The Globe-republican., 1893-07-21
the subject 6

proposition. however, was finally re-
jected. II carried it would have re-
suited in the practical waste OF $4,000
per annum.
The common people of the country
are not interested in the excessive pub
LEGATION of the Congressional Record
1t is very fine thing to have, bound
and indexed at the public expense for
the use of statesman and newspaper
men. and il makes a handsome addl-
ton to the library of a gentleman. But
if five copies were daily given to each
member of congress. instead OF twenty
two. it would be sufficient for the
statesmen: and if 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 fs61 when
Mr.. John d. Defrees, of Indiana. was
appointed the 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 1859. Fol-
many years the public printing was
done on a small scale, the house and
senate each paying for their own work
out of their appropriations for con-
tingent expenses" For about twenty
years prior to 1915 the senate and
mouse elected public printers who were
salaried officials. The duties of these
n
tracts and audit accounts for such
printing only as was absolutely neces-
sary. In that year, 1916. when the an
nual expense of congressional printing
reached the enormous sum OF $4,000
il was decided to return to the original
contract system. But in 1851 the pub
lie printing cost $500. 900. and the office
of superintendent of public printing
was created by act of congress, with
salary of $1,000 per annum. Strange
as it 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 o.
them candidate for the presidency OF
the republic
The law of 1861. creating the office o.
public printer, is still in force, and un
der the system then commenced the
government printing Office has grown
to the present proportions The salary
/ which is $500, is very small. and NJ
| superior man could be induced to &C
cept the Office but for the honor of the
I
bond in the sum of 100000 and L
| obliged to abstain from any connection
with or interest in any printing, bind
| ing, lithographing or engraving estab
lishment: so that the entire time, at
tention, ability and energy of the pub
| lie printer must be given to the gov
eminent for $500 per annum- AM
vet. the duties and responsibilities o
the place require the services OF mai
who is possessed of as much executive
ability as would be required of the in
cumbent of cabinet position
The public. printer must be man
absolute incorruptibility and sterlin,
integrity. If he is not. he is always IL
danger of instruction: for the temp
tations of the position are very great
The following story is illustrative:
do not like that man." said Capt. Mere
dith. chief of the bureau of engraving
and printing three years ago. as W.
passed prominent character on tn
avenue. 1T was supposed early in 5
that would be appointed public prir
ter. That man came to me and aske'
to be appointed chief clerk OF the gov
eminent printing office. saying n
would make me rich if l gave him tina
position. When asked how he could d
It. he said that. as chief clerk. he woui
make ALL contracts for materials 10
the Office. and that he would occasion
ally hand me an envelope with thou
sand dollars in it; and that need no
ask any questions lie had been L
troduced to me only week before b
an ex-nember of a cabinet and l ha
presumed that he was gentleman
have never permitted him to speak I
me since that day."
The above is true story. 1t iuu.
trates pointedly and practically tn
dangers of the position, unless ma
| Is armed so strong in honesty that b
|. b absolutely incorruptible-
SAITH d. EEY.