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

MI fuLEE, Scontinung) With the amendment
which came from the House How could he. upon III
"a q March feel justified upon the presumption that
ne cannot rely upon that for Justification i
MT UNDERWOOD. 1t seems to me, Mr. President.
na hs question does not turn upon the conduct Of the
iate postmaster General at all Now. suppose he was
wrong IN his understanding of the time How does that
ancct me question IN reference to this appropriation II
me who, upon that understanding,
entered into negotiation with the Postmaster General
iul IT, then, propose to abide by the and
pay HIM according 10 his ulhlment although the Post
master General might have acted enormously in the
tension Ii does not upon the conduct OF the Post
master General at all But has the other party fulfilled
the engagement That is the question il turns upon Ii
Is admted all hands that he has not AS he is in
default and has not fulfilled it, have any circumstances
been shown here by which you ought to extend any
lenity towards these deiauing contractors Does il be-
long TO the government TO say "Yon default; you
see there circumstances by which we ought to be
enient to you but will select you out of 900 other
contractors in the United States, and grant you bounty,
and give you valm contract--give you $4,000 for
what II Is acknowledged upon the floor OF the Senate
can be performed for $4,000 " That is the question
These individuals have shown to the Senate, SO far as
Know not one circumstance OF mitigation for their failure
Ihey have not shown that they have made single prop
oston TO comply with this contract Now when gen
temen advocate this bill, i they will state any facts upon
which II appears these individuals have presented them
selves IN attitude requiring the favorable inerposon
OF Congress, then it may be ground to give them
$4,000 annually instead Of $4,000 for which you
get the service performed In the attitude in which the
appropriation now appears. it is totally unjust
MIR. FOOTE. Mr.. President, do not entertain any
disposition to make long speech 1t seems to me not
to be the time Tor long speech understand the his
tory OF this case to be that thispa Of the bill made
part by the action OF the House OF Representatives upon
the recommendation OF the proper committees II has
been sanctioned by the Committee on Finance It has
been sanctioned by the Committee the Post Office and
Post Roads, or the chairman al least II to me,
under the circumstances would be altogether outrage
GUS Tor US to act in opposition this recommendation
In addition to all that, agree with the honorable
tor from Virginia Mr. HUNrER] in recognising this as
an pfr faith Re-.
except constitutional grounds, laughter and sus
tanning the doctrine OF the State nave the honor part
TO represent upon that great subject shall vote in
cordance with the Recommendation of the Commute on
Finance.
Mr.. DOWNS. would like to know whether, if we
pass this appropriation bill i will be liable to be con-
strued into ratification OF this extension of this
TO ten years
The PRESIDENT. Certainly
Mr. DOWNS. Ii that ia the case, and il shall turn
out, have doubt will before half OF the ten years
run out that we can get it done for deal less
shall lose greatly by this appropriation There is great
deal said about good faith will lar any
maintain good faith should like to know if there
is any principle which requires Congress TO sanction
contract extending it TO double the time for which il was
understand too, from the chairman of the Committee
Finance. that, strictly and legally speaking, these
tracts for steamers generally have been violated They
have not come up to their contracts think the annual
report OF the same department. accompanying the Pres
dents message, states the fact would abide by
the faith OF the government if they pledged. But
failurehat it is done for the attainment of object
that cannot be accomplished in this wayhat is, I'M
derstand to strengthen and the navy of the
United States think il must be evident that the
object has failed; for4hose steamers will be out
lost-before shall have war or need them. | find
too, that the object cannot be carried out because
hall OF the steamers not OF the quality calculated to
make war steamers. What sort OF steamers have
running in the navy part at least OF those carrying
these mails no beter--pari of them not good
those running without these contracts. We are expend
ing great deal OF money upon this object, which be
attained, ii necessary, equally well in other way
We have opportunity TO stop in this career.
think should do ii have no doubt that if these
tracts were all dissolved, the business could be done
cheaper and better without them. Why, then, should
continue think the honorable senator from New York
Mr. DcKINsoNl gives up the whole question when he
that strictly speaking the contracts have been vlo
lated The genius OF government is against monopoly
There strong impression public epinionaDd be-
eve II Is correct one-that this business will all be
done better and cheaper without these contracts IT, them
we are absoved let close this business OF contracts
and not extend them any further II adopt this APP
preparation, not only bound by these contracts.
but the Postmaster General has extended them to
double the time, why he the Secretary
of the Navy may extend them 10 four times the time
now agreed upon, to indefinite period. Because an
officer of the government has done IT, is Congress bound
to sanction IT! think we shall find difficulty IT that
| MI. DICKINSON, Tin his seat) We can pass gen.
eral law to prevent it. He has the authority Tor that ser
vice.
Mr.. DOWNS. I think, instead OF making law TO
prevent officers from doing it. they should do any.
thing until they are authorized. do not know that we
sent here make laws TO prohibit officers from going
contrary to law or beyond the law they should look to
law for their warrant for what they do do not suppose
that came here to pass laws TO prohibit their gong be-
You'd the law. | thought they would understand that
themselves.
Mr. DICKINSON, lin his sea,) They have the law
now to authorize them
| Mr.. DOWNS. These, sir, are briefly the reason. why
shall not vote for this appropriation. do not know
why should give these contracts tor service IN
carrying mailswhch is infinitely less important 10 a
nod of han he
companies, instead of opening them TO competition IN
carving the mails here everywhere else. There is
transportation by steam to any portion OF the United
States, which is Of immense importance. There is the
Transportation OF the mail bays and our rivers
transportation the Mississippi and the Ohio river That
is mol done by special contract with companies We have
not stipulated tina, such and such companies shall have
the exclusive privilege OF carrying the mail Tor certain
number OF years. authorizing the Postmaster General to
extend them continually Why, sir should II not be
done in transportation as everywhere elsei think
there is great mistake in this whole business. and the
corrected the better no better time to stop II
than now.
| Mr.. DOUGLAS. Mr. President, do not intend to go
into the discussion OF the policy of the system OF mail
steamers adopted time ago know that the Senate
is not in the temper the humor for such discussion
at this time Yet several senator's have taken occasion
to say that when that system originally adopted they
were opposed il, and the intmaon thrown out that
the system could not be defended upon principle sim
ply desire 10 say this lime that when the subject shall
ary come before the Senate, shall be prepared to ylDd
cate this policy Just and wise when adopted and as
/ lust and wise TO be continued believe that can show
that this system OF mail steamers far its effects
upon carrying the mail concerned so lar az It's eec
upon commerce are concerned, and so lar as the IN,