Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-26
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

AFFAIRS OF TIRE Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
In the present emergency, the lack OF the APP
| preparation will be treated just as Deficiencies
in appropriations have heretofore been man
aged, we apprehend. In fact, the dehciency
for the current year is really All that will re-
auire to be provided for; rs the payment for
| the first quarters service of next year would
| not ordinarily be made until within few days
of the meeting of the next Congress, and Con-
gress may be called together q week or two
earlier or the payment may bo delayed a few
days. In order to enable contractors to per-
form their part of the service, Notwithstanding
the failure Of the Government to pay them
at the usual periods it may be necessary
for them to borrow money. This, however, is
their business and not that of the Postmaster
General; and it is supposed they will proceed
just as they have been doing, when unable TO
wait for their money until they could obtain it
! from the Government. That practice has been
to negotiate loans on drafts given by the con-
tractors against the Department and the fol-
lowing quotation from the " annual advertise
ment inviting proposals for carrying the
mails" explains the character Of the drafts
with sufficient clearneSs:
"The Auditor of the Treasury for the Post Office
Department has found much inconvenience,
risk. and expense TO result from the practice of
contractors in making drafts their pay in ad-
vance of the quarterly settlements that he has been
compelled to adopt the following regulation, to
which he will rigidly adhere, and of which con-
tractors and all concerned will take notice:
"' But one draft for the pay each route per
quarter will be paid filed for payment in this
office. This draft should state its face that at is
the only one for the quarter and the route (both to
be specifed) on which il is drawn; and the sig
nature thereto shoKid be dtfeSted by the postmaster
at the place phsre 1t may be drapn, and other
toitness, and each assignment thereof should BE- at
tested By ttco witnesses
'sltwill be perceived that draft so drawn can
only be received and filed in the office by
tesy Of the Auditor; it cannot be accepted as bust
ness paper is usually accepted and imposes no
obligation, and raises no claim on the United
states, except to pay the amount at the proper
time. or SO much as may be due the drawer on the
quarter named, and no other. But II the whole
amount due the contractor be not sufficient to
meet the draft, 1t cannot be surrendered. but.
though portion only be paid. it must remain i'm
.he once as voucher for the payment, as the
law requires Of all vouchers"
By the regulation Of the Auditor alluded to
in the above, it will be observed that the as
signee of the draft-the party loansing money
to the contractors guarded against fraud,
and has good security for his loan, in the draft.
In such contingency as now exists, W hen the
number of these drafts will be greatly increased,
some modification of their form, to more effec-
lively guard against fraud may be adopted;
but we are confident nothing in the shape of
certificates of Indebtedness will be issued by
the Department. They are not necessary even
were they legal; while this plan, which is
wholly in accordance with the strictest con-
construction Of the laws, and has heretofore
been practiced, is entirely adequate to meet
the wants of the case.
RABID.-Mr. Forneys Press is perfectly
rabid over the action of the recent Pennsylvania
Democratic State Convention in endorsing the
National Administration and virtually denoun-
cling the State administration of Gov. Packer
sympathiser with political Forneyism. 1t
arraigns the convention as being composed Of
terrible set Of ogres wholly destitute of political
or any other principle whatever; the President,
as being the most faithless and detestable man
that ever lived and his official sins of omission
and commission as being the heaviest accumu-
lation OF wrong -doings conceivable. The Press
is in dreadful WAYS griped most awfully
We advise the Press to take a huge dose of
castor oil and turpentine without delay; else
there is imminent danger that it may 20 off
suddenly of the overload of bile upon its so frri
table stomach. Its remedy for the terrible state
of affairs in the Democratic party Of Pennsyl-
vania, as illustrated by the shocking action of
the convention in standing by James Buchanan
rather than by John w. Forney is prompt
convocation of sore-headed and fshy Demo-
cratic convention, to be composed, of course, of
disappointed ofice-seekers (cither for them
selves OF Others) from the present National Ad-
ministration.
1t is freely asserted here that Senator Doug
las has advised MIR. Forney to essay to con-
woke such an assemblage, though friends Of his
among US vehemcntly proclaim that he has
washed his hands Of Mr.. Forney and his polit-
Ieal schemes for strengthening the Republican
party in advance Of the approaching Presiden-
tial election. Mr.. Forney's sore headed and
fishy convention will doubtless be held as il
is the interest of the Republican party of Penn
sylvania, for whom he acts, to gather it to-
gether. Its proceedings will do good by al
once opening the eyes Of all the public to tho
fact that those of Pennsylvania who deserted
the Democratic party in company with Mr.
Forney, are to man, personally disappointed
about Office or something Of the sort
1hb w AGDN hOAD.-N G men,
toned some days ago. that an expedition would
start from this city, at an early day, under the
command of Lieut.. John MulIam, of the I'd
Artillery, to construct military wagon road
from Fort Benton, on the Missouri, to Fort
Walla Walla, on the Columbia river. We now
learn that Lieut.. NJ. has already gone forward
to the frontier to complete his arrangements
for the undertaking, and he will shortly be fol.
lowed by the following gentlemen appointed to
assist him. Messrs. A. NJ Engel and T. III.
Kolecki, Topographers C. Howard, Civil En-
gineer; G. c. Taliaferro, John A. Smith, w.
Johnston, and DR.. j. A. MulIan, Assistants
and c. Spangler, Wagon Master.
LAUNCH OF GUS-BoAr.-Captain Dornin.
commandant of the Norfolk navy yard, was in
the city this morning. He reports that on We'd
nesday last the new gun-boat, No. 4, mot yet
named,) was launched from that yard. This
vessel is screw steamer of about 900 tons
burthen. 300 feet long ON tho dool, % Co.,