Mr. LAFLIN. I am nearly convinced that if the gentfrom Pennsylvania understood the amount of work that is before the ComPrintg he would not interpose an objection of this character at this time. If the ComPrintg had availed itself of the privilege which was conceded to many committees of this House it would have had a clerk during the last session; and it is because that committee has been endeavoring to prosecute its work without a clerk, and because it is now so overwhelmed with business that it is perfectly impossible for it to transact that business without some outside assistance that it asks the House to allow it this clerk. In this connection I desire to call the attention of the House to the fact that the House has passed a resolution requiring the ComPrintg to inquire into all contracts connected with the furnishing of paper to the Government, and.";do not desire to claim for the committee any special credit, I may say in their behalf that the examinations they have made for themselves, without the assistance of any clerk, required a long and tedious investigation, and have resulted in a conclusion which will save the Government at least $40,000, by providing for a reduction of the weight of the paper upon which the public documents are to be printed. There are subjects which require much care and attention, and I do not.it very immodest when a committee so burdened ask, even at this late hour of the session, for the services of a clerk. Again, gentlemen of the House will remember that they have referred to us numerous resolutions touching the publication of No committee can report to the House on such a subject without care fully deciding what they propose to do. If it cannot be demonstrated to the House that it will be for the interest of the Government of the U.S. to discontinue their reports we do not propose so to report. But if it shall be found by the committee that such a course will be for the interest of the Government, we want the facts upon which we base our opinion to be recorded so that the House may act intelligently thereon. Again. it has already been proposed to reorganize the whole printing dept, involving a thorough and radical change in the administration of that dept; and I submit to any gentleman connected with any committee if it would be in the power of any committee to give such careful and considerate examination to stich subjects without aid Again, yesterday the chairman of the ComJudiciary had referred to the ComPrintg a bill which will require them to make an examination into the manner in which the laws, treaties, and proclamations made and issued since the year 1861 are to be published in the States lately in rebellion, a subject which will require much investigation. I might go on and mention instance after in stance, but I believe I have already said enough to convince the House that the ComPrintg is entitled to a clerk.