Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-25

miles longer than necessary, and through the
worst country between the Mississippi anu inc
Pacific. He wished the contractors lett Tree 70
select the best and most useful route.
Mr.. Reagan, Of Texas, offered an amendment
that whenever any contract shall be changed
bv authority of Congress. the contract shall be
relct, rs in the first instance. Rejected.
Yesterday the amendment of Mr.. Blair. OF
No.. was adopted, allowing the contractors.
Buttertield ( Co. to carry the mail by a route
I of their own selection.
/ Mr. Atkins. Of Tenn, moved to amend the
amendment by providing that any lands pre-
clnpted bv the contractors. shall be forfeited IN
,,se NJ failure to continue the mail service by
the route along which the lands are prc-empted.
Rejected after debate by ayes ". nays -.
Mr. Cobb. of Ala, moved an amendment 10
repeal the act of 1856, granting ~pre-einPti"n
rights to mail contractors.
Mr.. Howard, of Mich, raised a point oil order.
The chair decided the amendment in order.
Mr.. Howard appealed from tine decision "l
the Chair, and the question being taken by
t~ellcrs, the decision of the Chair was overruled
by ayes 81, nays ii.
Mr.. Smith of Virginia. offered an amendment
that the Postmaster General shall abrogate the
contract with Buttcrfield X Co, for carrying
the mail By the overland route. II 1t shall be
found that the carriage Of the letters cost $50
each. Ruled out of order.
Mr.. Smith said he would submit TO the ruling
of the Chair, but he had desired to put an end
: to this contract by which the Postoihce Depart.
ment was used TO promote the establishment oil
4 line Of settlements between the Mississippi
Valley and the Pacific.
Mr.. Scott of California, spoke of the advan-
tagcs of continuing the contract. lie regard
ed the establishment Of the overland route as
one Of the greatest triumphs Of American ch-
terprisc.
Mr. Burnett, Of KY, moved 10 amend the
amendment BY striking out the latter clause
He opposed the continuance of this route as
unnecessary and expensive. lie hoped the
amendment Of the gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. Blair would be carried in the House and
sent up to the Senate, for he regarded 1t as
equivalent to breaking up the contract.
Mr.. Marshall, Of KY, advocated the existing
route, and said it was the best line for y rail.
road to the Pacific, and the shortest from New
York 10 the Pacific.
Mr.. Burnett Withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Gooch, of Mass, offered an amendment
that the contractors be allowed 10 select the
route. 1t was known that they desired TO car
nv the mail BY another route, and had been
compelled BY the department to use the pre-
sent one.
Mr.. Phelps. OF Mo-, explained the action of
the department. lie said the applicants for the
contract to carry the mails by the overland
route wereall represented in Washington at the
time the contract was let. The subject attracted
great attention in the Cabinet. and route was
selected. The bidders were then asked if they
would be willing to take that route. and they all
asscnted.
Mr.. Burnett, of Ky, denied that there had
been any violation Of law on the part Of the
Department, ~inasmuch as the bidders hal all
agreed to use the route preferred by the Post.
master General.
Mr.. Avery's amendment was then agreed TO.
Mr.. Marshall. of Ky, offered an amendment
that the section should not be so construed as
to compel the Postmaster General TO continue
contracts which he did not consider required
by the public convenience.
Mr.. Blair hoped the amendment would not
prevail. as it would enable the Postmaster
General to compel contractors to carry the
mails along such routes as he might select.
Mr.. Marshall'S amendment vas rejected
ayes 80. noes -.
Mr.. Branch. Of North Carolina, offered an
amendment extending for two years the appro-
~priations heretofore made for postotliceS, which
was agreed 10.
After further dcbnt" the committee rose and
reported the bill To the House, but without Ia
king any dc!init, action upon il, the House AL.
iourned. :