STATIONERY FOR THE SENATE.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of the resolution pending at the adjournment last night, the question being on Mr. Brown's motion to reconsider the vote adopting Mr. White's resolution directing the State Librarian to furnish stationery for the use of the Senate.
Mr. BUNDY declared the State Librarian to be the person authorized by law to furnish stationery for the use of the General Assembly, and read Section 5,628 and other sections of the statutes of 1881, contending that the Bureau of Printing was required to attend to the printing, binding, etc. It has been the custom for the State Librarian to furnish the stationery for the General Assembly-last session on a resolution offered by the Senator from Allen [Mr. Bell]. The law and the precedent are both in favor of this resolution, and it ought to pass. He opposed the motion to reconsider.
Mr. BELL said it did not make a snap's difference with him who furnished the stationery, but the State has an outstanding contract made by Republican State officers, in which is included all sorts of paper, as well as engrossing paper such as is used here, inks, mucilage, etc., etc. This contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, and no doubt is at a price lower than the small quantity desired by the Senate can be now purchased. No person should be authorized to go outside and purchase for us in the face of this contract made with sworn officers of the State. The resolution should be framed so as to come under this contract in the proper and regular way.
The motion to reconsider was agreed by-yeas 25; nays 20.
Mr. BROWN moved to amend the resolution by striking out and inserting new matter requiring persons acting for the Senate to make requisitions on the Public Bureau of Printing, and all others will be unauthorized. He said he had not lost all confidence in some of the acts of the Republican party, and when it was in its full bloom and grandeur the popular representative branch of the Republican party adopted this very resolution. He proposed to accept this wise act sanctified by the act of the Republican party.
Mr. BUNDY moved, ineffectually-yeas, 20; nays 26-to lay this substitute on the table.
The substitute was agreed to and the resolution as amended, being read, was adopted without division.
And then the Senate adjourned till Monday at 10 o'clock a. m.
