True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-29
The Collins Steamers.

We were under Misrepresentation as to
the nature of the amendment relating to
the Ocean Mail Steamers Incorporated into
the naval appropriation bill on the last
nighto the Session of Congress. We sup.
posed it contained the vetoed provision
surrendering the power of Congress to ter
inmate by notice the extra allowance to
the Collins line. But the fact is it only
made the necessary appropriations for the
year in conformity with existing contracts,
the necessity of doing which nobody dispu-
ted. Hence the unanimity with which it
was voted.
The facts relating to the Collins line are
briefly these:
In 1917, Collins and his associates pro.
posed to build five Steamers adapted to war
purposes, subject to be taken by the Gov
ernment at any time when needed at an
appraised value, and to transport the mails
from New York to Liverpool and back for
ten years, twenty times year for 1885,
900 year, or sl9,25O per round trip.
The Government accepted this Offer
Collins proceeded to build some of the
Steamers, but soon complained of want Of
funds, and applied to the Government for
aid. The Government complied, and ad.
vanced $4,000 per month on each of two
or three Steamers until they were compile.
ted. These advances have yet been repaid
in very small part. Some two or three
hundred thousand dollars are yetdue.
In 1850, the mail service commenced in
one of rhe Steamers. and soon after anoth-
er was completed and put into the Line,
and finally four were completed. The
fifth Steamer has never been built.
In 1852, Collins applied to Congress
for another extra allowance, alleging that
he had lost money, &C., &c. The Baltic
was bcought round into the Potomac, mem
bers of Congress were feasted and other.
wise piled, and the extra allowance was
granted to tho tune of $473,00O per an-
mum. The number of round trips was in.
creased to twenty-six per annum, making
the aggregate compensation 1858, 900 per
year, or S33, 900 per trip. The act making
this allowance contained a proviso that after
the 3lst of December 1854, Congress might
terminate the extra allowance would make
good their losses. ..
At tho recent session, Collins applied tc
Congress to give up the power of termina.
ting the extra allowance by giving notice
and thus virtually to subject the whole mai
service between New York and Liverpool
to the absolute control of gigantic mo-
nopoly, free from all supervision or effec
tive check by Congaess.
This was consented to by the House
Messrs. Olds and Disney of this State
heretofore strenuous opponents of the mo
nopoly, now voting to surrender even the
power Of terminating the extra allowance.
In the Senate the proposed surrender was
vigorously resisted, but was finally carried
by majority of one vote. The earnes
opponents of the monopoly, both in tn,
House and in the Senate, were in favor Of
giving the notice Immediately to terminate
the extra allowance, but we're out number.
I'd BY tho old and new friends of it. They
were even more earnestly opposed to sur
rendering the power to give the notice
but were outnumbered in this also.
The Bill, embod ying the surrender, pas
scd both Houses, and was vetoed. The
amendment, incorporated in the Naval Ap
preparation Bill, simply made the nccessa
ry appropriations, without any such sur
render. 1t was not therefore obnoxious t
the objections which justified and required
the veto.
The Senator's frlm Ohio voted uniform
ly against the monopoly. We hope tn
next Congress will give the notice Obi
columbian.
n s---------.-4---+NoeS--------
NEA Two lines are worry covenieni io NJ