Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1900-12-19
A MILLION DOLLAR JOB.
GLynchburg News.]

Hon. Peter j. Otey, our Represents
tive, has introduced resolution TO tee
printing of fifteen thousand copies OF
the val liable compilation by Con gress-
man Richardson OF the "Messages OF
the P esiden's." We understand that
these copies ate to be supplied to libra
ries, public and private, at cost, which
the Public Printer states will be ST for
the ten volumes.
The proposition of Congressman Oiey
isa right one. This completion is OF
great value to those who study our in
stitutions and political story and
should be made generally and easily
accessible. Patriotism is stimulated
aud craftsmanship promoted by reading
the important utterances of our chief
magistrates on the great Issues that
have from time to time called forth
their regular or special messages, and
distinct and valuable light is thrown
on our national development by these
state rapers.
The action proposed Is made neces7
sary by the unfortunate results OF a
resolution passed by Congress some
years ago with purpose to compensate
MIR. Richardson for the extra labor and
expense he had devoted to the work OF
compilation. This resolution turned
over to Mr.. Richardson the plates, after
some nine thousand copies had been
D inted by the government for free
distribution. It seems that Repre-
sentative Richardson sold the plates to
parties who undertook the publishing
and sale OF the books. The methods OF
these publishers excited widespread
dissatisfaction and complaint. They
obtained charter as "The Bureau OF
National Art and Literature" and by
ingeuiously worded circulars and other
advertisements have posed as the gov
eminent medium, if not the actual
agency, for the distribution "at nom
inal rrice-but trife more than cost
of manufacture and distribution" The
| company was "Bureau." "Requests"
| were to be addressed to Hon. A. Il.
Spoford, General Secretary, Of the
"Committee" on Distribution, depart
ment H." and checks were to be made
payable to Mr.. Hamilton, assistant
Treasurer.
Within the past ten days many
Lynchburg citizens have received the
following letter
Bureau of National Literature and Art,
chartered.
Washington, D. O.,
December 5, 1900,
Dear Sir, 1 am directed to inform
you that your name has been selected
by this Bureau and Mr.. A. A. Ashburn
has Leen assigned to cali upon you and
state how, on certain conditions, you
may secure the most practical of all
government compilations.
The opportunity being limited is a
valuable one, which assume yon will
appreciate.
am yours respectfully,
G. N. PORTER,
Chief Clerk.
Upon calling, the agent presents a
sealed and rlbboned letter of authority
and instruction. The party was cal
loted" set Number -. He was 10 be
called on but once, and if he did not
take the st he was asked to sign
"waiver" that another might have the
privilege. To this city. the agent
asserted, 20 sets were assigned; to the
whole country fifty-one thousand. The
end of all this machinery of pretence
was that the victim should pay 1874 for
the volumes, with express charges
added.
Mr.. Otey's proposition fer the gov
eminent to print from its plates, for
tuuately it still has the original plates,
at actual cost, 81, instead of the
"trife MORE" $34, will justly rebuke
the exploiters who have been seeking
10 pocket over million OF dollars profit
on the $1,000 GETS they claim to have
printed from electrotyped government
plates that cost them perhaps $4,000.
Public documents of this character
should never he placed under private
control. The policy advocated by
Congressman Otey is right. Let the
government meet the popular demand
for such publications by selling copies
at cost to all who wish them.
This duck paid us visit, but we did
not bite.-ED. GAzHTTE.
LTukn u 4