Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-06-19

sT SESSION.

MIR. Robbins presehteu tne iesolutionS o
the General Assembly Of Rhode-lsland
demonstrating agaiqs, the late measures
Of the Executive. After the presenta-
ton Of various memorials on the same
subject, MIR. Ewing, from The Commit
tee on Post Offices and Post Roads, -
who were instructed TO investigate the
condition Of the Post Office Department,
presented report on the subject, con-
cluding with the following resolutions:
I. Resolred, That il is proved and ad-
mitted, that large sums Of money have
been borrowed at different Banks, by
the Postmaster General, in order to make
up the deficiency in the means Of carry
ing on the business Of the Post Office
Department, without authority given by
any law of Congress and that, as Con-
gress alone possesses the power to Dor.
row money on the credit Of the United
States, all such contracts for loans by
the Postmaster General, are illegal and
void.
2. Resolved, That several reports Of
the Postmaster General contain state
ments which, in subsequent papers, he
admits 10 be erroneous; that others, cs-
pecially those Of the 18th Of April, 1882
and the Sd of March, 1884, are inconsis-
tent with each other; and that, there
fore, reliance cannot be placed on the
truth and accuracy Of the communica-
tions made by the Department.
8. Resolrcd, That it is fully proved,
that practice prevails in the Post OF
fee Department, ofgranting contracts on
bids which vary from the advertiseme nts,
and Of changing and altering contracts
in material respects after they have been
accepted, and that this practice prevents
all fair competition among persons wish
iag to make contracts, is calculated to
give undue advantage to favorites; and
is in violation oflaw.
a. Resolped, That it appears, that an
individual who made contract. for the
transportation Of tho mail, was required
10 give il up for no other reason than
that it might be given TO another, desir-.
Gus Of having it, and that the act of the
Department, in requiring such surrender
and in eflecting the transfer, was illegal
and unjust
5. Resolved, That it appears that the
proposals for carrying the Mail on the
route from Chicago to Green Bay, was
withheld from advertisement; that the
contract therefore was given in another
name, but really and truely to one Of the
clerks in the Department; that the COM
pensation proposed in the bid was raised
without any increase Of service; and that
the transaction is direct breach Of law.
G. Resolved, That extra allowances
have been granted to contractors with
out any increase Of duty or service on
their part, and that in other cases extra
allowances have been made which are
unreasonable, extravagant, and out of
all proportion with the increase Of SER
vice.
I. Resolred, That the Post Master
General has established Steamboat lines
for the transportation Of the mail, by pri-
vate contract, at an enormous expense,
and without authority Of law. 1
8. Resolred, That the public credit
has been pledged for the benefit Of indi-
vidual contractors, and that contractors
have been solicited and induced to aid,
with their personal credit, the business Of
tho Department; and that all such trans
actions are unjustifable and improper. L
9. Resolred, That it does appear that
mail lines have been established to run
more frequently than once day, at
very heavy expense, where no adequate
public object required such provision. II
10. Resolucd, That pecuniary transac- .
tions Of very irregular nature are pro-
we'd to have taken place between the
contractors and some Of the chief Off
GERS Of the Post Office Department.
II. Resolved, That the Post Office
Department is now deeply in debt; its
affairs in disorder; its accounts and re-
ports irregular and unsatisfactory; that
it isjustly the subject Of public complaint,
and demands radical reform. I
IL. RESOLVED, That the incidental ex-
penses and secret service money of the {
Department has increased, is incre asing, I
and ought to be diminished.
I3. Resolved, That it does appear that
an agreement was entered into betwcen
Two companies Of mail contractors, the c
express object Of which was to put down 3
in the transportation of pas =
sengers in their respective mail routes; q
hat said agreement was drawn by an =
officer Of the Department, and entered =
nto at his pressing instance, and that it
vas sanctioned by the Postmaster Cen >;
,ral; and that such agreement, so sane :,
Toned, is an interference with the honest :,
pursuits Of the free citizens oft United y
States; that it tends to establish an odi- =
'us and oppressive monopoly, and is an ;"
Unjust invasion Of private rights.
Ia. Resolred, That it does appear m
hat Mail Contractors have received la