Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-01-22
SPIRIT OF THK MORNING PRESS

Inc On'on morali1es over the condition O
politics in Massachusetts and virginia. and
exposes the Inconsistency cf Col. Benton NM,
TIE subject Of the Pacific railroad.
The Infeltteencer's editorial of TO- dav il
upon the Collins steamers, of which it saws.
Aitheagh We have always shared in the
general feeling of national pride inspired b,.
se triumph OF this magnificent line of steam.
eis over all ether ocean steam lines, and the
great credltlt has reflected on Americ an naval
s.ii ana energy; and although we have felt
under personal obligation to some Of the er.
ceilent commanders Of the lire for kindness
and attention 1T sea to those dear To ma VIC
have neVertheless taken no individual mart IN
us much discussed transactions With ths Co
eminent. The dreadful personal LereaTs
ments, eonever, and the great pecupjarv loss
~nica the owners sustained by the dsstruc on
'" the Arctic few months ago, have svelIed
O.L IeennS Oh admiration for noble CONNER.
cisl and naval enterprise into a sentiment Of
sympathy and regard for the line, which we
are free 10 admit, and which we as freely
aVoW, makes rs desirous of seeing iosterin !.
ana hbsral hand continued to it by the Gov !.
ernment. Influenced by this sentiment of cd
VIII, We place IN our columns the ANNEXED
enef notes respecting the Collins contract
Win the Government, prepared by a frieu d
VINO mas not a dollars Pecuniary interest In
Il, and Tno Is actuatsd by the same dIsin,sr.
ested motive that We ourselves are.
POINTS on the G0csrnnlsnt Cortyaet WITH IN,
Collins Line
First, that the contract cannot eoeitsbly be
broken W, because-
1. IL was made in view Of q permer ent mol.
icy, and called Tor extensive arrangements
Asnd il raised reasonable expecta4i ions thai q
long as the stipulations and duies of the cor
tractors were well performed, they would be
protected by stable policy on the part Of the
tovernnent during the entire term of the COZ.
tract.
2. The 'sotice Is predicated, it is to be pre-
sumed, upon some default or dereliction of
duty on the part of the company, ON qo6d
eIHss SkOacH. The power to give the notice is
MOI to be exercised cap.i;iously, to the injury
OF individuals contracting with the Govern
ment and relying upon its good faith and the
stability of its declared policy, nor at all with
out failure of satisfactory performance on
the part OF the contr actors, or 10 view of some
public and urgent necessity.
g. The report of the Postmas General
shows that the duties of the contractors have
been well and satisfactorily performed, and
mat they have fulfilled every expectation en-.
fsrtained by the Government when the c,n.
tract was made
The power to give the notice in principle
and eject is no; unlike the power reserved by
Legislature to = alter, modify, or repeal" a
charter, which power, it is agreed, cannot be
nghtfully exercised SO long as those acting
under the charter neither neglect their duties
nor Transcend their powers
Second.-Fairness and magnapimitv forbid
that the Government sh Juld at this iuucture
cut this line adrift alter it has faithfully and
calamity performed great public services.
l. cause, in giving the prestige of supre
macy to the American marine, they have ma e
efforts and incurred expenses which have pre-
Guided them from any profit on their capital,
to the stockholders since they commenced the
service.
2 Because, while engaged in a service truly
nauonal and deserving q national protection
they have lost in one Of their vessels, the Arc
tic, above insurance, about $lS ]. 900.
s. IL the contract is continued another ship
superior 10 either Of the Others is to be built
"lnin TWO years, or as soo1 as possible, and
Put upon the line, and this ship will cost Ia e
whole OF next years earnings.