The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-31

working force of 800 less employees than were on
the rolls Of the Office at beginning of the Forty
ninth Congress.
Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee, regarded the
letter conclusive and satisfactory reply to
every criticism made against the printing Office.
The Public Printer would. he said, court every
inquiry into the workings of his Office and it
would develop the fact that with a Smaller force
he had performed more work than had been
done by any of his predecessors. He tRichard-
son denied the assertion that the Public Printer
was not furnishing reports and bills as rapidly
as they had ever before been furnished. He
praised the reforms which, he said, Mr.. Bene-
dict had inauguratsd, and, as an instance OF
these reforms, stated that that gentleman
bought printers ink at "a cents pound, where
as his predecessor had paid 90 cents q pound.
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois. n friend of the last
ublic Printer, inquired whether the inks were
of the same quality.
Mr.. Richardson replied by quoting from a re-
port of the present public printer, stating that
the ink purchased by him did better work than
that used by mis- predecessor.
Mr.. Cannon protested against an assault being
made upon dead man by an official who was
asslduously blowing his own horn.
Mr. Cutcheon. of Michigan. said that he was
the author or the resolution to which the letter
draw up the resolution by the story of soldier
who had been discharged, with sixty others,
from the printine-offi in the middle of winter,
without cause; at time. too. when the printing
ordered BIZ Congress was greatly IN arrears
Several Democrats inquired the name or the
soldier to whom Mr.. Cutcheon referred. out that
gentleman declined to reveal 1t at present.
Mr.. Cuteheon said that the Public Printers
letter gave information about everything except
what Congress wanted information upon. He
Mr.. Cutcheonl did not care how much more pa
per he had used. anything about the price of
ink, but Just now be would like to know If the
Public Printer selected the middle of January to
turn these working men and women into the
street. in order that be might put climax to
the proceedings of the House in refusing to in
vestigate the claims of workingman who was
contesting seat in the House.
0f TNU daaIo to-
disbelief in the statement of the Public Printer
that there were Union soldiers employed
at the Printing Office to-day than had ever been
employed at any previous period. He denounced
the statement false. lady had come to
him at his hotel. Laughter on the Democratic
side. Gentlemen might sheer if they desired
because the widow of dead comrade visited
him. lady called upon him-eentlemen 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 young
lady, accompanied her mother-did the gantle-
men wish to sheer aeainY The son. young
man. had been employe of the printing Of
fee, but had been dropped from the rolls, and
his place filed from the great fountain of Demo-
cratic cials-Baltmore-by one of the
nimble fingers of the Democratic leader of
Maryland.
Mr.. Compton, OF Maryland, inquired the name
of the discharged employe
Mr. Henderson declined to give it, but de-
clared that names would be given if an investi.
CATION of the printing Office was ordered. Tire
young lady had been employed in the Treasury
Department, but had been discharged about the
same time as her brother. The gentleman who dis
charged her told her that she had no recon-
mendation but her efficiency. which was undis-
puted, and that her place was wanted for a man
who could help the Democratic party. Those
two children, the support of their mother. were
left without means of support in the dead of
winter; and he stood here proclaming that it
was not in the power of himself or any Repub-
lican representative OF the people to secure the
pettiest place in WashiB gton, even to save the
widow or children of dead Union soldier from
starvation.
Mr.. Davidsou OF Florida-We will make con-
tribution before they shall starve
Mr.. Henderson, am not surprised that sneers
should follow my declaration. It may be a
triiing matter for the gentlemen, but they
facts which are sinking into the hearts Of the
people.
Mr.. Davidson-It is matter of Importance to
me, when the gentleman states that woman is
starving, aud repeat that before she starves q
contribution will be made.
Hr Henderson-I have doubt the gentle
man would chip in to save her from starvation,
but your party stands like citadel whore no
Republican can get the pettiest Office for a Union
widow, even if she should be dying of starva-
ton. That is your reform.
After further debate Mr.. Cutcheon offered
resolution for the appointment of special COM
nttee to investigate the present administration
Of the printing office.
Mr.. Springer of Illinois, offered as substi-
tute. resolution instructing the committee on
printing, with the addition of two bers, one
from each side of the House, to investigate the
of the printing Office during the
lncum bency of the present Public Printer and
that of his predecessor.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, suggested that the in
vestieatiou of a man who is dead could hardly
help members TO get their documents quicker,
and he appealed to Mr.. Springer not to make a
partisan thing out of the inquiry.
MIR. Springer denied that there was anything
partisan in his resolution He wanted to insti-
tute comparison between the work of the
printing office under the present administration
and under that of the 70 rmer Pub lie Printer.
The substitute offered by Mr.. Springer was
then agreed to.
Mr.. Hatch, of Missouri called up the bill. MAX
ing provision for agricultural Experiment sta
lions, and on his motion the Senate amend
ments merely formally were concurred in.
Mr.. Breckenridge, of Arkansas, introduced
and had referred to the ways and means com
mittee. the Hewitt administrative tariff bill.
The House then adjourned.