. WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1860
455
It will be seen that the proviso only applies when more than five hundred copies are ordered, leaving the bill in full force with 1·espect to that number 01· less. It forms no part of the bid, and does not relieve its apparent inconsistency with the law. Nothing of this character is to be found in the proposal made by John Marshall. The next clause of the proposal is equally exceptionable, viz: "I will print the bills in pica type (section 3 in printing act, Approved Nov. 29, '59,) or its equivalent, at two and a half cents per page for the first hundred copies, and two and a quarter cents per page for each additional hundred." A reference to the section of law quoted above, will show the limit to be: "for printing two hurulrecl copies of bills, resolutions, or memori,als, printed on pica type the lines nu1nbered on the 11w,rgin, with the space between the lines of the size of pica, and cm foolscap pape1·, with four pages to a sheet, the sum, of tw0i dollars and fifty cents per page for the number of pages irz, O?l-6 copy thereof." By the above "bid" two hundred copies of a bill or resolution of four pages would cost as follows: First 100 copies, 4 pages, at 2½ cents per page, 10 cents per copy ------------------------------------------------ _ _$10.00 Second hundred copies, 4 pages, at 21/4 cents per page, 9 cents per copy ------------------------------------------------ 9.00 Total for two hundred copies______________________________.$19.00 Whereas, the highest price the law would allow for two hundred copies, 4 pages in length would be________________________$10.00 It requires no argument to show that this is a clear infraction of law. Nor is the bid less so with reference to the printing of reports and documents ordered by the Legislature. A reference to the bill presented by the Public Printer for printing the two hundred copies of the report of the State Geol- ogist, ordered to be delivered to the State Department, will show that the terms set forth in the "bid" are there sustained. The interest of the people of the State at large, demands that this contract, so directly contravening the law, be cancelled. The Executive is sworn to see the laws faithfully executed. If the Government is a farce, and the law of no abiding force, he might be excused for not calling the attention of the representa-
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