the conclusion that the interest of the state demands a re-organiza-
tion of the Board of Commissioners, and that some suitable per-
son bc^ appointed to proceed to the villa^ of Jackson to audit
and' settle the accounts of said Commissioner. The committee
have likewise taken an * stimale of work done, the materials on
h.mJ, and from data in their possession, will be enabled in a short
time, to give their views as to the probable amount of appropri-
ation it will be for the interest of the state to make the eBsuing
seaaon.
AH of which is respectfully submitted.
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HOUSE DOOUHBNTB.
(No. 4?0
Report of the majority and minority of the Commit-
tee on Printing, in relation to the bill making ap-
propriations to John S. Bagg, State Printer*
REPORT OF THE MAJORITY.
The committee oo printings to whom was referred the bill
making appropriation for John S. Bagg, state printer, &c.» with
an amendment by the Senate, through their chairman respectfuUy
report:
That having endeavored to ^ive the subject an impartial and
thorough, investigaiion, in whicTi numerous witnesses and affida-
vits have been examined, they have come to the conclusion* that«
in the opinion of your committee, the amendment of the Senate
ought not io be concurred in by this House, and that the sweep*
ing pro))osition of that amendment, to strike twenty per cent from
the whole bill, would do great injustice to the Jtate Printer.
Among the witnesses and affidavits examined by your com-
mittee, are all the principal printers and book-binders in ihe city.
Relative to the printing, there was but little, if any, discrepancy
in the testimony. They concurred in stating that the prices
charged for press work and composition are in accordance with
the established and customary prices for such work in this city,
and no more than a reasonable compensation.
Mr. Bagg^s prices for binding were sustained by the affidavits
of the foreman and workmen in his bindery, by the testimony of
Mr. Burger, a gentleman who has for many years carried on the
business of binding, and by the statements of other respectable
fentlemen acquainted with the business. Their opinions were
ased upon a knowledge of the cost of materials, expense of la-
bor, and all the circumstances attending the same, ana concur in
opinion that, all things considered, the prices were as low as could
be afforded and make a reasonable profit There were other gen-
tlemen examined as witnesses, no doubt of equal respectability,
who are or have formerlv been book-bindera, who were of a dif-
ferent opinion, particularly relative to the binding of the revised
statutes. It was the belief of these gentlemen, that the charges
for that work, (viz : $1 25 per volume,) were too hi^h — that it
could have been afforded for from 80 cents to 91 00 per volume
— and one witness said that he had proposed to do the work for
60 per volume.
In consequence, therefore, of the discrepancy in the testimony
relative to the binding of the revised statutes^ your comaiittee *
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«1f HOUSE DOOtJMBNTa
are of opinion that some deduction should be made from that
item.
It is but justice to Mr. Ba^, to state, that from an examina-
tion of his original bills for paper, ft appears that he has by mis-
take done himself injustice in his charge for that article, and that
instead of making a profit of from 20 to 25 per cent, as it was in
testimony that he ought to beallowed, he has, in fact, charged
very little, if any, more than cost and charges. Your commit]ee»
therefore, would not propose so much deduction from the item of
binding as they would otherwise have done. They would, there-
fore, recommend a deduction of twi />«r cent from the amoont for
binding the revised statutes, and to amend the amendmeDt of the
Senate accordingly.
Kespectfully submitted.
J. S. LIVERMORE,
Chainmm.
REPORT OF THE MINORITY.
The minority of the oonuaittee on printing, to whom was ie>
forred the bill making an appropriation for the State Printer, widi
ap amendment thereto by the Senate, respectfully reoommeod a
Qoncurrence with the amendment of the Seoato.
After a careful examination of all the testimony elicited both
from the state printer and from practical printers and bool^biiMt
era, residents of this city, the minority are of opimon, that
75 cents per volume, for binding of tlie Revised Statutes*
fiO do do for biadiog of the Journals and Docuoimits
of the Senate and House of Representatives,
25 cents per volume, for binding of the Session Laws of 1B88,
5 dollars per ream for the paper for the Revised Statutes*
4^ do do do for the Session Laws of 1838,
4 do do for all other pap^r charged in the bill of the
State Printer, is all that he is entitled to in justice, for those
items in his bill. The following statement will exhibit the dii-
ferenoe betweea the charges of the State Printor and what the
minority of the comouttee are of the opinioD should be aUowod
hwu
Bkkdmg 7,000 ReriMd Statntw, 9S^oi
1,300 Joarnal* nd DocoiMts, 780 00
3,37$ SlfflsioQ Uws of 1838. 1,125 00
75 do do 1838, (in calf;) 93 75
AUowad.
