The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-06
SPEECH OF HON. T. J. RUsK,
OF TEXAS,



The Senate having under consideration the bill to sup
ply deficiencies the appropriations for the service of
fiscal year ending both June. 1852 the pending question
being on the amendment proposed by the Committee
Finance, as follows
For additional compensation for increasing the trans
portaon of the Unes States mail between New York and
Liverpool, the Collins line of steamers to twenty
trips at such times shall be directed
Postmaster General in conformity his last annual report
Congress- aud his letter OF the 18th OF November
the Secretary OF the Navy commencing said increased
vice the 1s OF Janusy 1884, the OF s33 600 per
rp: in lieu OF the present allowance, the OF S2s6
Mir. RUSK said Mr. President, / ask the indulgence
OF the Senate while make few remarks on the pend
ing amendment. which regard very important In
doing so, | shall be as brief possible.
The question does not merely the continuance
OF the Collins line OF steamers, but it in reality involves
the issue whether shall continue or abandon the avs
tenn OF ocean mail steamers altogether IL is very evden,
10 me that the opposition TO this amendment is
much TO the increase OF service upon this line il is 10
the whole policy OF ocean mail steamers.
think the senator from Virginia Mr. HuNTERl has
not brought 10 its consideration his accustomed fairness
but has raised against II the cry OF monopoly" "pro.
tecuon, and other Arguments OF the class. The
subject has been treated with reference solely Of
the objects which Congress had in view in adopting this
policy and has been considered merely as means OF
making or OF losing money.
AT the time when this policy adopted in Is45, the
British government as is wei known, bad been for some
time engaged in the contract system not merely for the
purpose OF conveying the mails to different countries bu,
a, The same iime-and perhaps this was the most import
had hitherto been possible TO do, strong navy
10 OF war; well to extend her commerce. which
has always been the chief eemen, OF her great prosperity
and power The Arguments made OF at the time the
law under which this contract made was passed,
the necessity for providing carry the mails
facilitate intercourse with Europe extend our commerce
with other nations. and also to provide cheap and re
able OF defence the in case OF war and il
seems to that unless these propositions met and
IT be shown that this line has failed effect the objects
proposed, the argument in opposition 10 il becomes
failure. .0# #A
One eharge-and perhaps the most grave one--in The
mouths OF the opponents OF republican form OF govern
ment is that II Is unstable subject TO sudden changes
and ncapabledependent AS IL is upon the popular will
OF pursuing any steady system OF national policy Are
we now TO make good this charge This system has
been adopted alter mature debsaiion and Is intended TO
accomplish great national Objects and has been opera
ton but little two years Scarcely any policy in
40 short time ever gave promise Of such great results
and with an OVERLOOKING treasury asked suddenly
TO abandon 1t, without giving i anything like lair trial
Such course, think, would be unwise. There is no
monopoly IN this matters and, to set at rest that objection
will read section or two OF the law under which this
contract was made ..aa n1 fa* al.a ..ar
That the Posrmassr General OF the United States be-
and he is hereby, authorized under the and
son Of the Uaed States mail between any Of the port. Of
the United Stains and port or ports OF foreign power
be promoted and shall be his duty to report the mex
ensuing Congress copy Of each OF said contracts with
the returns OF the department win enable him to
do And such contracts may be msde shall spear to
the Postmaster 70 be by
est for any period than four years. and exceed
ing ten years
= dad b. IL further enacted That the Postmaster General
shall In all Of offers for carrying the mail
between sny Of the ports Of the United States and any for
egn port place. give the preferences 10 such bidder for
the shall propose 10 carry the mail In
ship ships and the said contractor spustng deliver
said ship ships tho United States their proper
officer upon demand made, FOR the purpose Of being
vered into vessel or vessels OF war; the United States
being eoapd 90 ,hs. part TO psy 2 said ow1e. ?. owners
such delivery; ssid value 70 be ascerptned by four sp.
States, and Two by the owner o. owners and In cate Of
among said appraisers, the President OF the
United sses selsct AID appoint umpire who shall
fin the vsue' ~ boss DID ste Hf sf AN stat.f4 f4e
That Law exhibits no Partially for any particular com
pany There is nothing like monopoly established,
The law leaves the contract open 10 caplts and enter
PRISE wherever found, instead OF beinG confined 70 any
areular section OF place Az the senatof wl co!lect
pof believe he was member OF the Other House q!
The tine,) good many other reasons were urged and
ieened 10 Ne conclusive in avo oil The adoption OF the
policy IN Question By the government ofhe uhsd States