The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-15
WASHINGTON CITY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1858.

mittee reported bill which would passed the SEN
ate by the change of single vote only, and at time
when had the certain OF its passage through
the other house t
The wisdom of our fathers inspired / believe they
were in their labor, framed this government with so
many nicely adjusted checks aud balances, that the
greatest considered in Congress have often
been decided by single vote and cannot contemplate
without pang of regret that the most disastrous
qnences may result 10 this country from the want of
vote on that OCCASION -Four years ago. bill reported
by me, chairman of a select committee more
oessul, it passed this body but, owing to either
reachery or bad management in the other House, 1T
failed TO become a law.
If the necessity aud benefcsnt effects of this
matter Of doubt should hesitate in thus earnest
y urging action upon it but Is there senator who will
rise in his place and say that the construction of this
road would not insure military protection and add to the
greatness and glory of the Republic The bittcrest
mics of this in this body acknowledge it, Even
the senator from Virginia, Mr.. MASON, In his speech
against this bill at the last session. admits that the build
ing of this road is desidemtum, and that "it would
be traught with great and beneficial results TO the
try if built
This being admitted, shall proceed to consider the
most plausible objections to this bill 1t is contended,
first, that Congress has constitutional power to enact
such law and secondly that the grant Of land Is
orbitan and the advance OF money credit by the gov
ernment in aid of the road will be enormous
These the general objections urged by those who
oppose government aid in any form, while other and
more formidable difficulties exist among tho friends of
the measure, growing out of sectional and local in
tcrcsts.
The senator from Virginia, MIR. MAsos,l whom look
upon the most determined OF all the opponents Of the
bill, says that the government authorized to cstab
lsh post Offices and postroads aud to carry the mails,
but 1t has no further authority on that subject"
This bill does not propose that the government shall
build road take stock give money to buid road
but simply provides that the PRESIDENT shall make
tract for the transportation by railroad, of its mails
troops, seamen, and munitions Of war.
That the government has right to provide for the
car pt mail is NOT lint thp
raised is whether it contract to have the mails
ried in certain manner' Now, this bill is founded
the principle that the government has the power TO
tract for the transportation Of the mails and prescribe
the mode Such has been the practice since its oganza
tion. Congress directed that the mails should be carried
on foot on horseback, in stage wagon, in the
first law establishing post Offices and post roads passed
the 26th OF February, 1892 The same power again
conferred the Postmaster General by the acts OF May
g. 1894 and of April 80, 1910. Afterwards, steam
boats became the most rapid of conveyance,
thory given by the act of Sd March, 1925 to the
Postmaster General 'to have the mail carried in any
steamboat other vessel which shall be used as
packet rs So t.#s
But coaches succeeded post-rders and steamboats,
followed, at last tlroads brought into compcti-
tion with, and, WI possible, superseded steam
vessels. BY the act July 7, 1888 it declared
that each and every railroad within the limits Of the
United States which is, hereafter may be, made
and completed shall be post route and the Postas
ter General shall the mail to be transported there
on, under certain conditions,
BY the of July q 1885, it was made the duty Of the
Postmaster General before advertising for proposals
for the transportation of the mails to form the best judg
ment practicable The n.o ti. and frequency Of trans
portdhoa each route, and to advertise accordngly
IL will thus be that it has been the practice Of the
government from its origin authorize to be
made for the conveyance of the malls that they might
be transported in such the Postmaster General
might elect.
But the honorable senator from Virginia [Mr MAsoYl
is fruitful in objections He not only intnatcs that Con-
fn
for the transportation of the mails by railroad to the Pa
cifc, contemplated by this BILL but he says, ii is in
tended TO invite, upon the bonus held out by the bill
operators from quarter to construct the road - and
here is "the commencement of policy on the part
of this government The argument is unfortunate for
the SENATOR among the very first acts of Congress
this subject approved the 3D. of May 1902 it is declared
in its third section
carrying OF the mail OF the
United sstes the main post road between Pctcrsug Virginia.
by is authorized and directed 10 engage and conao, with
companies adventurous the mail states
convoy therein ioride That the expense
thereof shall exceed equal onehird than the
whole the present the mail such road
horseback.'
1t will be that by this act the contract was to be
given to 'tany private companies or advcnturers not
only to carry the mail in coaches but provide pas
sengers and bonus of one third than paid
for horseback transportation allowed for these add
tona facilities in transporting the mails and passengers
submit to that senator whether after his State has had
the benefit of the laws which required the mail to be
carried in prescribed at increased rates. not
only In reference to speed but to the accommodation of
passengers is it equal and exact Justice question the
power of Congress to grant like benefit to California?
There is another popularity about this law 1t does
appear that stages running between Petersburg and
Louisville but that the sa was transported on horse.
back that Congress offered Inducements 'adven-
rers to put coaches the road suitable for passen
gers.
Now, what do we ask than that Congress shall
authorize the President to contract for the transportation
of mails to the Pacific by railroad We do propose
that the government shall build the road; far from
undertake its construction.
Hence, submit that under the constitution, Con-
re has power to authorize the President to contract In
any prescribed way for the transportation of the mails
Having the power to contract the power necessarily
lists to make payment and the quanum of compensation
ia matter for congressional discretion.
IL , therefore, apparent that postal arrangement,
there is power to pass this bill; but the argument be-
stronger il possible under the constitutional pow
to provide for the common defence 1t Is constitu-
onal to raise and equip troops and TO mould and
cannon and it will not be denied, by the
from Virginia. that it is constitutional TO transport troops
supplies, and munitions of war, from one part of the
country to another If constitutional transport them
is there, them anything to limit the power OF Congress
as to tho mode OF doing of making con-
tracts in advance for their transportation The question
is too plain for argument or illustration.
The opponents Of this BILL when forced to reccde from
opposition upon constitutional grounds attack it
count of the immense IL will entail upon the gov
cmment An examination of its provisions will show
how little foundation there is for this objection
1t is proposed to give alternate sections land for
twenty miles on each side of the road. The policy of