Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-01-01


mails and he nevertheless paid money of the De-
parncnt for this inconvenience than for the dispatch and
regularity of the mails There sometimes way If tell
ing the truth by which false impressions could be conveyed
Mr. JONES, of Tennessee rose to question OF order He
believed motion to refer not in order to into
discussion Of the subject to be referred.
The SPEAKER replied that the rule was not 50 broad
the gentleman from Tennessee appeared suppose il to
Debate motion to refer had not wide latitude in
Committee Of the Whole but motion 10 refer debate
sometimes which 10 extent involved the merits Of
the question: He believed the gentleman from Virginia to
be in order.
Mr. BOTTS had no disposition TO discuss the merits Of
this bill at this time On the contrary, he could exercise
his discretion The subject he should prefer to hear
what gentlemen had say the other side and also to hear
the gentleman who reported this resolution speak in its ust
fcaion, before he Mr. said any thing Hethoughth there
was most impression existing in regard to tie
merits OF this whole subject and he would prefer that the
gentlemen opposite should make all their objections the ORR
gna resolution, and urge all their argument before he said
another word the subject At this time, all that he de-
sired obtain fair hearing Of this subject and he
anxious that the House dadopt the motion reconsider
for, If the ont resolution went to the Committee Of the
Whole under the rule which the House adopted week ago.
wsud be impossible say when would be reached The
subject involved in this resolution one which every part
OF the country had deep interest. Public attention
the other by boards Of trade and commercial associations in
New York. Philadelphia, New Orleans and other important
commercial cities. The subject which demanded
immediate action 1t not merely question Of inconve-
trade and commerce Of the country.
He would not, however, go into extended argu-
mcn on this subject He would only ask the House to favor
them BY econsiderng the question, that might come up
fairly for discussion and be properly understood
Mr., BROWN, Of Pennsylvania, would not say that the
opponents of this proposition could prove their position
clearly the gentleman from Virginia (Mr BorTs) said he
could prove his but he (Mr BnowS thought woud be
shown that the Postmaster General had acted with good faith
to these railroad companies and to the country He had act
ed literally he ought TO have acted, and he (Mr b.
thought would be that this but the beginning OF
series of attempts control the Post Office Department by
the railroad companies, if they encouraged by ths
House. If opportunity afforded TO examine all the
facts of the case would be that they must now at the
beginning set their faces against this system Of extoron
throw the whole the and management OF these
companies. The gentleman from Virginia had spoken of
clar from end Of the country TO the other this sub
ect but they be asked To be driven from the course
which the Department found it necessary 10 pursue by the
clamor Of those who interested and cared for nothing
beyond their interests in the matter he thought no
gentleman would take that position.
But he disposed at this time TO go into defence of
the Postmaster General into the particulars OF this case
The Postmaster General had offered to this company all he
he deemed himself authorized oer either BY law, by the
action Of his predecessors, by his judgment lie could
offer more he couli give and now, after the
company have refused to take il the committee have gone SO
far require him 10 or the contract to them again. and
subject the Government perhaps very heavy losses III the
payment Of damages 10 the other and individuals IN
teresed for violation of the contract entered into with the
all parties when should be fairly in operation
might be found injurious the public Interests TO transport
the mail by that route and he should be willing to sub.
jec the Government TO loss by dscontnung IT, Butwhen
every part Of the country calling for reduction OF the
yates OF postage the Department called upon by the
sman from Virginia and those who Immediately int
rested to ncr the pay Of carrying this mail beyond what
given other railroads, and beyond what appeared Ian
compensation for the service Ihls all th could BE- ciesry
and fully shown.
Mr. RHETT wished 10 make single suggestion to the
gentleman who brought forward these resolutions might
be that he did understand their pupo but he did there
was one point which seemed worthy Of the genemans con-
sdeaon and that of the House II he understood the second
resou,ion there provision at all made IN II by which
the Pusmas General could make any arrangement with the
company with whom the contract exists The company
wou have the right hen it appeared him, their
boat daily The route and al the end OF the year 10 require
the whole sum, viz sl4000 to be psithe sum which the
Department stipulated to pay Would Il not be very unwise
thus put hands into the mouth OF the lion mght
be very expeen that the old should be restored but
prudence dictated discretion should be left TO the
Postmaster Genea that he might be enabled make some
arrangement with the line 10 ply them whatever damages
thy by dsconnung a route, and take II out
Of their power bring demand Of $4,000 Mt the close
OF the year, the if the mail had been carried by them
during the whole time.
Mr. GOGGIN hoped he should be pardoned, having had
the honor report this joint resolutions for claiming the at
tenton OF tue House short time upoa subject which SO
deeply affected only his STATE bat the Who'll. south
and the whole country. This resolution bad received al inc
hands oil the committee That -
much Importance deserved. The committee bad not how
ever come the conclusion which he adopted lie ala no
intend to support resolutions but hoped the House would
nut upon the wefounded resolution his colleague
(Mr BorTs,) in which he (Mr b. aud his constituents
we're deeply interested The resolution OF ms colleague
simply authorized the Postmaster General 70 renew ne con-
tract which had already existed for the transportation OF the
mail between this city and Richmond The gentleman rom
Penney yania, his colleague the committee lMr brown
had thought proper tell the House that this company came
here demanding increase Of pay the hands OF Congress
With all due respect for that gentleman he must be allowed
say that he entirely inexperienced Inc nature OF ne qus
presented 10 the consideration OF TIC House ne com
pany demanded increase Of over what hey mad ecev-
ed 1913 They here not as Petiouers but tue
representatives OF the people, in obedience 10 the potential
voice OF the Poop e. AZ uttered through public meetings, not
ony in the Old Dominon but every where, North and South
demanded that this House should consider and act upon his
subject and that with prompnes and dispatch This compa-
nv or s friends here did not present themselves asking THIS
House 10 authorize Postmaster General TO make ncreae
Of their nav For period since 1913, this company
had received the hands Of the late and Of the present Post
master General under joint resolution Of Congress and
der an award al Mr. Tsr the late President % the United
States the very sum which they asked this House TO
horze the Postmaster General TO ray them Mr. G. read
from satisfies exhibiting OF the d,als Of the proof
Of this statement Instead Of the company making exorbant
demands r this service represented had been u.
dcaed IN Congress aud sanctioned y the President OF the
United states that they entitled the pay which
Il was now lke give and, since lsi3 down July
ofthis GEAR Contracting years Of the administration Of the
pree posias General they had received IT, Bat thai,
officer 10 came this House sa saii his annual report
that 10 allow tAis c,mpensaton any further would be viola
zion Of law.
This sane compensation had been paid from 1913 to tie