$5,950 00
650 00
843 75
50 S9
DiffVr«DC9.
$»,500 00
UDOO
9aiS5
S7 50
810 imjm ptpei; ti,860 00
136 NanM paper, 680 00
H050 00
643 50
544 00
fsiooo
143 00
nsoo
— ^ 1,08000
Mftking • diflWenee 9tt Madiog aad jtesp^r, of
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HOUSB DOCUMBNTS. 671
If the piindiig ci the Revised Statutee and the fl ee ri o a Laws
of 1888, be reduced to 62^ eenU per 1000 m's aod per token, a .
further deduction of 9721 12 must be made, making in the whole,
to be deducted oo priotiog, binding and paper, the sum of #5,*
740 87.
To present in full, all of the testimony taken by the committee^
wottM fiur exceed the limits the minority of the coouiiittee think
it necessary to give to this report ; they will, therefore, eoDfiaa
themselves to an abstract of the most essential parts. The testi-
Diooy of Messrs. Aymar, Shaw and Rood, all practical book*
binders, acquainted with the cost of stock and labor, and eompe*
tent to make an estimate of the same, oooclusivdy proved, that
the actual cost of labor and stock in the binding of the Revised
Statutes, could not exceed forty-five cents per volume. Mr* Rood
gave to the committee a statement specifying the several items of
stock and labor, with their cost, for the binding of such a work,
which did not exceed that sum. Mr. Shaw testified, that he as-
sisted in bindbg the Revised Statutes of New York, and that the
oust of binding the same, was to the state, 75 cents per volume;
that the Statutes of New York were larger than those of thk
state, and bound in calf, while those of this state were bound ill
sheep. That it wouM cost 14 cents more per volume to bind m-
calf than in sheep.
Messrs. Ayinar and Shaw both testified, that the charge for
binding a work similar to the Revised Statutes, in Albiuiy or
New York, would not exoeed fifty cents per vdume, and that an
advance of twenty*five or thirty cents per vcJuroe, would abun*
dantly remunerate for all diflerenoe of cost between these cities
and this place. Mr. Rood testified, that he made proposals to the
Secretary of State, to do the binding of the Revised Statutes for
sixtv cents per volume* Messrs. Aymar, Shaw and Whitney,
dealers in paper, and well acquainted with the price of the same
in this place, during the past year, testifieil, that five dollars per
ream, for the paper for the Revised Statutes, and four dollars and
four and a half dollars per ream for the paper for the Journals
and Session Laws of eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, was all
that the same were worth in this city. The State Printer himself
admitted, that the paper for the Revised Statutes cost but four
dollars per ream, at the mills. The minority of the committee
have beiwi informed from a source well entitled to their credence,
that the cost of transportation of paper similar to that used in the
Revised Statutes, is from three to four shillings per ream, allowii^
the latter sum, five dollars per ream, will, according to the State
Printer's own admission, afford a profit of fifty cents per ream,
which, if the quantity used, and that a profit is made in the
printing and binding of the same, are taken into consideration,
affords to the State Printer a large profit The minority of the
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im HOUSE DOCUBiENTfiL
oomoiittee cannot pass uoooticed one very iiogolar item, exhibited
by the State Printer in evidence^ to sustain his charges for paper»
viz:
''Discount on loss of exchange on Michigan money, at twentjr
Er cent, $996 14 cts f thus, diarging the state near tljOOO for
» of exchange of money in the payment for paper, though no
evidence was adduced to show that this money was received from
the state, or if received from the state, that he was forced to re-
ceive such depreciated money, or none.
Mr. Ladd, the foreman in the printing office of Mr. Whitney,
testified that sixty-two and a half cents per thousand ems and per
token, wouM amply remunerate the state printer for the printing
of the Revised Statutes and the Session Laws of 1888. Mr.
Ladd also testified that under the territorial government, be had
done printing for the legislative council, that his charges were 50
cents per 1000 ems and per token, anl that an advance of 25 per
cent on those prices, would suffice to make up all tlie difierence
between the cost of printing at that period and the present time.
As this bill will doubtless undergo a severe scrn.iny before the
House, the minority of the committee forbear to analyze certain
discrepancies in documents exhibited to sustain the chan^ of the
state printer. In conclusion, they would say, that from the fore-
going evidence, and much ether received by the committee, they
are inevitably forced to the conclusion, that a concurrence with
the amendment of the Senate, viz : a deduction of twenty per cent
from the bill of the state printer, while it will be bat an act of jua-
tioe to the people whose representatives they are, will at the same
time, leave an ample compensation to the state printer for all ser-
vices rendered.
