454
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
First 100 copies, 64 pages, at 1½ cents per page, 96 cents per copy --------------------------------------------------------------$ 90.00 Second 100 copies, 64 pages at 1 cent per page, 64 cents per copy - --------------------------------------------------------------- 64.00 Third 100 copies, 64 pages, at 1 cent per page, 64 cents per copy ----------------------------------------------------------------- 64. 00 Fourth 100 copies, 64 pages, at ½ cent per page, 32 cents per copy ------------------------------------------------------------ 32.00 Fifth 100 copies, 64 pages, at l/3 cent per page, 211/3 cents per copy ----------------------------------------------------- 21.33 Total for five hundred copies____________________________________$277.33 According to the law the highest price that can be paid is: 500 copies, 64 pages, at % cent per page, 211/a cents per copy ____________ __ ___ _______$106.66 The contract therefore allows upon the pamphlet $107.67 more than the extreme limit of the law. The manifest inequality of this contract, is to be seen in the fact, that besides being in contravention of law, it allows for a smaller number a much greater price than for a large one. After the first five hundred copies, a quarter of a cent per page is allowed for all over that number, so that if the Legislature in a spirit of economy should order three hundred copies of the above reports, the cost would be $224.00 but if they ordered one thou- sand, the cost would be only $186.66. The law is clear and explicit, and declares that No bid sh(J,ll be acceptecl at a higher rate than one-third cent per page for five hundred copies; and although the law does not provide for a less number, the con- clusion is evident, that the Legislature did not intend that a contract should be made by which three hundred copies would cost more than one thousand. In the bond made by John Marshall, the follow_ing clause is to be found: "And whereas it is distinctly understood, that should more than five hundred copies of any report or document of any kind be required, (except by the laws, journals, bills and resolutions) that the first five hundred copies are to be charged for at the rate of one-third of a cent per page, and if less than five hundred copies be ordered, then each one hundred copies are to be charged for at the above specified rates."
Powered by FlippingBook