Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-25

WASHINGTON, March %.
In reply to a note of George Mattlngly, the
Postmaster General informs him that Con-
gress has for the first time since the organi-
cation of the Government, failed to make
provision for the department. Had all the
members of the next Congress been elected,
the President might. on the 4th of March,
have called an extra session, and the omls-
sions of the late Congress been suppliedi but
it was impossible to do so without disfran-
chsing fifteen of the sovereign States. This
was most unfortunate. There ought TO De no
time when a full Congress could not be con-
vened. and it is firmly hoped that such state
of affairs may never again occur. Had the
bill which failed to pass made provisions only
for the fiscal year commencing on the LIST OF
July, there would have been obviously 10
necessity for an extra session. The deficiency
on the Both of June will amount to 81 1885,
3SI. nearly $3.50, 900 of which being an I'M
paid balance accumulated on the Both Decem-
Der and 2Sth February, and which can and
will be paid by the department within
90 days from this date. The payment
of the principal part will be made in 30 days.
The Postmaster General makes other state
ments to show that it would be impossible to
convene Congress in time to meet the great
bulk of the responsibilities without virtually
excluding from Congress the representatives
of several of the sovereign States.
In the Judgment of the President, the
lesser evil was to wait until the first Mon
day in December, when all the States will be
fully represented. The contracts can never
be repudated. After the amounts due shall
be ascertained, they become debts which must
be paid. On this, the contractors, If they
desire. can borrow money. The lender could
have do better security. Provision SHOULD
also be made for the payment of the interest,
yhi N than 3
\ system of retrenchment so tar as practi-
cable, is now an imperative duty. BY the
act of 1858 Congress established 695 new post
routes, the service of which includes the st.
Paul and Puget's Sound route. established in
1855, but not yet put in operation.
IL has been estimated that these
will require an annual approprla-
ton of 1904 4S8 over and above the
receipts ACQUIRING therefrOm. Not dollar
has been appropriated for this purpose, and,
as consequence, though the contracts for
these routes have been advertised and pro-
posals received, they cannot be put in oper-
alton until the provision is made by law for
that purpose.
WAsHINGroN, March 81.
The real reason for the opposition in the
Cabinet to the extra session, is the apprehen-
sion that the new House would overhaul the
condition of the treasury, and expose the
false estimates and require modification OF
the Tariff as condition for granting the
Post Office or ether appropriations. This OPT
Mon is probably well-founded, as the House
would not be justified in voting untold mil
lions without providing means for payment.
Secretary Cobb estimated the balance in
the Treasury on the first of July, al 81 ,000,
900, and Congress at the last session apprO-
priatCd 50 600. 900, not included in his esti-
mates. which are now payable, thus leaving
$4,000, 900 Now, if Congress should be con-
vened, and pass the Post Office bill the def
cheney for the current year would absorb this
whole amount and leave no balance; either
artificial or real. on the lst of July.
1t is well understood that CObb's anxiety
to keep Congress away, arises form bis ex-
pecting that foreign trade will suddenly
revive, and his plumbers escape detection.
1t is believed that Pryor the editor of the
States, will soon retire, intending to effect
editorial connection elsewhere.
The arrival of Lord Lyons at Annapolis is
expected Immediately. He comes with
different reputation from that of Napier,
having no desire for parade, and being retir-
ing in character and habits. He has a large
private fortune, but is not disposed to spend
il Osten tatlOuSiy