N. ROWLAND,
JOHN LOWRY,
TRUE P. TUCKER.
DOCUMENTS.
Testimony had before the committee on printing in the Hinue of
RepresentatixieSf in regard to the account of John S. Bagg.for
state printings ^. in addition to the testimony laid before the
Senate.
Verbal testimony before the oommitteet taken down by Mr. Htrnf-
com^ Clerk of the House.
Mr. Shaw says he is a practical book-binder and printer ; says
that the Revised Statutes could be bound at about 80 cents per
vol. ; that would afford a fair profit. A book of the same kind»
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HOUSS DOCUMfiNTS. 67S
bound in the sanw inaQiier» would be worth SQcents in Kew York
or Aibeny. The pressing of the sheets is no port of the binding*
Thinks that an edition of 7,000 copies could be got up-^that is,
printing materials furnished, and bound and all eomplele for about
per voUime. Paper such as is in the Revised Statutes is
worth 94 50 or 94 58 — that will afibrd a fair profit. Says that
the nniterials and labor for binding a volume like the Revised
Statutes would be aboot 45 cts. Does not carry on the business
of binding in this city. . The spring back will nmke a diffsrence
of some two or three cents per copy. The usual rule is, get-
ting double {or press*work what is paid the printer. Thinks the
binding of the Session Laws would be about 18 cents per copy,
(such copy as exhibited.) The paper for the book would be
worth about td 50.
The New York Revised Statates was bound for the contraet-
ofs ; 1>000 copies at their office ; the coniraclors got 75 cents for
binding, about 7 years agn. The work was let by contract, I be*
lieve. The difference ^tween sheep and calf would be about
one-third. Has never carried on the business of printing or bind-
ing in this city. Knows nothing practically about it as to this city.
Says he has not carried on the binding or printing about six years
since. He judges by what the present prices are in New York.
Did not carry on business during the suspension of specie pay-
ments ; does not know about the embarrassments of doin^ busi-
ness at that time. A fair profit on the paper would b^ about 20
per cent ; printers calculate 432 sheets to a ream, as usually
reckoned ; the outside quires are looked upon as waste. Thinks
a man ought to make a profit on binding of • Sheep would
cost 8, calf 24.
ilfn Aymar says he is a practical book-binder. The Revised
Statutes, he thinks, could be bound in New York for 50 cts, that
isk an edition of 7,000. Does not carry on the business here.
Thinks they could be bound here at about 80 cts ; thinks 80 cents
difiference between this place and New- York would be ampfe.
Labor and materials for binding would be about 40 cents ; prob-
ably would not vary 5 cents, rressing and folding of the sneets
18 no part of book binding. Deals in paper in this city; thinks
that the paper could be bought for 83 00 in New York ; thinks
from $4 50 per ream ; intends to make about a dollar per ream
on paper ; doubts whether at the price of t4 50 per ream, it
would afford a dollar's profit. Thinks Session Laws, (exhibited)
could be bound here from 20 to 22 cents ; i. e. an edition of 8,400
*^that would give a good profit
Has never carried on the business of book-binding in this city.
Thinks that the other session laws exhibited would be worth from
38 to 40 cents per volumj&**would be done in New York less.
83
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BU H0U8B DOdTMBNTS*
Tlid paper for the tame would be worth cboiit 94 50 by the
quantity; !• e. they sbouid sell at about that prioe. The diflerenee
in Revised Statutes for spring back would be about 3 cents i a
Uir per centaj^e would be about 90 per cent clear of all expeiir
aes. Carries on binding book and btank works in New York; does
his work by apprentices and journeymen. Prinoipal part of tbm
l^ing in his establishment is binding blank tx)oks« Mr. BiHrgor
of this city was a ^partner of his in New York ; not in the bode*
biodir^ business : only in seHing books. A person should make m
profit on mechanical business the same as nn any other branoh
of business. Hare t)een in the book and paper aeUin^ about six
months in this city, is customary to char^re (or blank leaivs
same as theu^ printed. Never did dny binding of th^ deacripf
tion of the Revised Statutes in so large a quantity^-uaually mboot
IfiOO of an edition. Says that if compelled to do suck a piece of
work in a very short tinne, it would cost him more than to have .
the osual time allowed. Can not say how long an ordinary book
establishment would be in getting ^ a work like the Reviiwl
Statutes.
