The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-23
STATE PRINTING AGAIN.

There are facts connected with the
State printing that should be known
to the public.
The Joint committee on printing
was instructed by the Democratic
caucus to let out the contract to the
lowest responsible bidder, keeping in
view at all times the interest of the
State.
This committee stated that no bids
from newspaper editors would be en-
tertained, that it was the purpose of
the committee to deal direct with the
person who could do the work and
would do it at fair price.
The committee contracted direct
with Edwards & Broughton, and E.
NJ. Uzzell and the contract was signed
by these gentlemen.
1t was supposed that the matter was
settled, and that nothing remained for
he committee to do but report to the
caucus that it had carried out instruc-
tons.
A caucus was called to receive such
report. What was done?
The name of the editor of a news
paper was substituted for the the
names of gentlemen named in the
contract.
We do not know how this was
brought about. We have evidence as
TO how it was done.
We are informed that private and
secret caucus was held, by certain par
ties in the secret, at which the plan of
action, developed in the regular eau
Gus, was agreed upon.
We do know that none but the
trusted knew of the existence of pur-
pose to nullify what was generally
understood to have been decided, and
acted upon to the extent of having
been reduced to writing.
Now, why this secrecy? Why
should anyone move in the dark who
is not afraid of the light?
Is the joint committee on printing
willing to occupy the position in which
it has been placed by an imposition
practised upon a Democratic caucus?
Can it afford to say that bids are
not to be entertained from editors,
and then silently submit to virtually
contracting and signing a contract
with an editor?
We know the members of the Joint
committee. They are gentlemen, they
are our personal friends, and we have
the highest regard for them, but no
Democratic member of the General
Assembly can consistently leave the
capital for his home, duped by piece
of sharp practice, instigated by a
piltering spirit.
The evidence before the committee
showed that with fifteen cents de-
Quoted, in favor of the State, from the
price at which the printing was now
done, would leave margin sufficient
only for living wages.
If this evidence was true, then there
is no room for middle man to sub
let the contract. And if there is still
room for such a character, the COM
mittee has been grossly imposed upon,
and there is no honest NAL who will
deny it.
1t would not be true to say /. + tt
Chronicle was acting the ''dog il the
manger." Far from it.
We have ever advocated the reLuc-
ton of the printing to the "lowest
living price," and this is we'll known,
refusing at all times to be candidate,
except it had been determined to rec
ognize some newspaper at the capital
for party services.
The Chronicle is content to 20 out
to the people of North Carolina on its
merits, conceiving it to be one of its
highest duties to point out systematic
attempts to plumber the treasury of the
State under the guise of low hypoc-
racy.
Let the subject be uprooted and
settled once for all time.
Everybody is tired of it.-State
Chronicle.