
| was then agreed to.
Mr.. Hatch, OF Missouri, called up the
bill making provisions for agricultural ex'
pertinent stations, and on his motion the
| Senate amendments (merely formally were
concUrTed in.
Mr.. Breckenridge, OF Arkansas, intro.
duced and had referred to the Ways and
| Means Committee the Hewitt administra-
| tive tariff bill.