Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-12
FEB e E.9Ke W T2, ES3J

by some additional remarks
The question was then taken the motion TO amend
and decided a. follows:
itds-Mcssrs. Dbb, Black NIangum, Moore Poin-
dexter Porter, Robbins and Waggansan-S
:, !layS-Niessrs Bell, Brown, Buchanan, Cuthbert,
Ewing, frelmghuyscn, Goldshorough, Grundy Hem
dricks, Iiii Kane, Kent, King of Ala. King of Geo.
knight Leigh, Linn, Mexican Morris Naudain Prem
sS' reson robinson, Rugglcs, Sheplcy, Smith South
Wright-33.
So the amendment was rejected.
nc bill was then reported to the Senate as amended
MIR Grundy then moved to amend the 18th section
oy striking out the following words:
Also, statement of all such land and water mails
as may nave been established and ordered by the depart
mont within the year preceding other than those let v
contract at the annual lettings of mail contracts specify
ing IN each the or water course ON which Tho
mail is established the of the person employed 10
ransportit the mode of tIansportaon the amount paid
OF TO 70 DC paid; and the duration of the order
L ne amendment was agreed to- Is were some amend
ments of a verbal character The amendments made TO
The bill were then concurred in
Mr. hing, of Georgia, moved to strike out of the 10th
secuoh tic woiSs' Aiicr the words ''sealed
And the Postmaster pes.,.I ehnll cause 10 he on
dorscd thereon the day which it is recccd and kcen
II sealed until the bddings are closed The r.onosaIs
shall then be opened and registered in the prese~ Of
the Postmaster Generals of the Assistant Post
master General and of the Commissioners of the Gene
raj Post Office
And TO insert the following words:
With the number of the route bid for endorsed there
And the Postmaster General shall also be
endorsed the day which it is received and keep it
sealed until the biddngs closed The second day
after the biddngs closed the bids shall be opened by
the Postmaster General by of the Assistant Post
masters in the presence of the bidders their agents. if
they think proper to be present. The bids shall be
opened in the numerical order of the routes bepnning
No &c, which bids SHALL called, be registered in
book kept for that purpose and open for the inspection
OF bidders. Each route shall be bid for separately and
what are usually called combination bids shall not be
ccivcd."
Mr. King supported his proposition by some remarks
on It's effect III preventing any possibility of fraudulent
MIR. Ewing approved of some part of the proposed
amendment, but thought that there were other parts
which would lie productive of Inconvenience lie was
happy accept that part which provided that each
should be bid for separately, which would prevent
structivc bids.
negahyed-Ayes Ia, Noes 10
MIR Ewing then moved amendment providing that
every route should be separately bid for and separate
contract made
Mr. Wright asked if this would not greatly increase
the cost of transportation He had obtained this inn
preston from consultation with the late Postmaster
General
Mr.. Ewing could not say with certainty; but he be-
icved would not in fact increase the expense the
guards would make the bids all fair and effect consi-
derable saving in this way.
Mr. Grundy said it would increase the expense hut he
thought one evil would be- that the contractors
would be greatly ncreased and one bad contractor would
throw all into confusion. But this an expert
mental remedy, he was inclined to vote for it.
Mr.. Webster supported the amendment as very import
ant, account OF its tendency prevent fraud and
eXpr3ssed his thanks to the gentleman from Ohio for
bringing it forward He hoped and thought that would
not increase expense
Mr.. Wright said he had feeling in regard to the
amendment, which, from the feeling exhibited had no
doubt would prevail. He thought the amendment would
curail the mail facilities by throwing larger
money into the hands of contractors.
Mr.. King of Georga, said he did not vote for this
amendment under the impression that would increase
tho expenditure.
Mr. Preston advered the evil of the system az il
had hitherto been carried on, under which transac
n mysterious aspect; the Post Office was divided
few persons in secret and individuals were ena-
bled to gain large profits anda lofty imposing standing
Mr. Shepey remarked on. the practice of making the
carry of the mail subservent the transportation OF
passengers. lie thought if contractor could have
the carrying OF the mail main route, which there
great transportation of passengers he would be will
ling, for the purpose of securing this main route take
less desirable route in conjunction with it, at very
low price This advantage wouldbe lost by making the
bids separate.
Mr., Wagge@fS asked. that The question be taken by
Yeas and Nays, which ordered.
Mr. Bib moved TO introduce the words seand no con-
solidatcd combination bid shall be- received"
Mr. Ewing accep pied the amendment
The question was then taken.on the amendment as
amended by Mr.. Ewing, and decided loows--Yeas
II, Nays 2, as follows
Ycas-Nlcssrs Bell, Benton, Bib Black Brown
Buchanan, Calhoun, Cuthbert, Ewing, Frelinghuysen
Goldsborough Grundy, Hendricks, Ill., Kent, King
OF Alabama, King OF Georgia, Knight, Leigh, Linn Me
Kcan, Mangum, Moore, Naudain, Poindexter Prentiss
Preston, Robbins, Robinson, Ruggles, Shepley Silsbee
Smith Southland, Swift, Tipton Tomnson, Tyler, Wag
gaman, Webster, Whitc--4I.
NayS-Mcssrs. Tallmadgc, Wright-2.
Mr. Ewing then moved to amend the 10th section by
inserting in the path line provision that the register
the bids shall be opened for inspection Immediately after
the letting
| The amendment was agreed to.
| Mr. Shcpcy moved provision, that any who fail
cd III obtaining the main route but obtained subordi
nate connecting one, might give up the latter which
should be LET to the next lowest bidder advertised
anew
Mr. Buchanan made remark or two in opposition "a
the amendment.
The amendment was then rejected.
Mr. Poiudexter moved 10 amend the bill by adding a
new section, follows:
Sec 81 Ind be further cnae,cd That if any deputy
postmaster shall deain in his Office any letter packet
pamphlet newspaper with intent to prevent the ar
val and delivery Of the 10 the person persons
whom they addressed directed in the usual course
Of The transportation Of the mails along the route: or il
any such deputy postmaster SHALL with intent aforc
said give preference To- any letter packnoe pamphle
newspaper, others which may pass through hi.
Office by forwarding the and retaining the other fo
purpose whatsoever any such deputy postmaster
Offending, shall on conviction thereof in any court OIL
competent jurisdiction, be fined IT, a not exceedinp
five hundred dollars, and Imprisoned for term not tx
cccdne months, and shall moreover be forever there
after incapable Of holding the Office Of postmaster in the
/ United States.
Mr. PoindexIcr remarked upon the practice Of inter
ccptng and OBTAINING letters and newspaper for potca
purposes, loudly calling for provision ike thai
which he offered.
MIR Robinson said he would vote for the proposition
with an amendment which he would offer there were
routes which tho posimaster were compelled e
keep on hand papers, packages and documents sorie
times for three four weeks. lie particularly referee
20 the Postmaster at Louisville.
Mr. Webster suggested that te proposition il stool
only made tho act penal when done with unlawful in
tent
Nj Robinson Withdrew his objection.
Mr. linn thought that other important amendment
might be Offered MoDay, 81 the Senate would adourn
- ~. Senate adjourn