The Placer herald., 1859-04-09
From the San Francisco National.
From the Record.

| 1--WE OF tne man VIII IHSlstS upon PidCiH5
himself in ridiculous attitude before the
public. The most prominent that suggest
themselves are, goat upon stone wall and
monkey up pole. From the selfcom-
placency characterizing these animals, under
such circumstances, it is perfectly manifest
that they do not see themselves as Others
see them. In fact, they seem in the highest
degree satisfied with their presentaton.-
Among men we have never come across a
more determined instance Of self-ridicule
than in the case of Seward's prototype, 'the
youthful, but most brave Senator, from Cali
fornia," d. G. Broderick. We did think, at
one time, that he had at least sense enough not
to rush into the display of ignorance-that
he would not attempt to speak upon current
business and on the spur of the occasion,
but should he desire to get off something
for the benefit of his followers and Black
Republican admirers, he would use, as was
his wont in this State in former times, the
graceful and facie pen Of his friend, George
Wilkes. In this, however, we have been
mistaken. During the session Just closed
he seems to have reveled in the reputation
of Dogberry, and at its close, even with his
Republican confreres, wrote himself down an
ass. No goat upon stone wall or monkey
up pole ever expressed himself SO ridicu
ously
As the official records reach us, we shall
take occasion, from time to time, to let the
people of our State know of the wise say
ings and doings of this Senatorial nobby.
We shall endeavor to show that he has been
the persistent opponent Of nearly every mea
sure in which his own State was interested
A notable instance before us now is his ac-
ton on the Postoflice appropriation bill, re-
ported in full in the Duly Globe of March
2d. According to existing law, the Postmas-
ter General was authorized, where the usual
per, centage, &c, was not sufficient to pay
man for taking charge Of an office, to allow
additional compensation, provided il did not
exceed the receipts of the office. This was
intended especially for the benefit Of remote
and separate settlements, small towns, vii
lagos, &c. The following extract from the
debate best explains the matter:
Mr. Gwin. 1 am instructed by the Committee
on Post Office and Post Roads to move to strike out
all of the eleventh section. after the word "pa-
pers," in the thirty-thrd line, in the following
words
And no other or further allowances whatever
shall be made to any postmaster, except from
the rents Of boxes or pigeon holes as now nutho-
rized by law; and the commissions and allow
ances authorized hy this act shall be subject to
the provi, ions of the fortyfrst section of the act
entitled AN act to reduce into one the several
acts establishing and regulating the Post Office
Department. approved March 3d. 1925"
Mr. President, | will state what will be the
effect of this provision, if not stricken out. III
will close four iifhs of the Offices in all the new
States, which are separating offices that do not
pay any compensation; and the laws. from the
I'd of March, 1925, down to the present time.
have provided for giving these allowances. The
Postmaster General believe, would ike to have
this provision of the bill adopted; but the Com
mittee on the Post Office and Post Roads have
authorized me to move this amendment.
Mr.. Broderick. 1t is with reluctance that am
compelled to differ with my colleague. am in
favor of retaining this clause in the bill. think
that the perquisites should be taken from the
postmasters for | find that more is paid to the
postmasters in California than is paid to the
postmasters Of twenty three States of this Union,
and tn one exception, in all the Southern States
One hundred and fourteen thousand dollars are
now taken from the receipts of the Postoiice De-
partment for the payment of postmasers in Cali
fornia | hope the Senate will not strike out this
port on of the 11th section. If it is ascertaned,
when we meet again next December that two
thirds of the Post Offices in California will be
closed by this provision of the bill, will vote
cordially with my colleague to insert some pro-
vision in new bill that may be brought in,
providing for the payment of postmasters
Mr.. Gwin. The provision that he wishes is to
close up the post offices in California, to see
whether or not the people cannot get along with
out them.
Mr.. Broderick. No, sir, l would keep them
wide open; but am of opinion tlat the compen-
sation allowed to all other postmasters will be
sufficient to pay the postmasters OF Callft rna'
1t is mere difference of opinion.
Mr. Gwin. Ia not the compensation allowed to
other postmasters the same as paid to those in
California?
Mr.. Broderck. I believe this section is gene
raj. 1t proposes to strike out all of tn m; but L
do not want to make an exception of California.
Mr.. Gwin. 1t is not an exception My amend
ment is intended for the whole Union, for all the
offices throughout the United States.
Mr.. Broderick. Then | wish it understood |
am for taking it away from all the poStmasters of
the United States.
Mr.. Gwin. The Senator, then, wants to shut
up all the post Offices in the new States, where
the compensation is not enough to get any ca
pabe person to keep the Office; where the fees OF
the distributing office will not pay for the dis
trbution Of documents that are intended 1Or
adjoining offices. Now, sir in order to strike
down small offices in his own State, he wants to
strike them out in all other places III tne Uhloh'
This is intended as q general clause. 1t suits the
Postmaster-General very well to have this clause
inserted in the bill? but the Post office Committe,
having representatives upon it from the States,
knowing the Importance of this provision TO these
new States, and that the offices could not be kept
open unless this act of March Sd, 1925, and the
subsequent legislation on the subject, were re-
tained instructed me to move to strike 1t out. l
hope the Senators from other new States, except
my colleague, will strike out this provision, which
will close number of the offices in all these new
States-Orcgon and Minnesota, and all the States
recently established.
Mr. Broderick / see, sir, that this amendment
has been reported from the Committee on the
Post Offices and Post roads My colleague is
,-oru antiun Of tho Cnmmitt