Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-18
The vindicatfon Of the Public Printer.

the request of the Public Printer, pro-
viding for the appointment of joint
special committee ito consider the
general matter Of the State printing,
to ascertain i'm what ways, if any, the
present volume of State printing may
be reduced without detriment to- the
State interests, what changes. if any.
ere advisable in the existing law, what
prices should be paid for the work
uf,der existing conditions. and to report
by bill or otherwise"
This inquiry was desired by the
Public Printer
1. Because of some Incorporate
criticisms which had been made in
certain quarters for political effect
criticisms that were accompanied by
statements as false as they were ma
!cious.
.. Because the Public Printer was
conscious of the fact that in all his
dealings with the State he had fully
and faithfully fulfilled every require
ment of the statute law, and there
was no official act of his TO which he
could not confidently invite the inspec-
ton of the Legislature and Of the peo-
pie Of Maine.
1t was evident, therefore. that, so
| far as he was concerned. his protec-
ton against the calumnies of enemies
urged on by business jealousies ana
| former political differences lay first OF
all in an inquiry by special legis-
latiye committee which should fully
| ascertain and make public the faces
relative to the State printing. Such
a committee composed of honored
| members of tn Senate and House
was appointed in the early days
Of the present session. and has
given more time than has been de-
voted by any other committee to any
subject. to a thorough inquiry into the
question of the public printing. In it's
deliberations it has had benefits of
testimony from the Public Printer,
| from his partner who has had person.
| al charge of the work. from the State
auditor. Stephen Berry of Portland:
from the State Printer of MassaChu-
sets; the manager Of the Cambridge
Press: the secretary Of the New Hamp-
shire printing commission: from lead
ing practical printers Of Maine. and
from the heads of State departments.
| In the closing hearing of the session,
the gentleman in whose name the OPP
position to the printer has been con-
| ducted. stated to the committee that
after a winters investigation, he had
been unable to find anything wrong
with the printers conduct of his Of
/ Ii, a. ,nI at
gave the auditor, who had passed upon
all the work. clean bill Of health.
| The Journal aud the Public Printer
were willing to await i'll patience the
completion OF the testimony and the
report of the committee for that full
and complete vindication which they
were confident would be accorded them
nv members of the Legislature, and
by citizens generally who had kept an
intelligent run of the hearings.
While bwo or three publications pur-
sued a course of vlllification and mis-
representation. the great Republican
press Of Maine has been content to
await the completion Of the testimony
and the report of the committee before
Ipronouncing its verdict.
The report is published in full else
where in this issue, and so far as the
Journal is concerned is all entirely and
an emphatically satisfactory one. 1t is
a full and complete vindication of the
Public Printer and the manner in
which he has conducted the affairs Of
mis- Office under the provisions of the
statute law. 1t shows:
That So far as his vouchers, viz.
samples of work and department re-
ceipts are concerned, he has fulfilled
all the requirements of the statute law