The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-12-28


On the other hand, when came to examine care
fully the condition Of the Pos.oitice Department,
did not meet as many Or Us great difficulties as hit
apprehendeG Had tho bill which failed been con
lined to appropriations for the fiscal year ending ~
the 10th June next there would have Deeh no ftisoi
Of pressing Importance for the call OF an extra Sos
sion. Nothing wotl become due on contracts Qh0S
with railroad companies only excepted for Carrying
tho mail for the first quarter ot the present lsc'.
year commencing on the lat Of July, until the LIST
Ileeember--ess than one week before the meeting
| the present Congress.
Tie reason Is that tho mail contractors for this TN
current year did moi complete their lfst quarter
service until The S0th OF september last and by tn
te ms of their contracts sixty days mort are allowed
for the settlement OF their accounts before the lie
| partment could berailst upon tor payment.
The greatditleuity and the great hardship consisted
in the failure to provide tor tie payment OF the de
cheney in the fiscal year enig the 3Jlh June, 1853
The department had entered INTO contracts, III obed
erce to existing laws, ijr the Service q ;at 6scu
year. and the contractors were fairly entitled to thsi
compensation as II became Tue, The deficiency q
stated In the blu amounted 10 81, but, after
careful settlement Of oil these accounts II has kNe
asccriained that it amounts 70 81 ,296 geo.
| With tue scanty means at his command the Post
| master General has managed 10 pay that portion
this deficiency which occurred in the first two qua
tiers Of the past fiscal year. ending Oil the 3lst Decen
I bsr last In the meantime the contractors then
| selves, under these. trying circumstances, la bs
| hayed in a manner worthy Of all cOmnendatoi
| They had one resource in the midst OF their emba
| easements. After the anvnnt due to each Of tlei
| had been ascertaned and finally settled according
law, this became specific debt Of record against I'll
| United States, which enabled them 70 borrow none
| on this unreasonable security. Still they waI
obliged to pay interest in consequences OF the deau
! OF Congress, and on every principle OF j!stce ougl
! to receive interest ircm the Government. his ni
/ rest should commence from the date whena warrar
would have issued for the payment of the prncipl
| had an appropriation been made 10 this purPs
Calculated up TO LIST December, it will not excee
500 660--a sum not to be taken into account WIZ
contracted with the great difficulties and embarras
ments Of public and private character both to II
| people and the States, Which would have resulte
| from converting and holding special session OF Co,
| gress.
For these reasons Irecoinmend the passage Of
bill, at as early day as may he practicable, to PR
vide for the payment Of the amount, with iatercs
due to these last mentioned contractors, as well as
make the necessary appropriations for the service
the postofilce Departing MT Tor the current fiscal yea
The failure TO pass tho Posofllce bill necessa!ij
gives birth to serious reflections. Congress, by ri
iusing To pass the general appropriation bills nece
sary to carry OH the Government, m2y not only n
rest its action but might even destroy its existence
The army, the navy, the judiciary, in short every d.
partment OF tho Government cin 10 longer pciiorl
their functions Ii Congress refuse the money neGe
sary for their support II this failure should teac
the country The necessity OF ciectng full Congres
in sufficient time to enable the President to convel
them in any emergency, even Immediately after II
old Congress has expired Ii will have been pr0tut
tive Of great good.
Ia a time OF sudden and alarming danger, foreig
or domestic, which ali nations must expect To el
counter in their progress the very salvation Of Oh
insfitutions may be staSPd ltJOn the assembling