Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-27
Interests Of the State Fully Safeguard
belfast JoCrral.)

Democratic candidate TO- Governor eX-
pended some of his ammunition on the
State printer: but. as was the case with
his attacks upon Ottr.. branches of the
State government his charges We're
disprOved. and most cffectually as re-
CARDS the State printing. The Kenne-
bee Journal of Aug. 9th gave a full
and fair statement. based upon official
facts and figures. concerning this print
ing; and no fair minded man could
read it without being impressed with
the fact that the interests Of the STATE
we'll and faithfully done by the present
state Printer. Clarence 3. Burleish.
The stories OF excessive charges,
deficiency appropriations. etc, are de-
vised solely for political effect and have
no foundation in fat. The prices of
printing are the same as in 1882. not
understanding the increase in print Ars
wages and the shorter working hours
and are less than is paid by others for
the same class Of work. The apprOpri-
alton for printing has only been in
creased s.. 100 since 1865. while the in
crease in the amour: OF work called
for is far greater in proportion. Tha
facts relative to the cost Of printing
are published in the State Treasurer'y
reports and available to every citizen
Of Maine for the asking: and the audi
tor OF the printing is M. Stephen Berry
Of Portland, Grand Secretary of the
Grand Masonic Lodge of Maine, a prac-
teal printer of many years experience
and gentleman whose integrity no one
will question. To take the State print
ing away from Augusta would surely
enhance the cost and cause great in
convenience. The Kenrebec Journal
has been years in building up a plant
to do this work expeditiously and well,
and it includes the daily publication of
the official report of the proceedings of
the legislature in which all our people
are, or should be. interested. We be-
lieve that our legislators after giving
this matter the careful consideration
called for will decide that the re-elec-
ton Of the present State Printer will
be for the best interests of the State
Prices are Low and are Fixed by Law.
Piscataquis Observer).
In letter dated Dec. 16 F. B. Mich
OILS. publisher of the Bath Times, an
nounces himself as Il candidate for
State printer. a position now held by
Clarence B. Burleigh of Augusta, the
work being done by Burleigh & Flynt.
Mr. Nichols primary reason for
change is the great increase in the cost
OF State printing in the last % years,
but we fail to see how the State print
err is to blame for that for the follow
ing reasons:
In 1895 a law was enacted making the
State printer an elective officer. estab-
fishing the amount Of his bond, and
fixing the compensation he should re-
ceive for his work. This compensation
includes every detail in a job. the cost
Of stock. the cost of composition, the
cost of press work. in fact everything
that enters into a piece Of printing.
eve will say here that during the nine
years that have elapsed since that law
was enacted the cost of doing the work
has greatly increased. the day having
been reduced from ten hours to nine,
and the wages of the men employed
having been in many cases increased
% per cent. and mOre.)
\ AS We have said. this compensation
isNfixed by law and can be no more
than is specified by law. If the State
printer had disposition to over
charge he would be checked by the
auditor who is Stephen Berry Of Port
land. a practical printer, and a man
widely known for his answering in
tegrity. No bill of the State printers
is paid until a sample of each piece of
work bearing the items which make
up the cost Of the job is sent to Mr..
Berry. To this sample must be glued
the order for the blank, or whatever
the job may be and an acknowledge
ment by the official who ordered the
work that he has received it COM
pleted. Then, if every detail is salts.
factory. Mr.. Berry approves the biz
and 1t can be paid.
Now. in view of all these details,
why should the State printer be-