The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-13


ou according TO he specifications, and subject TO AL h
eanses Of the A. Iiarrs beneficial 10 the United
70 include In the arrangement such provision for the
transportation oithe letter only, n the steamships OF
he saa contractors running between New York and Cha
stes as IN MS npinion the public service demand
not exceeding IN the whole the amount herein limited
1t is supposed that these contractors who own the
ships on the Pacific line. having vessels also>running
from New York 10 Chsgres. may be induced without
additional charge TO take the eer-mas that accumulate
between the sailing OF laws line and the sailing of their
line, which is for period OF about two days II is sup
posed that this can be done withou, any additional
charge, and suppose that there will be objection TO
The question being taken upon the amendment. it was
agreed TO-
Mr. P Here is another amendment which am in
sructed TO offer:
semi. monthy service already performed between Panama
and California and Oregon, aud for such service Tor The
at which additional mail service may be ordered under
existing laws and shall DC paid oa! o. any nnexpsnded
service"
1t is in reference to past services and such as may be
performed during the rest OF the present year The Post
master General made the arrangement that they should
be paid for, ii Congress would authorize it, al rate not
exceeding the rate paid 1t is proposed put il at
three -fourhs leaving the past services upon the same
footing as future services.
The question being taken upon the amendment. ii
was az reed TO.
! Mr. P move to strike out, then, from the word
provided" in line twenty sixth section This
provision sproposed 10 be stricken out and not prop
erly belonging to that section and is to be eins,aed
the seventh section hereafter.
/ The amendment was adopted
Mr. p move to strike out. on page six, line twenty
seven, etc. and insert the following
"P,ouided, That whenever better between the At
antic and Pacific ocean is estabished the Secretary of
the Navy and the Postmaster General authorized to
change the terminus of the additional semnonthy
hereby authorized TO secure The advantage OF
G ana IN case % ms ON
between the parties the shall be referred Congress-
and the Postmaster General also authorized TO axe
responding arrangements with the present contractors Tor
the transportation OF the mail from New York TO Chsges
such better ioue be established, Postmaster General
shall be and hereby authorized to enter into contracts
between Chagtes and Panama with regularity and des
patch Psoptde9, The rate OF compensation shall
ta5shmen, of anv new route between the two oceans Of
| fering greater despatch and economy"
suppose it is hardly necessary read the section, be-
cause the very object accomplished by the amend
men being only put in different words The intention is
authorize the Postmaster General to change the tem
nj of the road when overland communication made.
government who performs his services very badly. Our
mails very heavy-the last one that went from New
York weighing twelve thousand pounds The conlrac
tor being unable 10 carry all the mail, sometimes leaves
twenty or forty bags behind. This amendment is TO
authorize the Postmaster General without imparng The
contrac, that have in New Granada TO make such
rangemen with the of all parties TO have the
mail carried by other routes by the owners OF the ship
lines, heregentemen who are now executing contract
be no objection to this amendment.
The question being taken upon the amendment II was
agreed TO.
/ Mr. L. | am lnstrucedto oner another amendment as
follows
" For preparing Ior publication the American Nautical
Almanac nineteen thousand four hundred dollars"
That was regularly estimated for, and reported in favor
of by The committee of the House. but the House disa
greed to IT, The committee OF the Senate recommend
It's adoption 1t is proposed to put the officer having
cha rye Of the making of the nautical almanac upon
the footing OF the oce having charge Of The observatory
preparation for the nautical almanac am told by those
who know that these nautical amanacs can be bought for
sixpence apiece and we are now aPpTopra'ng $4,000
for the purpose of paying Tor It's publication.
Mr.. PEARCE. The senator IRON Alabama lMr.
CLEMEssl is little mistaken about the pnce But that
does not make much difference There is an English
nautical almanac, upon which nav gators generally rely
but thought by Congress- after mature delibera
ton, that it desirable to have nautical almanac OF
own, and not be dependant upon the calculations OF
foreign astronomers but to have establishment OF
own in which could make the calculations for a
ica almanac of our own for our own naval vessels II
is matter of scientific pride Besides ii is something
more than that 1t is but right that commercial and
maritime power like ours with the largest tonnage in the
world taking into consideration our domestic and foreign
commerce-it exceeds that of Engand-shoud establish
a national observatory and have also nautical alma
nae which lis necessary to complete our system OF nav
cation But will not not sexpailae upon this subject
! MIR CLEMENS 1t is plainly admitted by the senator
from Maryland that this is matter OF national pride
think II rs paying pretty dear lor the WHISTLE we are
paving $4,000 Tor this almanac, and il is proposed in
addition to pay this officer about $4,000
| Mr. PEARCE. He will get about 81 800 in addition.
| Mr. CLEMENS. | think that II is post.captain's
pay that he gets And must ask the yeas and nays upon
the motion that made to strike out the whole appropa
tion.
MIR PEARCE. Ii Is indispensable to navigation that
almanac should be had for ship cannot navigate with
out it all, any more than without chart
| Mr.. CLEMENS. The appropriation was made last
year for this almanac, and it has not been seen yet
| Mr.. PEARCE. am not prepared to say that the al.
manac has never been made
Mr. HALE. want to say word with regard to this
amendment which the committee proposes, and want 10
say it in Justice other officers OF The navy This
gent, eman if understand Alright, is lieutenant in the
navy All the other euenants in the navy receive but
| about 81 500 or 81, 500.
| Mr.. CLEMENS. 81 200
! Mr.. PEARCE, $500.
| MIR HALE. Very well; they receive 81 500. Now,
the from Maryland says that have established
national observatory. IL would be very curious thing
to look back and how that observatory has grown up
out of depot for charts into light house OF the skies
1t has grown up gradually There act establish
what it is The lieutenant in charge OF il is put upon
the pay commander and receives $1,000 year.
and you propose 10 give $4,000 year TO this lieu.
tenant who is 10 prepare this nautical almanac And
understand that there is another amendment of the
m,ee, proposing give SO 900 more for some expert
mens that to be made by another Lieutenant. Now,
here three leuenans in the navy who are staying at
home, sitting by their hesdes provided by the gov
enment with quarters and everything necessary TO make
them comfortable who to receive $1,000 a year !;
while the rest of them who sent all over the world
TO battle with every cline and every season, to contend
with the ,empess and the elements receive only
Sl5oo or $500 ayear Now, think II IS unjust