Mr. LAFLIN. In view of the suggestion of the gentlemen from Illinois it is perhapspropor that I should make an explanation. The members of the ComPrintg are as anxious as any members of this oune to do all credit to the character of this report. They agree that it is a most important and interesting report; yet they feel that, in reference to this subject of public printing. they have a duty to perform which they cannot neglect. It is time that we should enter upon a system of retrenchment; and anxious as we are to pay a compliment both to the subject and the author of this report, we feel that we cannot, at this time, too much study economy. We have investigated this subject, and we have found that, in o bring this resolution calling for 20,000,000 copies, we exceed by 100%. any demand on the part of the House or the printing of any document of a similar character during the past 4 years. I may state also that, as appears from a statement of the Superintendent of Public Printing, every copy oi this reart will cost, without covers, 7 cents, an with covers, ten cents. We would have been very glad to report in favor of even the very large number which the cutlenian from Illinois [Sin WASHBLRXE] at. 1st proposed 250,000, which would have involved an expense of nearly $25,000if the state of our finances would have crmitted it; but, sir, when we bear in mind that, in no Dept of the public service have our expenses increased so rapidly, and in the judgment of many with so little reason, as in the Dept of public printing, we think it high time for us to stop and consider whether it is not possible to in augurate a more economical system. Let me say to members of the House that they may preare themselves to find the Superintendent of ublic Printing, when he shall submit his report, making an extra requisition of over $600,000; and the House may have reason to be gratified if the expenditures for iublic printing during the past year have not can nearer $2,000,000 than $1,500,000. Now, sir, if we intend to enter upon a system of retrenchment, let us begin at the very start. Here is a document, the interest and importunce of which I am willing to acline wle (2; but by consenting to print so large a number a has been proposed, which is 5 times the number of copies of any similar document ever printed by the House, we should inaugurate a precedent which, I know, would be urged With power and effect, not only upon the committee, but upon the House, during the whole session. In some way we must economize in our expend itures for public printing. This resolution, even in the shape submitted by the committee, provides for an exeuditure 100 or cent. greater than ormer expenditures in similar cases. We have this document without covers because covers cost 3 cents a iece. Now, I submit to the House whether, wi this state of facts, it becomes us in this early period of the session to inaugurate a system which, if carried out to the end of the session, will increase our public printing from $1,500,000 to over $3,000,000. I demand the previous question.