The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-08

OUR FACILITIES ON THE lsTHMuS OF PANAMA.
The Postmaster Generals report makes curl
Gus exhibit Of the position held by the Panama
Railroad Company towards the government. We
have already shown its position as to the course
it wishes the administration to pursue in relation
to the seizure OF the Isthmus, or if that cannot
be effected, that the government should come
forward and pay five or ten millions of dollars
for its purchase with the sole object Of enhanc-
ing the price of its stock, and comforting q value
upon the now worthless lands which it has OBJ
tanned from the government Of New Granada by
its charter. The tenor Of the Presidents mes
sage gives too much reason to suppose that these
spectators have obtained the ear OF poor Pierce
and that they constituted the inspiration of the
message in its erroneous statement Of the pend
ing questions with New Granada. As for the &C
QUESTION of the Isthmus OF Panama as territorial
possession by this government, no man
tan fail to see that it would constitute point Of
weakness in the national domain, and perhaps
give rise to ncessant conflicts with other govern
ments.
But while the railroad company is thus seek
ing official aid to raise the price of its stock
in Wall street, when it comes to the question Of
rendering a service to the public, or to the Post
Office branch of the government, its selfish in
stincts impel it to act in directly contrary
sense. In the tariff of charges for transit over
the road we find that express matter is taken at
ten cents per pound other freight, which the
company is obliged to handle, pays fifteen cents
hut the United States mail the company will not
convey over its road for less than twenty-five
cents pound. This enormous charge gives it
compensation during the present year, for a mail
carried twice month each way, equal to double
the amount paid to the Erie road for carrying
the mail seventy.s times month over nearly
ten times the distance of the Panama road.
The Postmaster General deemed this charge
exorbitant and refused to pay more than
eighteen cents per pound which was GER
tainly very liberal compensation. As long
as rival route existed through Nicaragua,
the company seemingly assented to this reduc-
ton of their demands; but no sooner was that
route stopped by the seizure Of the property Of
the Transit company by Gen. Walker, than the
Panama railroad, availing itself of its monopoly,
refused to convey the California mails for less
than its original demand of twenty-five cents a
pound; and moreover, that the back difference
which had been withheld by the Postmaster Gen
eral should be paid to it. In view of the bank
ruptcy and ruin that might ensue to large por-
tion of the commercial community by a cessa-
ton of the mails between New York and San
Francisco, Mr.. Campbell was compelled to accede
to the demand The company is evidently trying
to play the game Of heads win, tails you lose.
The Postmaster General, in view Of these facts
and Of the great increase of our trade and cor
respondence with the Pacific. asks for some ac-
ton of Congress in the matter, and for weekly
mail to California by any other route. Let us
have it, by all means. Where is Tchuantepec?
Where is Nicaragua?