Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-12-21

| plished in the present condition of the country,
we ought TO make an approach TO 1t as
nav be practicable
The Postmaster General is placed in n most
embarrassing position by the existing laws He
I Is Obliged TO larry these into effect he has no
other alternative. He finds, however thai this
cannot be done without heavy demands upon
the treasury over and above what is received for
postage; and these have been progressively in
creasing from year TO year until they amounted
( Tor the last fiscal year ending the 30ih Of June
/ 1855, To more than four millions and half Of
dollars; whilst 1t is estimated that for the pres
ent fiscal year they viii amount TO So 2G0 000-
! These sums are exclusive of the annual appro-
priailon of $a00.01o tor compensation for tie
mail service performed for the two Houses Of
Congress and the other departments and officers
/ OF the government In the transportation of free
matter"
/ The cause of these large deficits is mainly
attributable To the increased expense of trans
porting the mails. In 1882 the sum paid fo7 The
service was but q fraction above four millions
and quarter. Since that year it has annually
increased until 1898, il has reached more than
eight millions and eusrter and for the SER
vice ta $50 it is estimated that 1t Will amount
| To more than ten millions of dollars.
these receipts of the Post Office Department
can ne made to approach or equal Its expend-
turc, only 10y means of the Legislation OF Con-
gress.. In applying any remedy care should lie
taken hat the people should rot be deprived of
the advantages which they fairly enfitIt d to
enjoy from the Post Office Department. The
principal remedies recommended to the consd-
Grafton of Congress by the Post Master General.
are to restore the former rate of postage upon
single letters 10 hve cents to substitute for the
franking privilege the delivery TO those now en-
titled 10 enjoy it, post office stamps for their
correspondence, and to direct the depart uent in
making contracts for the transportation Of the
mail, TO confine itself TO the payment of the sum
tsyt
quirirg To be transported IN coaches or ear
riages of any particular description. Under the
present system. The expense To the government
| is greatly Increased, 10y requiring that the mail
/ shall be carried IN such vehicles as will accom-
I modate passengers. This viii be done without
pay from The department, over all roads where
/ the trade viii remunerate the contractors.
I These recommendations deser, the grave con-
sideration OF Congress
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
would again call your attention to the con-
structon of Pacific Railroad. Time and re-
/ Election have but served to confirm me IN the
/ truth and Justice of the observation which
I made this subject in my last annual message,
/ 10 which beg leave respectfully to refer
! II is freely admitted that it would be iuexpc-
4 dient for this government to exercise the power
/ of constructing the railroad bv It's own inimedi-
ate agents. Such policy would increase the
/ patronage of the executive to n dangerous
| tent, and Introduce system Of Johbng and
/ corrur tion which no vigilance on the part Of
/ federal officials could either prevent or detect
/ This can only be done by the keen eve. and ac-
tive and careful supervision, of individual and
Z private interest. The construction of this read
ought, therefore. to be committed to companies
/ incorporated iy State. other agencies whose
/ pecunIaIy interests would be directly involved
/ Congress might then assist them in the work by
/ giants Of land or of money, or both, under such
conditions and restrictions would secure he
/ transportation of troops and munitions of war
/ fee from any charge, and HAT of the United
; States mail at a fair and reasonable price
4 Tie progress Of events since the commence
menf OF your last session, has slowu how soon
/ difficulties disappear before arm and deter
I mined resolution. At that time, such Il road
was deemed hy wise and patriotic men 10 Le a
visionary project. The great distance TO he
T ovcrcou e. and the intervening mountains and
t deserts in tie way, were obstacles which in the
I opinion Of many, could not lie surmounted-
/ \ ON, after the lapse of single year, these oh
siacles, II has been discovered, far less form
I idaIlc tian they were supposed 10 be; and mail
stages, with passengers. now pass and repass
/ regularly twice in each week, hv common
wagon read between San Francisco and 81.
Louis and Memphis, in less thau twenty-five
DAYS Tie service has been regularly perlorm-
cd as it was III former years between New York
/ and this city.
ate money for the construction of ihIS road. ex-
/ cept derived from the war making power of the
/ constitution. there are important collateral con
/ Sidcratious urgirC TO undertake this work
81 eedIly UcSsIbie-
/ Tie first and most momeutouS Of these is that
such a read would he a powerful bond Of union
! Ietween the STATES. east and west of the Rocky
I Mountains. THIS IS so srneyideut as to need
no illustration.
But again. in 4 commercial roint of view,
consider this tie great question of the day
+ With tie eastern front Of our republic stretch
/ ing doug the Atlantic, and lis western front
along lie Pacific if all the parts should be uni
ted with a safe easy and rapid communication.
we must necessarily command n very large pro-
Vorticn of the trade both Of Europe and Asia
Our recent treaties with China and japan viii
J CTrn these rich and populous empires TO our
commerce and the history OF tie world shows
that IL ualion which has gained possession OF
the trade with Eastern Asia has alv avs become
wealthy and powerful. The peculiar geogTalh
ical position Of California and onr Pacific Ios-
/ sessions invites American capital and enterprise
into this fruitful field.
To reap the rich harvest however. it is indis-
peusally requisite that we shall have railroad,
10 convey and circulate It's products throughout
every : ction of tie Unicn. Besides SIch 4 rail
road throughout our temperate latitude. which
would not be impeded by The frosis and SHOWS
of winter nor by Tie tropical feais OF summer.
would attract to itself much of the travel and
the trade OF al! nations passing between Europe
oud Asia.
THE CASE OF THE SLAYER FCHo.
On the > st of August lat, Lieut. J. y. Aafit
Of the United States brig Dolphin, csTfur, q the
SLAYER Echo formerly the Putnam OF New Or
leans} near Key Verde, on the coast Of Cuba.
with more than three hundred African negroes
On board. The prize. under ihe command OF
Lieut. bradford. Of the United States Navy. ar
rived Mt Charleston or The 22d Of August. when
+ the NEGROES three hundred ana six IN number,
! vera delivered into the custody Of the United
States Marshal for the district of South Caroll
ma They were first placed in Castle PIuckuey,
and aflerw ards in Fort SunIter, for safe keep
f ing and were detained there until The ~ sep
( t.nber when the survivors. TWO hundred and
+ .averlv-ore n number, We're delivered On board
the United States steamer Niagara, to be trans
/ uorted 10 the coast ef Africa, under the charge
/ of agents Of the United States. pursuant to the
provisions of addition TO the acts nrohbit-
! -, The slave trade" Under the secoIsd section
+ ef This act The President Is authorized 10 make
! - Int;ors arh arrar zzamen.s Is le NY