The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-09-11
Conversational Book Trade.

Very few persons have an idea of the many bare
faced frauds practised upon the people by their
Representatives in Congress, in voting to them,
selves enormous amounts of money under the
pretext that the money goes for the purchase OF
books. This book subject has been often before
Congress, and has been sometimes checked, but
selfshness is more frequently in the ascendant,
and it breaks out occasionally in such a rampant
manner, that members of Congress themselves
feel ashamed of the practice.
Mr.. Benton recently made speech upon this
custom of furnishing members of Congress with
books, in which he shews up the practice in all
its deformjty. He says that the members not
only sell the books when they get them, but also
that it frequently happens that the books order
cd to be procured are out of print, and that the
money, instead of remaining in the treasury, is
paid over to the members. Now, is not this
monstrous abuse. The law fixes the pay for the
services of member of Congress-, and makes it
ample for any decent mans support Thous-
ands of dollars have been voted for the establish
mcnt of Congressional library, to which every
member who desires it, can have recourse.
There is, then, no excuse that books are want
ing for the information of members of Congress
who choose to be informed, without mourning
these continued and increasing expenditures,
which are unwarranted by justice OF necessity.
Will not the press say something on this sub
ject?
To ScHoo1. OFrIcERs.-We are requested to
call the attention of school district secretaries to
the provision of the school law, in which they
will perceive that the time has arrived for max
ing their annual reports to the Fund commission
err This duty should neither be neglected or
postponed, as the apportonment of school monies
must be based upon these reports. We trust
that officers will appreciate the necessity of max
ing full and early statements of their school dis
tricts.
CHANGE OF Posi- MAsrER.--Wc understand
that J Jonas Clark has been appointed Post Mas ter
at Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, in place
of Galman Livermore removed.
The Office under the charge of Mr.. Geo.
Lyon, the gentlemanly Deputy Of Mr.. Liver
more, has been managed in most acceptable
manner, so for our interests have been affect
ed, and we are sorry to lose him, but doubt not
that Mr.. Clarke will prove equally acceptable.
We feel much interest in the subject of Post
Roads, Post Offices g. Post Masters.
EASTERN MA1L.-We have alluded to the
irregularity ofths mail time and again-we have
as often called the attention of the Post Office
Department to the same subject. We have en-
treated our Senators and Representatives in
Congress to attend to wants in procuring a
speedy and regu lar eastern mail, bat all has been
vain. -... a.. a.
The contractors come and 60 when they
choose, and not till then. Our mail lies at Ga
lena over Sunday as if it were the end of the
route, and contrary to the schedule and contract
We. have been informed that due notice of these
delinuuencies have been forwarded from the
Post Office at this place to the Department al
Washington this too has had no effect
What is to be done? Must these things be
borne? Must this community be placed by the
Post Office Department at the mercy and con
venience Of a Mail contractor? We say no
We tell the Department emphaticaly, No.
We call upon our Representatives in Congress t.
demonstrate against this abuse, and we call upor
the Department to heed the remonstrance.
Let us have the mail at the promised and pait
for time, or if that is impossible, let the time b.
changed by law. a
From the Panama Star of July Goth.
The steam ship Columbia sailed on Wednes
day with the mails for California, and about 35
passengers.