S. L> Hood is a practical book-binder, (/arries on business ip
this place. Has worked in the city of New York, For bind-
ing a work like the Revised Statutes would be 3 or 4 shillings pof
copy, an editbn of 7,000 copies. Tb^ cost oflabor and nia(enala
la this place would be about 45 or 46 cents, actual co3t. He
made a calculation about a year ago ; then supposed that the work
was going to be let by contract. It defKinds on the market in ^
measure at the time of the execution of the work. Thinks iq
this place 75 cents would be a fair price — no mechanic would
think of getting or asking more. He proposed to make the con-
tract at 60 cents per copy, but now he was saUsfied he sIkhiM not
have been willing to have done d»e work less than 70 cents : tlM
difierence of a spring back is some 2 or 8 cents. Has dealt in
paper in this city : thinks that the paper for tho Revised Statulea
cd^kl have been bought in the state of New York for three dA
krs, three and a half* and possibly four dollars per ream. Fddbg
sheets is no part of booh binding.
.In relation to the pamphlet [laws] exhibited*— in binding asi
edition of 8^400 copies, couM be bound at about 35 or 30 centa )
for the other pamphlets, ( joumab,] sbooM charge 59 cents ; that
was what he did charge when he had a like contract of the slale.
They were stitched when he took them. Thinks be had rather
taken them in the quire and folded than to have had as it waa.
Thinks that the paper is worth here some $4 or $4 60, of such
a quality as exhibited. Have carried on business in New York.
Has worked at Harper's in 1881. Worked in New York a jreaa.
Has been in the business here since Nov. 1884« Waa ia i
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HOUSE DOGUM£NTa e?!
MUiy^ with StcrweH befbre tfatt titm io this pbcesoine tit moHHii
Has now ooly tRvra bands in hkr emplcy m book-bindtftg. ill
iMiai oases* of castomers, he charges six ahfllmgs, if be bvn& only
tne eapVi (like the Jocrrnals ;) ifhe has 20 copies, does k for five
tbiilioifs'; the olher pamphlet, (like the Session Laws,) about foot
shriliags. The Uit of prices is the same for old works ; iboie
prices have nothing to do with jobs of importance, where ihe
Mtttomnt was two^ four, or five hundred dollars. That bHI of pri^
oea was made oat ia 18d4 or 5, and governs binding establish^
metits^ In bmding in sheep, a book of 4 or 500 pages, the price
wouM be a little dffTorent, about one or two cents. Mr. Keed
wni Mr. Booth some acquainted With book-binding. Thinks Mn
Booth an exoelkefnt workman. DonTt think Reed knows much
aboutr Mr. Burger did oarrV on bosinessr a while here, but ii^
Bot a practical Ijook-bnider. Tiiere is a great difference in bind**
Jig a mrge or a small edition ; there is a difference of betweeti
80 er 40 per cent between 1 or IfOOO or more. He bound for
Ae state the statutes, 1893 ; he bound 100 copies Or more, and
ehtrged 88^ cents per vohime ; did the work as a job sent in.
It was done in 1884, when every thing was very high. For
binding a copy like the pamphlet of '37 and *8, in calf, he might
chnrge a dollar, if done nicely. He made a proposition to the
Secretary of State for the binding the Revised Statutes ; don't
recollect the time, thinks it was 1837 : made a calculation at that
time; supposed it would be in one volume, and between 6 or 800
pages. Has not been in the habit of charging the state as much,
w^n he had a quantity of work, as he charges individuals by
Innall amount. He had a contract for folding and stitching, (vol.
3 ;) had 6^ cents for folding and stitching, for the state ; used just
such stock as they had on hand. It would be as profitable to
bind the Revised Statutes at 60 cents, as to bind an old book of
the same size at 100. The difference between toking oflfthe glue
and folding would be about 2 cents. Thinks a fair per centa|^
on printing paper, is from 10 to 20 per cent.
Rood calculates the actual amount of labor and stock, $3,207.
The actual cost of binding is about 40 or 45 cents.
J. M. Burger is acquainted with Ite printing and binding bu^
mes# - lMit8 l^en for some sitteen years — has been in this ekf
ibr four years.
The current prioea for a copy of such a pamphlet as journflhr
fef binding, was 7& cents oite title, and 25 cents addition fctr an
eKtra title, (a» Senate docunumts.) The price of such a V(Jumtt
m the htW9 of 1886 and '87, is 50 cents* Such were th^ remiltfr
4baT|9es of the binders in the town. Has never seeil any of the
IM of work like the Revised Statutes bound here, marked on" tto
Wl of ftiodm, Should Mak that^ in ordioaETy good limes; a do)^
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876 HOUSE DOCUMENTS.
