Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-07-16
The col,ins steamers. !,

We understand that Col Orr. of South Carolina.
yesterday proposed In the House Of Representatives
to amend the clause in the deficiency bill respecting
the Collins line of steamers, so as to increase the
compensation two hundred thousand dollars per an
mum, instead of about five hundred thousand And
the amendment was defeated by large vote We
are not certain whether those who thus voted ara
opposed to reduction of the increase proposed or
whether some of them are not opposed to any in
crease whatever. We think however that GIL Orr
deserves the thanks of the country for presenting
the true policy this subject This line of Collins
steamers established by contract. All were in
vted to make proposals. Mr.. Collins made the low
est bid and hence had the contract awarded him by
Congress Now, he and bis associates actually de-
mand. or request. that this compensation shall be
more than doubled although they do not pretend
that they have built all the ships required or that
the tonnage is than fifty per cent beyond the
requirements of the contract. For that excess we
would cheerfully compensate them, and that excess
would be provided for by Col Orrs amendment
But with that the company is NOT satisfied. They
demand about eight hundred thousand dollars per
annum-more than four hundred thousand dollars
beyond the contract each year. or between three and
four millions for the eight remaining years of the
contract If such demand is complied with. the
contract system principle. is at end. and eve
rythng in the public service will 60 by the arbitra
ry favor and discretion of Congress or parties in
Congress. Against this, we protest in the most en-
pbatic manner. And in order to illustrate the alb
surdty and inEttua'ion of such course we will re-
fer to the party and probable consequences of this
very measure-which We would not otherwise do.
We do not know all the stockholders in this COM
pany But we learn that the principal members
are Messrs. Collins Brown Brothers, & Co, and Mr..
Corcoran, of this city. These all Wings. and
Presidential canvass is impending. Now, if on such
an occasion an American Congress can vote for a
half million of extra allowance per annum. for
amendment which really amounts to q bonus in the
aggregate for the contract OF three fOur millions
of dolars-ifa Democratic Congress can do this,
why then we think it is time to climb down, as the
Indian said, who shot at bear, although he
had his red Ieggngs on.
The pretence with which some members are de-
ceiying themselves is that this is great national
rivalry for the ferriage of the sea- We consider it
rivalry, but no more of rivalry. not impor-
tant or honorable than that of the rivalry in the pro-
duction of wheat, cotton. anything else of Ameri
can ingenuity or labor that comes into competition
with British We agree with Senator Hunter in
that respect. We think the government ought to
pay according to contract. There are plenty OF
American shipbuilders and navgators, that will now
agree to surpass the Cunard lines at the compensa
ton Mr.. Collins now receves-or what we are will
ling to give him. But for this government to make
good private enterprise that has failed-to pay up
the deficit according to the actual account rendered
of the firm, is thing totally without precedent.
Now friendly to the naval mail steam pol
icy. We think liberal course ought to be adopted
in favor of it. We believe that if the Collins line
were compensated according to tonnage it would he
amply able to subsist But if this system or any
other really be upheld by repudlating the prin-
cpe of contract and adopting that of an arbitrary
elections are pending, go against all of them
T ot them 90 down -Noutber7 Press