Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-08-28

" Nv IL iOoS. uAG3 tOI cAdIJUlcs tiiE UlSt
resolution OF the committee, which de-
clares that the postmaster general has Dor
Iowed money on the credit of the United
States, without any authority of law. The
honorable chairman says, he admits the
truth of this charge. Admits it? But why
does he content himself with admitting it!
Does he not regard it as gross violation
OF duty? Does he not think it an alarming
thing, that the postmaster genera! should
borrow half million Of dollars, in order
to cover up the DEFICIENCIES of the depart
ment, and that he should keep this loan
concealed, for years, from the knowledge
of congress? AS the head of a committee
charged to inquire into abuses, and this
enormous abuse having been discovered,
can the honorable member Justify himself
by simply saying he admits its existence?
Has he no reproof. no word Of censure for
such fragrant violation of law? Has he
no Misrepresentation TO express, no complaint
TO enter, in such tones as that the admins
lration shall hear them? No man denies
the TACT, and none undertakes to defend it..
What then? Is the department still to go
on In lis career, and nothing to be done,
any more than if nothing nd been cscov
cred? If there were nothing else in the
whole report, if that charge stood alone, |
cannot conceive how any man can doubt
that the department ought to be Immediate
ly and thoroughly reformed. The coun-
Try, II 1 mistake not, will call for such ref
ormaiion. As to unfolding the admins
tration of the department, with such char
npc ,,rnyol I'D = ,ttoJ &c
more even than the spirit of party devo-
ton can accomplish.
Again, sir, the third resolution dis
tinctly declares that ii practice prevails
in the post office, of granting contracts
on bids which vary from the advertise
ments, and of altering contracts after
they are made aud accepted; a practice
which destroys all competition, and en-
ables the department TO give all con-
tracts TO iavorites. Is this charge de-
MED or admitted? have not heard the
honorable member, the chairman, deny
ii. Does he acknowledge it 10 be true? ?
If he does, why does he not tell US, in a
plain and direct manner, that this, too,
is an enormous abuse and ought to be
reformed? Is such practice TO pass
without apprehension? While its exist
ence is detected, discovered and ac-
kpowledgcd, is there to be 10 rebuke of
lii?
There is then the sixth resolution,
which declares, that extra allowances
have been made to contractors, which
are unreasonable and extravaganza. and
out of proportion with the increase Of
service. Is this true?
The eleventh resolution alleges, in
general terms, that the department is
deeply in debt; lis affairs are in disor-
der. have heard no man deny this
None can deny il. The department is
deeply in debt; its affairs are disordercd,
greatly disordered. These extra al
lowance appear TO have lost their origin
al character. Instead Of being extra
ordinary they have become ordinary.
Contractors calculate upon them. The
probability of an extra enter into their
motives, when they make bids. Iodeed
it seems of very little Importance what
bids they make. They arc in fact paid
just what sums the postmaster general
sees fit to pay; and they are generally
very well satisfied. From the frequency
and amount of these extras, the cou-
slant changing of contracts, il is quite
evident tina, all fair competition among
contractors is done away.
Mr.. President, the country is AVA
kened 10 these abuses in the post office.
and it will not be, and ought not TO be.
satisfied without a thorough examna
ton, and an honest and real reform.
give my hearty thanks TO the committee
for their zeal and industry. They have
had a taborious winter, and are likely
to have aborous summer. Let them
so on learlessly, and the country will
appreciate their services.
Let them explsre all the sources of
corrupt patronage, let them bring ahu.
scs into the broad light of day. Let
them inquire into the numbey of romo-
walls of Postmasters, with the alleged
cause of such removals. Let them IN.
quire at whose bidding honest and faith
full men have been removed to make
way for partzans. Let them ascertain
whether it be true that persons here may
go into the post office, and require the
removal of postmasters by the dozen;
whether fha DoStuuctar oo,or,l - .