The New York herald., 1849-06-12

GOVERNMENT CoNTRACrs--TuK WEST INDIA
Man. STEAxEEs-The completion OF the line of
fine steamers built by Mr.. Aspnwall for the Pa-
ciic mail service, and its recent organization un-
der the most difficult and trying circumstances,
serve to call the attention of the public and the
government to one branch, which, although of
much Importance to the entire success of the en-
terprse, does not appear to make that progress to-
war0s completion necessary for the fulfilment of
the object fer which the liberal appropriation was
made. The question has been asked from various
quarters, how il is that the five steamers con-
traced for two three years since, and for which
the parties now in receipt of $25,OOO per
month, have not been put In operation The new
mail route between this city, Havana, New Or
leans, and Chagres, established on paper at Wash
ington, and for which the people now pay heavy
sum, is, as far can be ascertained, still in embryo;
Its actual benefits, thus far, unknown to any but
those who the recipients of the monthly bonus
If we recoect right, the original proposition
made to government by the gentleman who first
obtained the contract, was, that for the considera-
tion of $2900O0 per annum, or $2,9OO,0O0 for ten
years-the duration of the contract-five steamers
should be constructed, of such capacity as would
warrant their transfer at any time to The naval ser
vice ofthe United States and that the said steamers
contracting party, would, for the above sum,
carry sem-m monthly mail to and from New Orleans
and the ports already mentioned. Years have
passed; advances have been made, and an enor-
nous quantity of words have been expended upon
the consummation of the conntraot but as yet no
thing has been heard of the ships beyond the mere
fact that only will be ready to commence ope-
rations in the fall When the others required to
a. sC-J -
are to be brought forward for service, in accor-
dance with the legal compact signed and sealed by
government officers, is perhaps asking too much.
Somebody may be able to tell us when the service
was to have commenced, and if the time has really
been extended, until this late day, by order of the
government
II is quite unnecessary to speak of the impor-
tance of the connection in the chain of intercourse
between tkis port and San Francisco, for which
purpose this line of steamers was originally intend
ed nor can it be too deeply regretted, that IN al
most every instance where government enterprise
comes in contact with private parties, the former,
although backed by wise heads and an abundance
of means is last in the field and in nine cases out
of ten fails to become either source of profit or
usefulness.
As we have already sad the interest of the
most extensive portion of this line, and the people
at large must feel the necessity Of having at once
a communication on this side, equal to the facilities
on the Pacific and if government still persists in
the very questionable course it has pursued in
gard to this matter, it should be so shaped that
private enterprise at least might escape its inju-
rious effects As an illustration of the truth of
these remarks, we have only to refer to the last
intelligence from the 1sthmus, where it is stated
that the mails by the Oregon, which arrived at
Panama, on the 4th of May, would be detained
until the arrival of the Falcon, making loss In
time of thirty-three or fouI days.
1t is right that government should assist and
encourage our foreign lines Of steamers to enable
them to compete with lines fosered by other 60
vernments, as is the case with the Cunard vessels
but it Is unjust in the extreme, and vile abuse Of
authority to aid one line of steamers to run against
another in the coastng trade. Uaon the same
principle, government might as well advance suifi-
cient funds to a certain house OR establishment
that it might be enabled to monopoize a particular
branch OF trade, and ruin the interest of other
houses doing fair and legitimate business in the
same line; or is 1t anything less than giving favor
ties all the advantages the power of money can
purchase, to cripple and discourage private enter
prise
YET, with these disadvantages to contend with,
the efforts fprvae individuals have been most sue
sessful-a fact which, in connection with the ex-
perience we have in public works, goes to
prove that power or money, unless discreetly used,
often forms an impenetrable barrier to the accom-.
Plishment of good or useful objects
Here we have in the hands of citizens, efficient
and well organized lines of steamers that were
built and put operation, independent of official
patronage, and whose services none can better
estimate than the people of Charleston, New Or
leans and Savannah. These lines have haen firm
ly and properly established, and are now yielding
a suitable return.