Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-30
THE PUBLIC PRINTER cRIrlcsxED
Minority Report ON the GOvera0ent
Printing Office Invesstgasiou.

HI 4 PUBLIC PHbNIE0 Uni thSsAEH
Minority Report ON the GOvern0en'
Printing office Invesstgasioa.
Representative GaIiinger has completed his MI
norty report upon the result OF the investigated
Of the printing committee into the administration
of the Government Printing once. The report h
very long and bitterly critical OF Public Printer
Benedict and the majority OF the committee
charges that tho majority suppressed important
evidence which would reout the charge that the
late Public Printer Rounds had privately sold Gov
eminent presses at r1diculoIsly small prices.
ra Inc report Is summarized as follows: Inc nh
nnding In their report Nothing was developed ~
the evidence 10 warrant the majority in ethel
approving the administration OF Nj. Benedict
Our conclusions are:
i. The present administration of the Govern
ment PRINTING once Is marked by tncompetency
and partsanship, and the condition OF the work is
81 as 70 Justify grave apprehension on the part
2 The treatment of Union soldiers. the widows
ana orphans OF soldiers skilled and competent
mechanicS and other employees OF the ONCE, by
and OF itself Is sufl1cient TO warrant his summary
removal Tue Claim OF the Pubic Printer and the
majority OF the committee that more soldiers and
IN the Government Printing once than formerly
Is not sustained by the proof ON the contrary,
sne evidence shows that in making uI
men who never left their desks during the war and
some who did service 10 the army OF the Confeder.
acy, while ne made utterly erroneous statements
concerning the number employed by Mr.. Rounds
which statements were conclusively disproved by
officers OF the Grand Army. Gross violations, on
his part, OF section 1854 or the Revised Statutes
were also abundanty proved.
g. FOR the first time In the history OF the Govern
meht frintlng ONCE that vast workshop has been
charged solely because they were republicans, and
Others appointed solely because they were demo
4. The violations OF the c,ytl-seryice act nave
been hagrant and notorious Not only does the
evidence show that the Public Printer lent his
signed to the Of tne coun
the collection and disbursement Of cam
cents to $50 both the letter ana the Spirit Of the
act were disregarded The testimony proves thai
not only did subordinates engage In this work, but
That foremen, assistant foremen, and the Public
Printer himself received money for democratic
campaign funds and forwarded it to its destina
ton.
8. Not only is incompetency Justly chargeaols
against the present Public Printer, but the evt
oence shows want OF moral tone on the par'
OF himself ana some OF his officials that de.
serves the severest condemnation. In his yea
10 olacken the character and soil the memory
OF his predecessor In ONCE methods employed
and testimony introduced that plainly showed q
reckless disregard OF facts, an absence OF honor
able and high-minded motives and total dis
regard OF the esprit de corps which has heretofo.s
official positions.
g. The evidence Ia overwhelming that Mr.. Bene.
dict has endeavored, by false figures and Incorrect
country Not only has he done TINS as regards the
larger affairs OF the office, but has even de.
scended to the petty trick Of claiming &c
reports utterly disprove. And this attempted i'm
position, much OF which has been thoroughly ex-
posed In this report, has been given as sworn
evidence. Either Mr.. Benedict does not com.
prehed the solmenity or an oath or he
Is utterly ignorant OF many OF the matters con-
corning which he gave testimony - =.
2. Tue evidence shows that rank favoritfSm l.
practiced In the matter OF awarding contracts by
the present Public Printer. careful examination
Of the testimony will show q condition OF things
highly discredltabls to that R'' ofnciai. and
which should receive the attention Of
committees usually are. II contracts are TO be
given TO the highest bidders and the onicials who
pass upon the supplies are TO Junket WITH contrac-
tors at the expense OF the latter, then certainly
condition OF things exists which may well excite
alarm In the minds OF all honest men.
&. The present incumbent did not possess the
practical knowledge required oy the statue when
he assumed charge OF the Government Printing
ONCE and there is nothing In the administra.
ton OF the office since which justines the belief
and successfully direct its affairs. No fact was
developed In the investigation to show tuat Tn. T.
Benedict possesses, In any appreciabe degree, the
successor OF those masters OF the 'art preserva-
tive, John d. Defrees. Cornelius wendell, Almor
M. Clapp, and S.erling p. Rounds
8. Notwithstanding the majority OF the commit
tee condemn Mr.. Rounds In hitter terms the Jesti
mony will lie found not TO warrant their ACCUSE.
lions. In life he was an honorable, conscientious
and upright man, and left behind him
record OF good deeds which should have
| shielded him from such attacks his man
agement OF the Government Printing Onct
was marked by consummaJe ability, great breadth
OF view, and rare integrity He bought the of1ic,
up TO state OF great efficiency. doubling
nj IN Sfyfl "a s-va nd nv
perienced mind are due most OF tie improve
ments that his successor Is now Claiming. THAI
MI. Rounds made mistakes Is douuteSs true, but
II Will require more than the findings OF partisan
committee to convict him either of intentional
wrong, corrupt motives or dishonest acts.
To- Enough gross violations or law and evidence:
OF incompetency are shown by the testimony u(
warrant the immediate removal from Office OF tn
z. Benedict, Public Printer.