Itr would be a fair prices but ooosideritig the times when the work
was got out» should thiak that twenty-five cents addilioQ would be
liuie enough. He refers to any quantity. His binders were d^
fer in the habit of charging less for a large quantity than a snMil
ene. The work of binding such a lot of works as the laws, do*
Cttmeots and Revised Statutes, including the whole, could ooC be
done less than a small work. Thinks that an old work can be
done, that is, bound, cheapchr than you can prepare the sheets aad
fold and bind a new work. His 'ouitiion is, that 92 50 is a low
Gice ibr such a work as the Revised Statutes. Knows that in
ew York, no law book is got up for the same price, immate-
rial how large the volume. Was, at one time, proprietor of the
Post ; had two prices when he was selling paper ; to book sellen
be charged twenty*five cents profit, and retailed for fifty cents;
thinks the profits should be twenty-five per cent on the paper oif
the revised statutes. Is not a practical printer or book-binder, but
has been in the business. Had occasion to make remittances to
New York during the suspension of specie payments ; paid as
high as twenty-five per cent for exchange ; the usual rates wene
fifteen cents.
Mr. Ladd is a practical printer in this city ; foreman in the
Advertiser office. Has a knowledge of the prices established in
(his city intended for the current business of the place. A prin-
ter's token is one side of a sheet, and a publisher's both ; price
seventy-five cents for a publisher's token ; thinks if a printer had
a large job he would vary from them. It is not considered, in
printing and publishing, that there is any extra charge for drying
and pressing. Thinks it could be made profitable to the publisher
to deviate from the established prices in printing 7,000 of a book
Hke the Revised Statutes ; thinks it could be done for 62j cents per
thousand m's, per token, double, tl 25 or f 1 30. Knows noth-
mg of binding. Knows little as to the cost of paper. These pri-
ces weje established in 1836. The intention was to have the
prices such as they could make a fair price of it, although it gener-
ally interfered with their other bi'siness. The price of printing
was then, for journeymen, $7 00 per week ; it is now #9 00.
In the Advertiser office they have not varied from the rate of
fMTiees established in 1836 ; if a job was left, he should char]pe
those prices ; if bound to get out, an extra price might be requtr-
od, provided there was not sufficient time allowed without con-
venience ; if obliged to make alteratbns in consequence of the
negiigenoe of the writer or revisers, he should expect pay for it,
eii:tra. Has done nothing but pamphlets in Jiis office since the
establishment of the present prices ; no book work. The current
yJb work of an office b more profitable than pamphlet or book
work at the established prices. Should think the Revised Statutes
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HOUSB DOOUMSNT& 677
tt good feaFs job. The advanoe to piiUislffini is gaoeraUy don*
ble the price paid to jouroeymeD* Has done prioting in the office
for the state ; the price 50 cents M* and tl 00 a token ; thinks
there is a difference of 25 per cent in the price then and now.
Thinks that there has been an increase of embarrassments since
1682. They pay higher (or journeymen and one penny mot« par
thousand.
Betgftmm Kmgsburu^^We made some proposals from oar of-
fice for printing the Ke vised Statutes, or some pamphlets; be-
lieves it was 50 cents per thousand m's ; don't recollect the details
of the proposition. Is not a practical printer ; thinks it was made
by Daily ; thinks the proposition originated with Gantt ; thinks
very likely one of the objects might have been made with a view
to get below the proposals of Advertiser office ; thinks the pro-
posal was no less than the office could do it.
Wyllyt Smyth is a practical printer, has been for some vears.
Has examined the Revised Statutes ; from his knowledge of
printing in this place, he thinks a work like the Revised Statutes
could te printed for the same as other work, in conformity to th^
prices ; there is a regular rule of prices established fur book work»
same as stated by other witnesses. Taking everv thing into ooo-
sideration, thinks the present price is correct, it a person should
nome into our office and leave a job, should make a bill in pur*
suanoe of the regular prices ; should feel bound to do so, in order
to do justice to his employer. That scale of prices is a fair one^
as be thinks. In doing printing for the legislature, there is, as a
matter of course, a gnod deal of night and Sunday work, for
which we have to pay an extra price. It is understood in most
plaoes, and has been here, that, when printers work unusual hours,
tbey pay an extra price.
The object of pressing, &c., is to make a fine wcMrk for the cre«
dit of the establishment. It does not belong to the printing ; for
so large a work as the Revised Statutes, there would be a good
deal of work in pressing, &c.
George L. Whiiney^ nDom^^Made a proposal for printing the
Revised Statutes, at fifty-two cents per thousand m's, and one