The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-10-07
AT PUBLIC EXPENSE
The NATIONAL COMMITTEES ARE
SENDING OUT LITERATURE.
All Parties Equal Offenders. The Gov.
eminent Is Forced to Pay Cam
paign Expenses. Tons of
Literature Sent
Out.

% 1917 4" wiz NC uoWS 10 Llo TAX
payers of the country to learn that under
cover of law the government is being
forced to pay the campaign expenses of
the various national committees in send
ing out literature from party headquar-
ters.
The public printer has been obliged to
purchase 100000 envelopes, to buy
two presses and to order third to meet
the demand made upon his Office by SEN
atols and representatives who are abus-
ing the privilege of the free use of the
mails granted by law for the distribution
OF their speeches to heir constituents.
The respective national committees.
being hard up, have Influenced several
senators and representatives to g ,ently
order over 100000 envelopes apiece,
Not only is the goVernm ent made to fur
nish the envelopes free, but the printed
frank of the senator or representative
carries them free through the mails.
A{reporter saw Public Printer Bene-
dict and asked him about the matter.
WHAT BENEDICT SAYS.
II do not know the Details" he said,
S0O oO hAOW ludU nave U06D IO1C6O
to buy over 10000, 900 envelopes so far
this summer, and from the demands that
are coming in judge that before the
campaign is over shall need probably
100, 100000 or more envelope on which
! to print the franks of congressman so
that they may send them through the
mails free.
II have bought two new presses and
must get third. These presses will be
practically ust less in the office after the
rush is over. am compelled by law to
| do this, and it is not for me to discuss
the matter further. The orders of some
of the congressman already amount to
over / Zoo, 900 envelopes each, and, under
| the law, any one of them can order 40
100000, or 100,O0O,000 There is no
limit. | should have to furnish and
print them just as am doing"
| Mr.. Benedict said that the change in
the statutes which made this state of
affairs possible was due to the insertion
of two words which were run into the
public printing laws in the short session
of the fifty-third congress. These Two
words were without cost"
QUANTITY NOT STIPULATED.
The law prior to this enactment pro-
vided for the supplying of envelopes to
congressman beyond stipulated quaint
ty at an advance OF 10 per cen on the
purchase price and cost of printing.
This held the orders of the senators and
representatives within bounds.
The 100000 900 envelopes already or
dered have cost approximately $780,
| 000
AS the campaign of education has just
begun, and any congressman may order
| 1000, 100000 ranked envelopes if he
chooses, it is impossible to estimate
what the total expenditure for the joO
will be.
The republican congressional commit
tee is especially active in sending out
campaign matter at present. Chairman
Babcock said that $4,000 documents
were lnailed daily from his headquarters.
The public is under the impression
that the expense is being paid by the
committee.
1t is said that quantities of the free
government envelopes are being shipped
to every state, district and county COM
mlttee in the union for mailing or cam
paign literature without cost to the II.
cal committee for postage or covering.