The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-03-14
Veto Of the Mail Steamer Bill.


it may appear to place too
much power in the hands Of single per-
son, yet its practical workings since the
existence OF our constitution, show that it
is little 10 be feared, and is means Of
vast evils. This has been fair
ly exemplifed in the recent vetoes Of Pres
ident Pierce, of the River and Ilarbor bill.
the French Spoliation bill, and the Mail
Steamer bill. The reasons for the veto
OF the first two named, we have given |
heretofore As will be seen by reference
to our congressional column, the an
nouncement Of the last created great ex-
ctement in the House, and gave rise to q
stormy discussion, which, however, was
cut short by the 'previous question.
Charges OF tyranny" despotism, "..and
other epi,hets made by members, are echo.
ed by the opposition press,wi,hout attempt
ing to show that the bill was merilorious.
The reasons given for the veto should sat
isfy any one Of its propriety.
The original contract made in 1s47
with f. X. Collins. provided. that he should
build four steamships within eighteen
months, and a fifth as soon after as prae-
ticabe, for the transportation of the mails
between New York and Liverpool, Tor
which no was to receive the sum Of three
hundred and eighty five thousand dollars
per annum. Which contract was bind
ing for ten years.
BY act OF Congress Of July 81, 1852.
the amount OF compensation TO the con-
tractors was increased from nineteen
thousand two hundred and fifty dollars to
thirty three thousand dollars trip, and
the number of trips from twenty to twenty
/ six each year-making the whole conpen-
sa,ion eight hundred and fifty eight thou
sand dollars per annum. During the Pc
riod Of time from the commencement OF
the service Of these contractors, on the
27,h of April, 1850, to the end of the last
fiscal year, June 80, 1854, the sum paid
TO them by the United States amounted to
two million six hundred and twenty thou,
sand nine hundred and six dollars, with.
OUT reckoning public money advanced on
/ loan TO aid them in the construction Of the
Iships; while the whole amour, OF postnges
4 derived to the department has been only
4 seven hundred and thirty.four thousand
and ffty.six dollars; showing an excess
of expenditures above receipts Of one mil
llion eight hundred and eighty.s thousand
! -four hundred and forty dollars to ths
charge of the Government. In the me al
time, in addition to the payments from th'
Treasury. the parties have been in the en-
Iioyment oflarge receipts from the trans
portation Of passengers and merchandise
: 1.-The profits Of which are in addition to tn
amount allowed by the United States.
> The act Of July 81, 1859, provides "tha
i lit shall be in the power Of Congress.
' any time after the 3lst day Of December
!. 1854, to terminal the arrangement tor tn
!. additional allowance herein provided 'or
upon giving SIX months notice." and
a will be seen that with the exception OF tn
d six addition al trips required by the act
e July 81, 1852, there has been no dePa'
y ture from the original engagement but
|. relieve the contractors from obligation
k and yet, by the act last named, the CON
8 pen sation was increased from three bur
q dred and eighty five thousand to- eigt
,.| hundred and fihy-eight thousand dollars
y with no other protection to the public il
II terests provided than the right which Cor
d gress reserved to itself to termin ate III
J. contract, 80 far as this increased .comper
o] sation was concerned. after six month
I. notice. This last provision, certainly
,e primary consideration for the more ge.
vi erous action Of the Government. the pre-
entsbin proposes to repeal, leaving Coz
rs gress no power to terminate the new a
5. rangement.
at While the contractors are to be paid
atl compensation nearly double the rate
inl the original contract, they are exempit
/? from several Of its conditions, which HI
OF the effect OF adding sill more TO that rat
is while the further advantage is concedt
to to them, Of placing their new privlleg
O.. beyond the control even Of Congresses
he To provide for making, a donation
re such magnitude, and to give TO the 9
rsngement The character ofspermanen
~ which this bin proposes. would be to d
We prive commercial en,erpsisesof the ben
IN. fits of.sfree competition. and tosestabHsh
ID, monopoly, in violation of the sounds
4, principles of public policy. and5of doui
- iul compatibility with the constitutions.
" After the reading OF the message.
'P- attempt was made to pass the. bill by
two thirds vote. which. signaily sfaile
ng The vote stood 70 affirmative and
70. negative.
- These three bills appropriated ma
~ millions of dollars, and were an act,
lse squandering Of the money. as in the Il
do two, or Of kind which. invariably lea