The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-28


tons the Committee the Post Office and Post Roads
TO think for believe they have reported ayoraby
upon it. take il that 1t Is and allow to say that
IL Is an able committee and the House has confidence in it.
The bill not introduced without careful consdera-
ton and sufficient guards and restrictions have been
thrown around it TO protect the interests of the
ment The Postmaster General recommends in his letter
to that committee the necessity of weekly mails from the
United States to California What does this bill propose
To give weekly mail in connexion with lines already
ablshed, to and from California What else Does it
propose to advance the funds of the government in order
to carry out this contract has been done former
casons2 No. sir Does il propose take the vessels off
the hands OF the contractors for purposes, any
other? No. sir il merely proposes TO test the principle of
rapid and economical communication which is contained
IN IT at the expense OF whoever may undertake to execute
II is expressly provided in the bill that the Postmaster
i no. Fl e make any ad
or aid of the undertaking. for the and benefit the
parties contracting And it still further provides that
the parties so contracting shall in event receive from
government increased compensation
need hardly allude to the large additional compcnsa
tion which made by the last Congress magnificent
line OF steamers for carrying the mail but like
renee is provided against in this bill.
again provided that the shall be taken
continue for term of ten years 1t may be said that this
will be giving company monopoly for tlengh
of time but if gentlemen will examine another portion
of the BILL they viii that such monopoly not grant
od And why2 If it shall be ascertaned that any other
party it in less space of time than the contract
ing party the contracting party is to be superseded by the
said other party who shall agree to carry the mail in
any circumstances to be allowed to claim thing in the
shape Of damages Here the provision as is contained
in the bill
"SEc g. And be it further enaced That it, ut any time
during the existence OF this contract any other individuals
company shall establish speedy conveyance of the
proof the Postmaster General that said has
been In successful operation for three consecutive months
General transfer this contract to said individual or com
pa whereupon the former individual shall not
be deemed to have any claim for damage or otherwise,
against the government
Sir the magnitude and Importance of this proposition
hope will secure the earnest attention of the members of
this House We told every day that the mail facilities
of the inadequate the Of the
try. We told that the of the department is
falling off If this state of things is continued for any
length of time Congress win either be forced to place the
department in position where it defend ITSELF where
il compete successfully with lines established by pri
vae enterprise they will be forced to pay the expenses
of maintaining these facilities from the treasury of the peo
pie or to abandon the whole service to the of private
individuals One Of these consequences will inevitably
follow, unless devise measure plan, by
which we may mpart life ygor and healhful action to
this branch of our national service.
Sir, is II not matter of the highest importance that
the arteries and veins which convey the blood of the
government from its to its circumference should be
in heathul condition. Is itnot of vital Importance that
we keep watchfu eye upon the healthu condition of the
arteries and veins of the country in the way of postal
rangemens2
Why, sir, in England where they have reduced their
rates of postage TO nominal sum, the de-
rived from the service Of that department II
bill exravagant The proposed 10 be appropriated
large but you will take into consideration the amount
of time which win be saved to the business community
will prove great saving TO the country by adopting this
bill At any rate il Is worth trying by way of testing the
principle admit that it is but experiment. but ii is
which worthy Of being tested at some expense
But il requires no expense The service by the of
the bill must be performed before the pay commences
that the increased that will be received from the
increased patronage will defray the current expenditures
of the contract propose to test the principle at the ex-
pense Of whoever be disposed to make the contract
accept the proposition II will require admit some man
Of nerve, and with large II remarked to me
this morning tina, my bill would probably fail from this
consideratonthat ii would favor the Tohuantepec route
wish it distinctly understood, that If the Tehuanepec
route the shortest and the mails be carried it
the quickest then is the route which favor In such
that is the route of the bill If the Nicaragua is the
quickest route very well fany other route is the quick
est make contract for IT, desire it to be distinctly
dcrstood that the bill provides for particular route
only refers to the shortest and the quickest time
Without putting the government 10 any expense pro-
pose offer induccmcn, for the Development of nd
vidual enterprise and the power Of steam We have the
elements in the country and the importance Of rapid
communication with western frontier makes II neces
sary thnt we should adopt by which we can
derive that advantage If II be done without enormous
expenditure of the public money This plan win
plish IT,
said that this was mere business transaction Look
ing at il in that point Of view, readily calculate the
cost and probable profit attending the execution of the
contract No individual who will take the bill and make
the calculation looking to all the results both beneficial
and adverse fail to TO the conclusion that
at least worthy of test especially when would not cost
the government any thing
But have already detained the House longer than in
tended The matter is Of considerable Importance !;
and trust that have been able to convince the House
is worthy of their consideration
II may be said that there Is nobody In the country who
willing to undertake tho contract have been informed
that such IL not the fact that II win be readily accepted
and cause competitors from all sections Of the Union with
ample and gigantic intclects In their way, ship
builders and shpownes Of experience and who have
patriotism and fortune enough to embark in the enterprise
They will test the principle without asking Of the govern
ncnt single dollar.
If sufficient attention already been given tho b
Il is not strange If ask that 1t have carly passage but
do not desire to put IL its passage once unless such
may be the pleasure OF the House II has been published
in this mornings Globe, and every gentleman has had
opportunity to look into il; and the Committee the
Post Office and Post Roads have reported ayoraby IT,
III II be not the pleasure Of the House consider IL at
once shall ask that its consideration be postponed for ten
days
Mr.. SMITH, Of Virginia The gentleman has submitted
motion which cuts of debate and as desire to be heard
the subject trust that he win withdraw IL and yield
the floor.
Mr.. CHURCHWELL do not desire a postponement
can geta vote on II yield the floor 10 the gem
tleman
The SPEAKER. The motion TO postpone Il withdrawn
q Mr SMITH of Virginia, said, in substance
Mr. Speaker; Sir, doom this Of the important
bills that have been presented TO the country many
long day II Is known TO the House that tbe old practice
which has prevailed in reference has been
in conformity with the impatient and progressive spirit
the age Persons make contracts now-a-days and you
make improvements them with regard Ia speed
without large additions TO the expenditures.
have the experience Of siago contract in my own dis
trct In which the time under the contract made nj former
letting twentynne hours, and the necessity for in
creased expedition upon that has actually induced
<l.a. ,tra,t. ID