Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1892-06-02
1rG,s,,,TIyE ExrRAvAGANCE.


In order to economic in dollars and
cents. and at the same time forever re-
move an apple of discord from the
legislative function. n law was passed
in 1890 letting the public printing to
the lowest bidder. Last fall the public
printing, after competitive bidding,
was awarded to the incumbent, he
being the lowest bidder; and the State
was startled 10y the announcement that
the award was made upon a basis of
fifty per cent. less than the price here
tofore paid Figures carry their own
comment. The State press rejoiced
and the tax payer was glad.
For the year 1890. under the elective
system, $4,000 were appropriated for
the public printer, and for 1891. 5000,
total of S2O.5OO Now for the strange
sequel. If competition under the new
law letting this work to the lowest bid
der had reduced its cost" one half,
why did the Legislature appropriate
$1,000 when 510,250 would have been
sufficient for 1928? The object of
the change was to squeeze some of the
corpulence out of the public printing
job: and the LEADER is unwilling to be-
lieve that the Legislature knowingly
appropriated $1,000 more than seems
to be necessary to pay for the printing.
Fortunately there is line in the 'ap-
preparation bill requiring the approx
al by the Governor of all printing ac-
counts. which, with Governor Stone.
insures scrutiny and not mere per-
functOry endorsement. as in the past,
involving legislative investigation,
threatened suits. arbitration and the
final paying back of overcharges run
ming into the thousands, to say moth
ing of unsettled disputes, and crimina-
tons and determinations as to other
moneys alleged to have been improper
ly collected and yet due the State. This
is wise prOviso. and with the fearless,
honest man who sits in the executive
chair, will not prove a dead letter Be-
sides, there is an additional safe guard
III chapter 20, section 16, Laws 1890,
Public Printing Act as follows: "All
printing done under this Act shall on
its completion be delivered to the Sec
rotary of State, who shall carefully
examine whether the same has been
done in accordance with the specif1ca-
tions and bids for the same, and if he
finds the same to have been properly
executed, according to the contract, he
shall give the contractor certificate
specifying that the work has been done
according to the contract and the
amount due therefor, on which certifi-
cate the Auditor shall issue his warrant
on the Treasury for the amount stated
to be due"
This is we'll as far as it goes, yet it is
pity that there is not lawful com
mission of competent, conscientious
persons to approve orders for necessary
printing. There is no doubt but that
the States interest would be more
surely subserved. Under the old radi-
cal regime it was charged that useless
printing was given out just to consume
extravagant> appropriations.
Over and above this ST, 200 appropri-
ated for public printing, SIT, 800 were
appropriated for the printing of the
Code; not to speak of separate item
for stationery for the several State de-
partments, making in all in the neigh
borhood of $4,000. This is an i'm
portant matter to the taxpayers.
Money saved is money made.