Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-06-25

the use Of statesmsn and newspaper
men, and it makes . handsome addi-
ton 10 the library of . gentleman. But
II Ave copies were daily given TO each
member of congress, instead of twenty
two, IL would be sufficient for the
statesmen: and IL they needed more to
send to the various people in their dis
tricts they could purchase and pay for
them out Of their own pockets
The present government printing Of
fee was not founded until 1861 when
Mr.. John ID. Defrees, OF Indiana, WAS
appointed tho public printer by Presi-
dent Lincoln. after congress had wor-
ried along with other less convenient
and satisfactory systems since the gov
eminent was established in 1889. For
many years the public printing was
done on n small scale, the house and
senate each aging for their own work
out of their appropriations for con-
tingant expenses" For about twenty
years prior to 1876 the senate and
house elected public printers who were
salaried officials. The duties Of these
officers were to make economical con-
tIo(tS anu auAAit 0ICOAnt6 vi Dawn
printing only IS was absolutely neces-
sary. In that year. 1896, when the an
nual expense of congressional printing
reached the enormous sum of S65. 900,
IL was decided to return to the original
contract system. Eut in 1881 the pub
lie printing cost f500. 900, and the ONCE
of superintendent of public printing"
was created by act Of congress. with .
salary Of 5000 per annum- Strange
as il may now appear. Horace Greeley
was an applicant for the position. and
so was Henry J. Raymond; both OF
them destined to become the leading
journalists Of their day. and one Of
them candidate for the presidency OF
the republic.
The law Of 1881. creating the Office of
public printer. is still In force. and nm
der the system then commenced the
government printing Office has grown
To the present proportions The salary,
which is - 500. is very small, and no
superior man could be induced to PC
ceet the Office but for the honor Of IL
position. The public printer gives
bond in the sum of sloo.0oe aud 10
obliged to abstain from any connection
with or interest In any printing. bind
ing. lithographing or engraving estab-
lishmcrt: 80 that the entire time, at
tention, ability and energy of the pub
lie printer must be given to the gov
ernment for $500 per annum. And
yet, the duties aud responsibilities of
the place require the services of q man
\ who Is possessed Of az much executive
ability as would be required Of the in
cumbent of a cabinet position.
The public printer must be man of
absolute incorruptibility and sterling
integrity IL he In not, he Is always in
danger Of misdirectiou: for the temp
tations OF the position are very great
The following story is Illustrative: 81
do not like that man. said Capt Mere
dith. chief OF the bureau OF engraving
and printing three years ago, as we
passed . prominent character on the
avenue. at was supposed early in SO
that would be appointed public prin-
ter. That man came IN me ard asked
to he appointed chief clerk Of the gov
eminent printing Office. saying he
would make me rich II gave him that
position. When asked how he could do
IL he said that. as chief clerk. he would
make all contracts for materials for
the Office, and that he would occasion
ally hand me an envelope with thon-
sand dollars in IL: and that I need not
ask any questions. lie had been in
troduced tn me only week before by
an ex-memher Of . cabinet. and | had
presumed that he was gentleman l
have never permitted him 10 speak to
me since that day"
The above Is a true story. II Illus
trstes pointedly and practically the
dangers Of the position. unless a man
is armed 50 strong in honesty Mat be
Is absolutely incompatible.
SMITH r. FEy.