The daily union., 1852-03-13

Z,
case Of private dam, certainly. for one wlll mol give
my vote against si which comes 80 recommended 70
me, ~. ,;Gn
gushed senator from North Carolina IS Tue bert uuss VI
his own course OF action as regards any measueo
quiring investigation and must be oil NINE thousn
he may suppose il is somewhat pfesunPtuous-h1cau
thus he nfers, and that is the only inference ron
remarks-for me 10 question an anterior decision oi ue
Senate and bill which they have previously passed, IN
nv Judgment, Ii The views entertained by that senator
carried oui, the corruption which would necessarily
exist in this government would become linlless
have heard great deal Of that in past times, and ~
think we are gong on pretty Wen ana pety Iespeoia
tably, and do not see any great corruption about H.
genteman--MrK Kuykendal-is one whom have known
for many years more worthy, respectable or homes.
man is not TO be found 10 the country; lie eonuae.ed
several years ago for line OF road, and has Jailed 10 re-
ceye the compensation due TO him Tor the service DE
performed having although possessed oi moderate lof
tane-inlnenced have no dSsbi. by Inc oes % ho, o
he was brok en- down by the loss As one oi lhe Com-
mtee OF Claims years since, and being also per
sonaly interested IN the fortunes OF inns gen.eah. 81
the Senae that this service OF carrying the mall III iou
horse coaches, and increased number OF times per
week lieu OF the two horse coaches called fof Dy Inc
contract, was undertaken by Mr.. Kuykenda upon the
expectation ii not direct promise, derived from he fost
master General that when the improved condition OF 'he
department would admit OF II be would ratify what was
undertaken, and the contractor should be paid accord
ngy The service undertaken because the necessi-
ties OF that line required IT, and because OF the us expec
taons derived from conversation with the Postmaster
General that when the improved condidon OF me rev.
OF the department would admit OF II he would ray
the I m and pay Ia nm sssoaSg
which will the inquiry OF the seAator from Della
ware. It is addressed to the Hon. George W Hopkins,
chairman of The committee upon this subject IN the House
OF Representatives. He says this:
" But such was the difference on the route IN question
that the twohorse stage service was accepted. WIN
ma. ne hghea service xnendures Of ,he
department. that time It's ncoe ana economy
the stage service. with the intention freely expressed "
Mr. Knykenda 10 order the higher service ING
means OF The department would authorze ~.
'Mr Kuykepdal then running fonr-horse coaches,
and it doubt in anticipation of such an order tha'
be continued that kind OF SERVICE and ran three tunes
week when he was bound to run but twice. ~
The anticipated Improvement IN the revenue qua not
have doubt Mr.. Kuykendal had hard time OF IL"
Although this does not affect the merits OF the case. YET
the claimant was only accepted as the contractor 1or
Of the three routes from Winchester TO Parkersburg
and as Mr. Kendall had no interest in the claim, and
states these facts only because he believed it 10 be just to
Mr.. Kuykendall, and believed them TO be strictly true.
have no doubt that is reliable, although he might not
have the records of the department before hun Now,
sir, submit whether, alleged BY the Post Once Com
mittee, this does not address itself to the equity OF Con-
gress This has expended his money in the public
service and expended at least upon the just expectation
that the service which he was performing would De Tecog
Missed by the department The fact is substanated by this
!
mark of the senator from North Carolina that, in general
should pursue that course II happens that examined
this case Tor the reasons have stated 50 lar as the
facts are concerned is certainly safe to rely upon the
recommendation OF committee hope, SIR, that the
bill will pass.
Mr. BORLAND | agree with the senators from Viz
gna and North Carolina with regard 10 the confidence to
be reposed in the report of committee as TO the facts
they may report and IN general have very great con-
hdence in the opinions OF committees OF this body Bn
sir the question raised here by the senator from Della
is not al all question of facts, of the opinions
upon which this allowance is proposed 10 be made This
letter OF the late Postmaster General was written, un-
dersiand, in 1884, after this transaction had taken
place, and when he was out OF the department Ii Is
letter written by private individual of his general ecol
lection OF certain transaction in the department. and in
tended 10 sustain this claim. 1t mere expression OF
opinion as understand -a declaration OF his general
recollection OF the occurrences in the department
But, MIR. President il seems to me, to look at this
matter in regard TO the principles involved, Will suggest
10 the mind OF every senaorl will not say the coup
on but the improperly, that may be practised on ac-
count oil the recognition OF any such principle by Con-
gress An advertisement is put the public newspapers
individuals in various parts OF the country are induced
TO forward and make bids, and take the contracts
upon The lowest terms. An individual comes forward,
with Others and makes bid much lower than any one
afford do the service for OF course he excludes
all competition, and gets the contract Ailer he has
performed the work, II we recognise the night oil the
Post Office Department 10 make him extra allowance
for increased service under any arrangement he may
choose TO make, we put in the power OF the Post Oice
Department 10 grant extra allowance as in years past
extra allowance mdue 10 diUiOst efkIy
contractor IN the country. We know very well what
complaint there OF the corruption which had crept
into the Post Office Department from making extra allow
10 mail contractors TO double the amount OF the
original contract, that fortunes were made out OF IT,
Suspicious attached 10 the whole administration
OF the Post Office Department, and the consequence was
that certain officers the department had 10 leave II,
whether they were well founded not cannot pre-
tend say that there any such abuses connected with
this only mention these facts 10 show that cor
rupons supposed 10 have crept into that depart
mont Such the public sentiment at that lime, and
controlling one, owing TO this discretion exercised by
the department change the whole character OF
tracts and make increased allowances.
This proposition, although no, of that particular char
acter, involves the same principle II puts up TO the
lowest bidder contracts for doing certain public service
All competition is excluded you admit that the Postmas
ter General have private under standing with OF
the contractors that, after he has entered upon the per-
Torrance OF the contract he is TO have favors shown
hlman increased allowance change in the contract
do not doubt that MIR Kuykendal, the senator from
Virginia represents him. ~ very correct man. My re
mar ks at all directed TO his particular case but 10
the principle which should recognise if we should al
low his claim. II that principle is allowed, the Postmas
ter General may change contracts every day IN any part
Mr. BADGER, Gin his scat) Not without our con-
sent.
Mr. BORLAND. We recognise here the validity OF a
private understanding, and they will upon ii OF
Even il their claims rejected by the department. they
will come before and having recognised the pfincpe
do not how reject other founded upon
precisely the principle, and upon the same ground
There has hardly been month OF my service here
when have not made application in behalf OF citizens
of my Stae-nail contractors-ior increased mall
fh.