New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-15
THE WAY THE MONEY GOES.
cOr.,pOnssuos Of The N. Y. Tribune.

EorresPonoonCe
WASHINGTON, April IL, 1859.
The late Postmaster-G General Brown was a gen.
erous gcodnstured man, and not very rigid disciple
marian as Government official lie AIMED TO be
popular as the Postmaster General of the nation aud
he WIS., But this desire to be popular caused him to
be too indugsnt in some instances where shrewd and
not over-sciupulous contractors for carrying the mails
were ready to take advantage of his good nature and
of the Government. Hence the cause, In great de-
gree Of the unfortunate habit which the Department
fell into under his administration Of it's affairs of get
ting behindhsnd and deplorably in debt. Take, for
example a single case; 10 1857, Congress passed an
act requiring the Postmaster General to execute
contract with the lowest reliable bidder for carry
ing the mails bstwesn Olympus aud Whstcom
on Puget Sound, touching at intermediate
places, such as PENIS Cove, once week,
IN first class steamer suitable for war purposes.
The contract under this act Of Congress given by
the Postmaster. General to Messrs. Huut & Scranton
for four years, commencing August l. 1871, at CON-
,persshon of 81, 400 per annum. One Of the frm,
AIR Scranton, is a shrewd Toucey Democrat from
Connecticut and tolersbly fast operator the mat
Ter OF making valuable contract with Uncle Sans
Government, and in holding on TO it, II il pays, a.
though the contractors may have forfeited it many
times over by their neglect to comply with is require
rnebts as the law directs.
In the outset the contractors instead Of procuring
frst-csss steamer, purchased an old, WORKOUT
aad-up steamer called the Constitution, which had
been condemned and cast aside by the Pacific Steam
Mail Company and after some repairs, started from
San Francisco, with Government stores and freight
on board, TO the value Of thousands Of dollars,
for Puget Sound the scene OF these contractors mail
carrying services But the old steamer gave out aud
broke down on the way, and the Government stores
and freight had TO be cast overheard aud were lost.
Here was epretty kettle of fish The old steamer
was again repaired and then put the mail line, but
IL was no go. She would continue to break down. So
the contractors chartered sometimes steam-tugs with
no accommodations and sometimes canoes, TO trans
port the mails generally out Of contract times ard out
sf season, often failing 10 reach their destination in
week OF two weeks after contract tune. In this way,
and after this fashion, the contractors have carried
the mails failed 10 carry them, for the past two
years and their contract has two more years 20 ruu
They still have been drawing their pay, with . few
occasional Statements perhaps for gross and psps.
ole failures and yet their contract has not been taken
from them although 1t has been many times forfeited
md although the people and the Postmassers all along
The route have cor stary sent their complaints In the
matter to the Post Office Department for redress.
AT last the Legislature of Washington Territory
took the matter in hand, and ~ UNANIMOUS cote,
passed the following preamble and resolution:
WA<reas BY Ac, OF Congress- approved March 1871
the directed 30 contract Win the o"es'
bidder for tss csnyDs Of the malls Puget SOUND
ns Olympia and touching various pisces named 10 ssia
oct The service 10 be performed In hcss steamer suitable
or wI purposes ssd VAsreas said contract was let to
1uhi setsnton 70 commence the hrt day OF Aafas
" Gag eArsas the said contractors have grossx violated TOE
tss 81 sAd contrast In net placing said stsanc OF
ne Inst es.s suitable for purposes contemplated IN
sna Aot o. ooi se aad vhea ssd nos the
swprs steamer aud have principally the charter
steamer OF an inferior css without recommendations
ane o. uncertain capacity 10 perform ssa service ans sssas
ma service pa PSssR 81 ne time been Performed IN canoes