The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-19

of time not exceeding certain number of years Now
sir, the bill merely takes the rate which we pay for
carrying the mail alone, between New York and Liver
pool; which is merely, sir, rule 10 go by The rate is
TO exceed three-ourths of the amount paid by
Congress for the transportation of the mails alone be-
tween New York and Liverpool The Secretary may
make the much below that as he peases aud we
all know well enough that that officer, making the con-
tract at discretion will feel himself bound TO do the best
he can Tor the community
Now, sir, as to the time. The bill specifies twenty
years The Secretary not bound to grant more than
one year He may make the time short as he can
but will aid the Secretary in making arrangements for
carrying the mails fora less amount than could be en-
gagged for a short time.
ii the proposition is entitled consideration, must
go TO persons who know what they are about TO do as
far as understanding the whole matter goes who are
competent to do Il IN pecuniay MEANS and who have an
interest which will lead them TO accomplish IT. But after
all this is done, they will have to show, SIR, that they
had right to obtain from the government OF New Gren-
ada what is shown, by the declaration made this morn
ing for the purpose of being read IN the American Sen
ate and which is already the possession OF the depart
ment, that these gentlemen have obtained.
Now, sir it is not only mails WHICH are to be trans,
ported upon this road but naval supplies and supplies OF
every kind These not matters to be paid for under
contract for they already provided for by
separate contract They have already contracted Tor their
transportation the backs of mules and where is the
difference 1t is for the advantage OF the United States
to have them put upon railroad that will fly across IN
few minutes, rather than to have them exposed upon
the backs OF mules They must be carried any way and
the mode OF conveyance only will be changed
But is not merely for the transportation of the mails,
ary and naval but for the transportation Of all persons
in the employment OF this government And for this the
bill STIMULATES to pay nothing There Is no stipulation
for ANYTHING to be allowed, either in point of money
in point of time All is left open for contract; but the
bill has stpulaons which OF the highest possible
moment One is sir that the work shall be accomplished
within three years
have only to thank the gentleman from Illinois for
bringing forward his objections.
single word IN reply TO the gentleman from New
Hampshire Mr.. HALE upon the other side That sena-
tor has certainly not duly weighed his words when
he goes against ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS all monopoes; ior
there in which monopolies are most just and
polite, There cases in which some extraordinary
work cannot be accomplished, unless it IS by giving aid
vanages TO company or to individuals who VIII engage
in it. OF that kind is the work now before us. VI
that kind sir, are our mail steamers not only those
which go to California, but those which go TO Eu.
rope, OF that kind is the Cunari line, the whole OF
which grew up from the principle of giving pnvi-
eges TO those who set on foot new enterprises-the
principle of securing exclusive privileges to individuals
by way OF compensation and to secure their IRON
loss by competition order to accomplish great good
That principle will be duly considered by the Secretary OF
the Navy before he enters into contract The bill Is
purely authority TO give hm the power to make CON
tract stating maximum IN regard to price, and time
beyond which he is not TO CO. without stating minimum
below which he is not to 60 The mdrAmun is favor
able and trust we can rely upon any oice OF the
government TO be exceedingly careful to make such
contract upon the best possible terms for the government
and for the people.
or two; but as for extending the time until the whole
country may have time to send IN proposals, 1t IS death
to the BILL sir The loss of few months now, is the
loss of year 1t is nothing novel for legislation TO stop
for the purpose OF giving others opportunity 10
underbd but here the object commended for Is already IN
the possession OF company, and delay may mar the
whole object, sir. A company may offer TO carry
mails &C. for the smallest possible sum, and ior the
shores, time. What then sir The RIGHT IS already
sir in the possession OF another What then becomes OF
their contract ? The bill is open 1t submits the whole
to the Secretary Of the Navy, under the limitations to
which have already alluded;
Mr.. ALLEN. This is large matter, SIR and new,
l. u, lbp
government of the United States has, believe IN virtue
of treaty stipulation, the right OF way for itself and all
its citizens across the ishmus OF Panama. desire to
know whether be the intention of this people to trans
fer that right from the government OF the United States to
company in New York, that no other citizens OF the
United States except that company, could construct
road across the isthmus OF Panama That Is the ques
Mr. BENTON. The memorial states that the petition
ers have exclusive right to railway over the lslhnus
and apprehend that persons who choose so to do Will
still be at liberty to go upon the mules
Mr.. ALLEN. do not speak OF the rights OF the Peo
ple of New York Their particular rights have nothing
to do with the Senate, where the rights of the whole
people concerned My question is, whether II Is the
intention OF the Senate TO dvest the people the right OF
transit the lshmus and to invest that right IN a
company OF New York | wish merely to know whether
10 part with any right have acquired under
this treaty by this bill 10 know whether IN case that be-
comes law, anybody IN the United States would nave
right 20 there and make road canal railroad, or
anything else | only wish TO know whether we lose
any rights by the bill
nv. BEN lDN 30 lar as transit Is ConcclHcu, any
person may he peaseson foot, on mules or
the railroad, as in the United States No person is
obliged to 20 upon the railway he may go beside, be
fore, behind This is the way in which the people Of
the United States to get the benefit OF the Treaty
Mr.. CLARKE. rise at this moment of the discussion
merely TO ask question with regard to the contract
made by the government of New Grenada in 1888 |
merely wish TO learn whether there is copy of the
tract made by the government OF New Grenada with a
company of citizens of France in 1898; which contract
has been transferred to this present company. should
| ha hgu n goo a contract Would
very desirable order TO understand what would be the
situation of the United States il that contract should be
adopted by this government II 1t is unrestricted and
unlimited IN its character 1t is desirable that we should
know it.
Mr.. BENTON. 1t is in the city, and be procured,
That contract, however, has expired.
Mr.. CLARKE. | understand that the contract has ey-
pred but the contract has been made with the
present memoralis,s If So is desirable know what
are the terms of that contract
Mr. JOHNSON of MARYLAND. II is not improbable
that this bill may not be thoroughly understood; and
rise now suggest two difficulties which shall
be glad to have the senator from Missouri give me the
means of obvianr The bill itself not, If understand
the member Alright bill merely authorizing the Sec
rotary of the Navy to enter into contract with these
gentlemen for the transportation of munitions of war,
&c. but it directs and compefs him TO enter into the
tract, leaving him option at all
Another provision of the bill, as understand it, is
that gives exclusive control TO these contractors and
that they not 10 receive than the
paid for the transportation OF the mail from New
York TO Liverpool AS we, by the BILL direct the Secre-
tary enter into such contract he compelled to
up that amount If these gentlemen think proper TO de-
cline the contract for any short of that amount
Now if ecolect right, the amount pay for the trans
pot,b a from Nav NnrE tn