The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-06

Mr.. DICKINSON The Committee Finance mao
tended 10 call il up We have taken pains prepare
very minute statement IN regard IT, and have inyesnga
ted il ullyin all lis details and particulars We have
had no dfhculty al all IN coming to conclusion as 10
what is best concur in the remark Of the senator from
Massachusetts. II Is public question This is po-
neer ine which has invested large amounts of capital in
their enterprise, and do not think il becoming in this
government TO strike al matter involving such CONNER
cia political, and financial relations without better rea-
sons than have been presented kNt
have 40 particular objection 10 letting this matter go
over till to. morrow nor have any objection TO the
printing, except that Il is totally unnecessary We have
taken the estimates OF the Postmaster General, correct
ing only mistake OF $4,000; and instead OF making the
appropriation in the aggregate, have made specific,
item by item. That is the only difference there exists
We have made no important amendment at all except the
reduction in amount. We reduce the bill $4,000 !:
$4,000 by correcting mistake which was made BY 1p'
ing down the item for printng in an item whcuwe
thought TOO large, 5oo and VI 900 for The salaries OF
extra clerks which we also thought too large
Mr. UNDERWOOD | hope the bill win not be post
Poned. My experience has been that if you postpone
these things, hardly look into them and we lose
all the time that We have already consumed Now, sir,
do think the best way to obtain information is TO get up
and caiechse the members OF the committee.
MIR. DICKINSON, lin his seat) They may catechise
Mr. UNDERWOOD. / have found, in my experience.
that this is about the best way that it be done
hope when Appropriation bills come up, we will adhere
possibly | am tired 10 death with sitting here,
and want go home, [laughter;l and see no chance
away all gel the appropriation
through. Therefore whenever can get hold Of one
OF them, am for adherng TO it until it is disposed Of
hope will not lose any time by posponng this bill
We shall probably have go all through it again il il is
taken up morrow morning and if we have not suf1-
cient information upon it now, let US catechise
Mr.. FOOrE rise to make single observation.
shall not vote for this motion to postpone at all am
very willing to decide this matter before us at once
though not for the assigned by the senator from
Kentucky; for, although am DESTROYS as he is to go
home, waiting for action upon the appropriation
me Heaven, if everybody declines his duty this sub
ect at least shall never be willing to vote one dollar
in support of this government in the form OF the general
appropriation bill, until the great questions which have
80 long been agitated amongst settled. | an
nouncein advance, that il these questions SO long and
ercely agtating u.s. shall not be settled in the mode
confidently expected at the present time shall, in due
season, move, if no other person does to make new
omnibus by attaching the whole OF these questions TO
warned OF this in time. want appropriations, but not
until we can settle these questions.
Mr.. RUSK. Mr.. President, shall vote for the post
ponement until tomorrow because think shall
time by il. This is very plain question. The Post
Office BILL at any rate, has nothing to do with the general
questions to which the senator from Mississippi has al
luded and am sorry he did SO in the manner he did
This is internal concern and has nothing to do with
the present questions Those general questions are be-
fore the other branch OF Congress- and see reason to
presume that they will not discharge their duty faithfully
and do not think they advanced by any intmatons
that they will be put upon other bills or BY anything OF
that description think the better plan Is TO allow The
cuss those matters on their own merits, and hope pass
the bills.
Mr. DOWNS. approved OF this postponement under
the idea that this bill contained appropriations for carry
ing the mail to California and Oregon But understand
now that was mistaken and it in that idea that
opposed its present consideration, now withdraw my
The PRESIDENT. Does the senator from Louisiana
withdraw his motion 10 postpone'
Mr. DOWNS L did not make that motion. The SEN
ator from Arkansas Mr. SEBAsTANI submitted the mo-
ton 10 postpone.
The PRESIDENT Does the senator from Arkansas
Withdraw his moton
Mr. SEBASTIAN | cannot withdraw it,
The question being taken upon the motion TO postpone,
It was rejected on, divIslon-syes u.s. noes 30
two 10 nv fenS from on sa 10 ,ea the amend
ments he understood that they included large amount
for mail services in the Pacific and on the Atlantic this
side of the isihmus Il only includes the land service in
California and Oregon as does in other States and Ter
ritores II does not include any service but the
Bremen and Hayre service the service TO Southampton
and the service from Charleston and Havana.
Mr.. RUSK. | will detan the Senate but moment
This Appropriation is similar TO those that have been
made every year, for the purpose OF enabling the Post
master General TO comply with his contracts with ms
line. In ls%S similar appropriation was made, and a
precisely similar one was made IN lS49 But IN lS4s an
additional appropriation also made to the steam lines
but owing disagreement between the parties al
the time, this line not Included so that they have
not been as well treated as the other lines.
The honorable senator from Georgia says that It is i'm
portan If the contract has been forfeited for single day,
that we annuli Now sir, differ entirely from that 1t
may perhaps advance the interests OF certain individuals
who desire TO 20 into this business IL may and will in
the expenses OF this government vastly and may
have the effect interrupt this sort OF service, and that
would be the only effect OF it. This line the first Of
the kind created Ii created under general laws but
II is not ssary 10 into discussion OF the
matter The honorable senator will remember that the
carrying trade, and the carrying OF letters, and all that
in the possession OF British steamers al the time this
contract made. IL adopted system TO com
pete with their vessels He will also remember that these
British steamers upon our southern coast-two
or three lines had the entire trade. These lines were
established in opposition 10 them, and the consequence ~
that these British steamers have been driven away
Now, sir, this contract in the hrst instance made
by the Postmaster General for four ships Bremen
OF them 90 10 Havre the contractors themselves
may desire They have the option of either sending the
ships there But il became matter OF importance
send the ships to Havre instead Of Bremen, him
self He then changed the contract to give them ten
years and TO extend the time for them put the ships into
operation. All this has been done than yearnot
a late thing at all The Postmaster General violated no
law, no expression of opinion by Congress, but took
these steps for the purpose OF carrying contract that
not only made by him under the provision of law,
but has been sanctioned by Congress by appropriations.
Now, the simple question is whether not will for.
felt these contracts The senator from lorda says thai
they to have these ships in operation by the LIST OF
July Well, sir can good reasons why that not
done | have not the before me, for did not
expect this subject 10 come up now. But there rea
sons Tor this This Appropriation Is TO pay the annual
amount which is due 10 these contractors. Now, the
simple question is whether shall forfeit the contract
and be liable TO all the penalties OF that contract But il
we refuse to appropriate any money to comply with the
contract the Postmaster General has made, and which is