The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-21

NV choose, and have monopoly, because the Post
master General would not be at liberty to contract with
H. DAVIS, of Massachusetts did not contemplate
Bring the right in the hands OF that company, but the
ere extension OF the line through them or their
Mr. RUSR This would have the same effect If the
bsmas,er General contract with the New Orleans
nd Galveston Transportation Company TO transmit a
& nonthly mail 10 Vera Cruz, as matter of course
e will do So as he has full authority under the bill for
While am up. will make further remark look
mon this asa very important route and that oug In
have been established before. Ii is only necessary
= far as the mail transportation is concerned, but also
n another point OF view. We have beendepending upon
Saye had with Vera Cruz. We have no regular line
N our own, and our commerce with Mexico and
Inc establishment OF iready relations with that country
kays always been under estimated Some wears AGO we
|haa an extensive trade with Mexico That trade has
|dwindled down very much, and mainly because OF the
|Llle intercourse between the United States and that
country The establishment, therefore, of mail line
while i would answer the purpose OF Transmitting the
mail matter, would very shortly in my opinion, more
Than pay the outlay Ii wond have the effect 10 create
Tor at least TO open commerce with Mexico Since the
establishment OF these lines 10 the mouth OF the Rio
|Gande, commerce has grown up with Mexico of some
live millions OF dollars Well, sir, before that was DONE
There not commerce there amounting to hundred
thousand dollars and, now from the best information
lean get the commerce upon the RIO Grande, established
|om the mouth OF that river at Point Isabel, during the
last year, has amounted TO five millions of dollars
government to increase the by direct appro
|Matons out of the national treasury shall not object
the passage Of this bill but If it be the object of the
government to conne operations to the legitimate
functions of the departments TO make the Post Office SER
ce pay for itself out OF the proceeds OF the service then
this bill ought not 10 be passed. When it up few
days since, objected to it upon general grounds am
opposed IN toto 10 all contracts that look to the building
up companies at the expense OF the national treasury
Now here IS an appropriation OF $4,000 Tor carrying the
na from New Orleans to Vera Cruz, distance of about
Mr. SOULE. -Four hundred
Mr. BRIGHT. Understood i. to be about three hun
|ed miles. Such is my recollection. But suppose it to
be four hundred We propose TO pay $75 900 per annum
the transportation Of the mail four hundred miles
Why, sir, daily mail is carried from Cincinnati to Lou
|sville distance OF hundred and fifty miles, for 49,
poo pei annum and why should give s75 900 per
bum for carrying atri-weekiy mail between New Orleans
bnd Vera Cruz!
A SENAToR. Tri-monthly.
Mr. BRIGHT. Still worse tri-monthly mail Now
say if il be the objec; of this government to build up
bnd encourage commerce, it directs contribution for
(hat purpose from the national treasury. Here is OPP
ortuniy afforded and be the object OF the Post Office
yice between these two points to pay as it goesand
Undertake say that that the policy of this govern
hentwe to lose largely by tie adoption Of this bill
And upon this ground oppose it. am very sorry to
der from the senator from Louisiana. but have looked
this since IT was up, with view TO adapt
ny opinion to his if possible; but forced believe
That this is another of the several abuses have
eed upon, and that in proportion as we pass such
measures, in that proportion will they press upon
5hnk sir, we have arrived at point where should
top, or lay down the rule that, unless service will
bay its way the government ought not 10 pay for il
pitts treasury For this reason object 10 the passage OF
nhe bill.
| Mr. SOULE. hope the senator from Indiana will
withdraw his objections when he considers what the OBJ
cs that to be promoted by the passage of this
l As was very properly remarked by the senator
rom Texas although the purpose of carrying the mail
not the only which this bill is intended TO effect,
perceive tina. wherever any will collate
ally improve the mercantile relations OF this country with
neghboring countnes, we should avoid passing such
measures may be calculated to develop and promote
hese objects There time, sir, when the
herce between Mexico and this country very extern
i've At that time we had almost twothrds of the
whole bullion that from that country At present,
account of the utter want OF means OF intercourse be-
the two countries, not only deprived of the
benefits which would arise to this country from that
bf the many branches of with that country
but, from the fact that the English mail steamers have
been lately discontinued we have no means at all
communicating with Mexico Now, would sub
he interest Of the United States to promote social
hnd mercantile relations with Mexico and whether
Pc will find that it is too heavy an expense to this
government that the sum designated in this bill should
be appropriated for that object And would further
emark that the of from the post Office
apartment in New Orleans amounts to about st7oo.
applying that excess OF revenue-which will by no
Means be i'll treatment TO the Post Office Depart
hent-to the demand now made from Congress- 1t will
perceived that the difference a very trfng one
d from the of the relations existing between
BY the establishment OF such line, IT is more than
kelly that before months shall have elapsed the whole
Expenditure will be covered by the proceeds of the mail
batter hope, therefore, thai the will not press
bis objection, and that the bill will pass
| Mr. HAMLlN. | have risen, Mr.. President, only to
sy that the senator from Texas Mr.. HousToNl is not
BOW in his seat and he were present. he would proba-
by vote for this bill, agreed with him would moi
ote upon any question where took opposite sides
md therefore shall not vote against this bill, as 9th
rwse would do.
Nj BRIGHT. A single word in reply to the senator
ION Louisiana Ii the consideration presented by him
% important that this service should be adopted, could
pot be induced yield my objections by provision that
would direct the Postmaster General dispose OF con-
act carry the mail between those points upon the
by which contracts OF similar character are
sposed of The bill as framed authorizes the con.
racing officer 10 pay $4,000 per annum. That is too
much enurey-too much by at least one half Any
fentleman who will make calculation as TO what i
pill cost TO steamboat between these two points
will see at that, ii they were not TO carry
lassenger pound OF freight, the amount paid out o
be national treasury would deay the expenses Of the
me Now, II the honorable senator will so frame the
VII put this contract To the lowest bidder and give
DC world opportunity bid for it. will forego my
Objection, and consent to pay S75 900, If much
equred, for the purpose OF increasing the
Mr.. SOUBE The reference made IN the bill 10 exist
ing laws places the contract precisely upon the ooung al
uded TO by the senator Ii ~ intended 10 be placed
he disposal al the Postmaster General and to be awarded
the lowest bidder. The amount Of SIS 900 is the
osuve amount TO be expended by the Post Office Depart
nent bui y Is The limit imposed by the law 10 the
mount OF the expenditure which may be allowed to be
incurred But will accept any amendment prooosed bl
Die senator that will reach his object,
Mr. BRIGHT The limitation in all bills framed moor
pc principle OF his as experience proves, is the very
mount for which the contract will be taken Ever,
ensor present who is convetsant with such cases viii
ear witness to that Whatever limitation is imposed b,
bill OF this character IS The HIce al which the conirac