Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-11
THE PUBLIC PRINTER.
An Investigation Likely-Ar. Benedict in
no Hurry to Vacate.

WASHINGTON, May 10.-Frank Palmer,
public printer, has made his bond sooner
than most officials who are required to
give large security. Today the snreties
were accepted. One of the sureties is said
| to be worth several millions. and two have
| real estate in the city of Washington of
| much greater value than the amount of
| their bond. Mr.. Palmer has also received
his commission and his bond being ap-
proved he is prepared TO enter upon the
| duties of the office of public printer.
But the Office does not happen to be va
cant. Even the friends of Mr.. Benedict
were surprised that he had not rendered
his resignation. He announced publicly
on the day of the appointment of Dir.
Palmer, that he should make haste to find
his successor, and tenderto him his COM
miseration, and that he had made ar
| rangements to leave to enter into business
| in New York state, and the change would
be welcome to him. But Mr.. Benedict
neither found time to see Mr.. Palmer (al.
though scores of officeseekers discovered
bis .whereabouts), nor did Mr.. Benedict
seek the opportunity to send his letter of
resignation to the president
1t had not been supposed that Mr.. Bene-
dict would wait to be removed. But such
is the fact No resignation having been
this afternoon, formal papers of dismissal
were made out and sent to him. So that
when the nomination of Mr.. Palmer shall
be sent to the senate, it will be read to
succeed Mr.. Benedict. removed.H
But there will be no difficulty in secur-
ing confirmation for Mr.. Palmer, notwith-
standing the removal Benedict himself
was confirmed with great difficulty, and
his administration of the Office has not
been such as to secure him friends in con-
gress: In fact, if the statements made by
members of the senate COM
mittee on printing are to be
relied on, it is possible that
there will be an investigation by the next
senate into the affairs of the government
printing Office. 1t is known that the pres
ident was induced to take the action he
did in appointing public printer because
OF representations made to him by MEM
Der of the senate committee on printing.
These recommendations were TO the eff
feet that the season for letting annual
contracts is at hand, and that it is expedi-
cnt that the administration shall be repre-
sented IN this important office by its own
officer. The committee on printing will
probably recommend to the next congress
an enlargement of the existing law as to
the letting of contracts after
advertisement. At present there
are considerable amounts of ma
terial which the public printer
does not buy under contract after adver-
tisement. Some of the members of the
committee on printing are of opinion that
the public printer is given too large
margin in this respect. There appears to
be an impression on the part of those who
deal in materials that the public printer
has some discretion. At all events it will
probably be surprise to some in congress
to know that, pending the contest for the
a Irlfn MT ha
of a manufacturer Of ink approached one
who was not appointed, but who, it was
then reported. might be appointed, and in
effect rendered him commission of 25 per
cent on all ink that might be bought for
the government printing office.