The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-16
AFTER THE STATE PRINTER.
PROPOSALS FOR The ABOLITIo,
OF THE OFFICE.
Two Measures Pending, One Pro-
vidinx for the work TO BE Done
by Contract. the other for the

Special Dispatch 70 the Observation-Disclosures.
OLYMPIA Feb. L.--Secon3 only per-
hap~ 10 the railroad bin IN point or m
ferest is the fight that is TO De Haged IN
the legislature over the various bills al
feeling the Office Of the state printer.
Chairman Minard. OF the house commit
tee on printing and supplies, has foFmu-
lated report Of the recent investigation
nlads by the committee, into the past and
present workings OF the Office in which
the rather startling statement appears
that under the management OF .. 4.
White, former state printer, the net profits
Of the office for eight years were $4,000
or fl0.7S per anDum. The committee
which vii! probably report tomorrow. Will
recommend the adjustment OF the office
OF state printer as now constituted and
the establishment of a state plant, under
the supervision Of Il state printer appoint
ed ny the governor and under salary OF
5000 per anntsn.
There are half dozen bills pending in
the legislature relative 10 the office OF state
printer y bill BY Calvert repeating the
law establishing a uniform system OF
blanks was passed by the house last week
and Is now before the senate 1t Is claim
- that under this law State Printer Hicks
has made great deal OF money. The for
ner state printer had no such a law to
work under, but according 20 his OWE
the rates paid for the printing of public
documents reports of state officers, ses-
sion laws, etc.
Brown Of Whateo.n introduced a bill to-
day abolisaing the office of state printer
and providing that all state printing shall
be done by contract In the senate a bill
By Davis Of Suohomish introduced today.
provides for the purchase by the state OF
a plant, not TO exceed Sl5.Qno IN cost, which
shall Be operated by Z superintendent IN
der the dirsotcion of the state printing
board, composed OF state officers, with the
governor as ex-officio chairman.
Which OF these measures viii survive Is
the question that members are asking
themselves. II Is plain that there VIII be
sharp contest between the friends of the
various measures for the future regulation
OF the state printing office. In the senate
there are certain fusion senator's who are
said 10 have political purposes 10 accom-
plish in the passage of such T. bill abolish
ing the Office of etate printer and creating
a supervisor of printing TO be appointed by
the governor Gov. Rogers in his mtssage
10 tho legislature denounces the present
system. and advocates a radical change.
He would Like to SEQ Mr.. Hicks ousted, 1t
Is said
In the house the desire OF the majority
is 10 see the vexing problem settled so as
to save the state from the heavy charges
IL has been subjected To In years past
Until the house committee on printing
and supplies reports a measure there will
be nothing definite before the house II
can be positively stated, however that
the house will pass a bill making radical
alterations ia tho present system, so as
to materially reduce the cost OF printing
10 the state and prevent undue profits
IN the future The house leaders are de-
termined To pursue this course. regard
less Of the attitude Of tho fusion majority
IN the senate