The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-07

At the end therefore, of this quarter, these post
masters, without having received a single dollar
compensation, became debtors to the depart
ment in the respective amounts given in the table
from which he had read. The committee might re-
ly on this as correct statement, drawn from the
regular returns Of these Offices and in wav at.
fected by the gross appropriation of $500, 900 for
s'clerk hire" under this bill.
II was contended that the appropriation Of 5000
600 for clerk hire covered the whole sum. This
was mistake. By reference to the act of 1925, il
would be that the postmasters were restricted
to the commissions arising out of their respective
Offices This appropriation Of $4,000 was a sort
Of charity to all the deficiencies in the service
but had no reference whatever to the pay Of Incl
dental expenses of the Office, to which it was who'll
ly inadequate.
The effect, then, of retaining the proviso would
be to bring the department to draw for compensa.
ton of postmasters on its own funds proper, and
throw the appropriations for contractors upon the
treasury. Ii that was to be the practical working
of the thing they had better at avoid it by
things to continue as II now exists.
The gentleman from New York had made som,
complaint of postmasters who were now here, ant
exercising, as he believed, their influence for thei
own interests. Mr.. II. had seen but two Of these
postmasters, who had made no suggestions to hin
on the subject; but instead Of denouncing them fol-
giving Information on matters with which they wer,
practically and thoroughly acquainted, and with
which the members Of the House were not wei
informed, they might well and benefcially consul
them. But he relieved HIMSELF and the COMMITTEES
on the Post Office and Post Roads, and the Postmas
ter General, from tho imputation of receiving any
improper influence from these gentlemen-for gen
tleen he believed they we're, in all the attributes
gentlemen. They would honorably compare will
gentlemen on this floor and they were not the lesi
honorable men because they happened to be pubi
officers.
He had heard il mentioned that there was extrav
agance in the post Office at New York in this brancl
OF expenditure for clerks hire. But the clerks Their
were now inadequate, and worked almost to death
He was informed yesterday by the postmaster a
New York, whom he happened to meet, that hi
day clerks went upon duty at o'clock in the morn
ing, and were relieved at at night; and the nigh
clerks we're engaged from at night to in tn
morning; and that he is often pdebted to the lndul
gence Of the owners and propretors of steamboats,
railroads, &c. for their indulgence in allowing thu
mails TO be placed on board behind the regular time
Many Of the best clerks were resigning from abso
lutte necessity, as the labors were too severe 70
them. '"| #. .
The idea ofthe gentleman from New York Mr.
RkrHBUN] was delusive. u might be that in tn
gentlemans district there would be found postmss
tiers 70 perform their duties from the mere prompt
ings Of an enlarged and elevated patriotism. When
ever they found the gentleman ready to serve then
here IN Congress for nothing, this might be tn