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

good nature even TO incur this obligation OF a million
made under the ACT OF ls45 Ii stipulated that ship
should be started the LIST March. ls47. and another
the lst August is47, and the other two on the LIST
March, lS46 On the LIST March, lS4s, this whole con
tract failed except far had gone into effect with
the sanction OF the government They had al that time
put on two ships though not within the time coniempla
ted But Notwithstanding their failure in that respect
the time had been prolonged, and that prolongaton had
been sanctioned and by that means tax OF Slo0o,Ooo
was contemplated be added TO the burdens OF the peo-
ole 10 fall within the compass OF five years.
Now, mark The contract Tor I'VE years was notified
to Congress- and appropriation OF S2oooo was made
specially made for the purpose as UNDERSTOOD al me ne
OF sancto1ing the contract The Postmaster Geneta re-
fused 10 let the contract go into operation, to lei II be
considered valid until it had received the sanction Of
Congress- 25 900 towards the contract was pun INTO
the appropriation bill at the session. for the purpose
OF distinct expression of the sense OF Congress by
the of appropriation. the contract was understood
to be confirmed by Congress, and It was contract limited
days before the late Postmaster General went out OF oce
there is endorsed upon that contract an order which
is the basis of this appropriation II Is ordered mat
the time for putting the service IN 1ull operation
under the contract be extended from the lst OF July
lS4S, the time first contemplated by Congress, 10 the
LIST OF July, 1850, which two years more than
intended at first, and that the term oil the contract
be made ten years instead of five thus extending the time
twice far at first intended with TINS provlso
thus making in effect new contract, involving large
amount OF expenditure which had come to the no.
tce Of Congress Now sir what should have been done
The law expressly required that the new contract should
be brought 10 the notice OF Congress Has that been
done! Have had any notice! Now, ask
whether in this indirect mode, without any examination
by any committee, without an opportunity OF receiving
information beyond the facts which are incidentally
brought to light now when the subject is brought to our
notice for the first time we are going to sanction 50 large
an appropration-and that TOO, upon matter that IN
wolves important considerations OF general policy con-
neced with the public deences and the just distribution
of the patronage oil the government! Sir say the least
we can do is separate this part OF the contract
from that authorized by Congress, and for winch an APP
th0 II
and make subject for future consideration. That is
all that ask think that to the interests OF the
country
Now, what are the facts in relation to the contractors
themselves They have not built these last vessels, !
presume, with reference to this line Until the order OF
cd March, 1s49 they were without contract, or right
to put on any more than the first two ships Now, a
stock company understand has been formed, and these
two Havre ships about to be put into the service
They have not been spperinteaded IN their construction
as fully as desirable by the Navy Department and are
not likely to be fitted for naval purposes Now, these
vessels are to do what To run to Havre For what
purpose To carry the mail Have we not already got
contract to carry the mails. by of five steamships,
the Atlantic to Liverpool and by the two ships OF
the Bremen line to Southampton Now will not that no
The effect OF this appropriation is to concentrate sui
further in New York the foreign commerce OF the coun-
try and enable the contractors to enlarge their profits at
the expense Of the government.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. want to be permitted to ask
the honorable senator single question am sorry to
interrupt him. but wish to know whether the extension
of which he speaks of ten years means an extension OF
years from this time, from the original making OF
Mr. YULEE will read the endorsement on the con-
tract that the time between New York and Bremen be
extended to the first OF July, 1850, and that the term of
the contract be made ten years instead OF i've may be
doubtful whether this to be considered as running from
the time stated the endorsement from that fixed in
the original contracts but II there is the least ground Tor
difference OF opinion, there is doubt that the company
will claim the longer term, and that Congress will
matter OF course according TO its usual inclination, decide
favor of the claimant But taking the most favorable
cnn cfi of The n
1857 This enormous increase of expense in favor
of parties who have special claim upon the favor OF
the government, and for contract which will make no
important return TO the government either in respect TO
mail facilities the means OF naval defence. The best
that be done at present is 10 separate this question
from the general appropriation BILL and let it be referred
with all its facts the Post Office other commit
tee consider the subject in all its bearings My motion
is to strike out not the 100000 for the part OF the line
in operation but to strike out the additional appro-
praon OF $4,000 for the Have vessels proposed to be
added.
Mr. DICKINSON Mr. President
Mr. BADGER. Mr. President. rise to point Of
The PRESIDENT. The senator viii state his point
" Mr. a BADGER. Ii is that believe it is no, in order
for a to speak more than four times upon the
same subject [Laugbierl
Mr., DICKINSON. | have not spoken at all upon this
amendment. The senator from Florida [Mr. YuLEEl has
raised some new questions upon this contract repeat,
brought that contract before the Senate and stated all
there was about IT. IN every respect and particular from
PdIFI Uclote III pIeVhll, ana
this appropriation for the Havre branch OF this contract is
stricken out II will be readily perceived that the entire
contract is nvadated. The other parties will be under
no obligation 10 60 with the Bremen branch OF their
line unless they choose TO do So the contract being
entirety.
II based my arguments, the senator from Florida
seems to do, upon the supposton that the public officers
have heretofore and that they will hereafter violate their
duties, might probably agree with him but | do
nothing Of the kind proceed upon the supposilon that
they have heretofore and that they will hereafter per-
as and
ful public servants The senator than insinuaies
that the late Postmaster General, MIR. Johnson,
guilty OF some great Improperly the exercise OF his
duties IN this particular
Mr.. YULEE Excuse me did not characterize the
act at all merely stated the facts The act may be
proper an improper did not characterize IT.
wac careful not to do
Mr.. DICKINSON. No, sir; but he dwelt very EN-
phatcay upon it Every knew what he meant.
Mr. YULEE ] certainly thought II remarkable
MIR. DICKINSON. The inlmaton IS that Mr. John
acted with reference the fact that his term OF
office was about TO expire, and differently from what he
would have done at any other time, whereas the fact is
that this whole ystem OF mail steamers had been built
up under his supervision. believe too that whatever
else he may have been accused Of he accused
before OF beiag too enen the extension of contracts
for the benefit OF any He never accused OF be-
ing liberal TO extreme with the public money II was
a matter coming appropriately under his individual and
particular attention and take il for granted that was
matter upon which he had bestowed all the necessary
investigation, and, having considered it, he deemed
proper to finish il before he went out office.
Mr.. RUSk unterposng) Will the honorable senator
allow me TO read the law under which that change in the
contract was made
Mr. DICKINSON. Certainly, though believe have