The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-25

a. Because the only control Congress has over the
Postmaster General Is TO limit his revenues.
10 Because Sl50 900 had already been appropria-
ted TO the Post office in Washington.
10. Because the cents allowed 10 posimasters for
the delivery of ranked doeume ns amounted TO $500
900 year. and sometimes brought the Department in
debt TO post office instead OF the post Office to the
Department.
/. On the ground that tins money was a Govern
Inent debt, undeniaby due.
. That The Constitution knew no difference be-
tween public debts, whether due from one Department
or another Ns
3 That il made no difference to whom the contrac-
tors might have looked their security the Govern
ment bound for every debt justly and properly con-
tracted by any one of its authorized agents.
4 Because the contractors were suffering for want
of the money they had earned-their stock, in some
cases, having been attached, in others under execu
lion, and, in some cases, actually sold
5 Because the contractors had exhibited great zeal
and fidelity in the discharge Of their contracts, and
great forbearance and patience under unmerited
barrassmenl and suffering.
In reply to the arguments the other side, il
conended-
l. That Mr., Granger was not answerable for this
debt il having been due before he into office.
? That the debt could be known and was known
very nearly, Notwithstanding all the returns not
actually in
That the report rested in part on the responsibility
of Mr. Whtesey the Auditor General of the Post
fidelity We're above all doubt or suspicion
l. That Mr.. Changers conduct in removals or APP
poinmcnts had nothing 10 do with the debts of the
Government or the rights Of its creditors.
) That Mr.. Granger did more than his duty in
removing improper incumbents.
d That his rule in removals had been to remove
those only who had prostituted their offices to political
purposes, and made themselves busy partisans at
elections
T. That, while some complained Of the number re-
moved, persons complained that several violent
par,sans still retained in office Governor Mar
cy for one)
s. That there no more the Post Office
Department should be kept independent of the Trea
sury than that the Navy Department or the War De
p,rtment should AMI Congress might as well refuse
appropriate for the Navy Department because it did
not take prizes enough to support its own expenses, or
for the War Department, because it did not conquer
territory enough TO pay for its own expenses
9. Because when the Constitution gave power to
Congress TO establish post offices and post roads j, i'm
pliedly required Congress to do And il Congress
DID do must pay whatever 1t cost to establish and
keep them up,
no. Because the .insuficiency Of its revenues
more discharged Congress from this duty, than would
the insufiiciency of court fees discharge Congress
from the duty OF establishing courts inferior to the SUI
preuc Court and providing for the administration OF
iu,rce to the people.
ii. Because the number Of unpaid mail contractors
was very large, being over 400; and the amount due
diem not less than $197 GOT K $50 900 due to ono
cOntractor)
IL Because the credit of the Government the
honor of the country and it dlsgraceiul that men
who had faithfully served the public should be ruined
by the refusal OF Government to pay them their just
dues.
- Because to refuse to pay the debts of Depart
ment because members OF Congress had personal
dislike objection to the person at tho head Of the
Department. not only open dishonesty, but Il was
Introducing revolutionary principle which, II pur-
sued would destroy the Government.
a. As to the discontinuance of a single Sunday
mail route the whole Of them had been discontinued
by Mr.. Niles, Postmaster General of the gentemans
own politics. The discontinuance of this one route
temporary and to resist exiorton.
Is As to Mr Changers having been three times
rejected by the People OF New York for State office,
50 had Mr.. Van Buren, been three times rejected Tor
the Pr, sldency OF the Union.
IL 1t is no more than fair, on the principle
that the Post Office is TO be kept Independent OF the
Treasury, that the Treasury should give the Post
Off this half million, because the Treasury has
heretofore received from the Post Office mil
lion
H. What evidence is there Of disposition to raise
high tariff because gentlemen plead that the Govern
nent should pay honest debt Z
L. The mail contractors contracts made with
the Government, therefore the Government is bound
10 pay the money: if the Department cannot, the
Treasury must
The committee then rose, (for want OF quorum,)
and a hlte after O'clock,
The House adjourned.