Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-10-04

"
this subject--in which that Republican
paper denounces Hale, Colfax, and all
those engaged in advocating the Ed
wards fraud. Well might Colfax write
letter endorsing Helmick--they are
both alike guilty! Read what the Times
says.
From the New York Times July 6, 1860.
EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY or A PRIVATE BILL.
During a portion of the years from
lS49 to 1888 inclusive, the mails between
certain ports on Lake Erie were carried
on steamboats, belonging to Arthur Ed
wards and his associates. There were
two classes Of mails--the through mail
and the local; and according to the prac-
tice of the Postohice Department, the
compensation for the whole service was
adjusted according to the number of let
ters and papers destined for the port of de-
livery constituting the local mails. 1t is
distinctly stated by Postmaster General
Campbell, in reference to this very case,
that it was always understood that the a.
mount paid on the local mails was to be
in full .Jor tile wAole serv,ce.
1t does not appear that Capt. Edwards
and his associates understood this matter
differently, for he certifes, under oath,
that he carried these through mails for five
seasons; that he applied to the postmas-
ters at times for pay, and was told they
had no authority to pay; bnt that in De-
cember, 1858, he heard of the payment
of similar claims, and that he accordingly
procured the proof to sustain his claim.
They had already received what was re-
garded by the Department as the regular
and full compensation for the service
rendered; but in 1854 they demanded of
the Department, in full settlement, the
additional sum of $25, $50. This was the
whole amount then claimed by Capt. Ed
wards, not on the pretence CT any con-
tract, but because he had heard of the pay
ment of similar claims.
The Post-ofiice Department declined
to pay the bill, on the ground that the
claimants had already been paid accord
ing to the instructions of the Department
and the understanding of the parties.
Failing at the Department, Captain
Edwards and his associates went to the
Court of ofClaims. Finding that demand
of $25 900 would not bring the money,
they petitioned the Court for $50, 600.
The Court examined the subject very care
fully. in the light of all the testimony,
and the laws and instructions of the De-
partment, and gave as their opinion that
the claimants had no legal cause of action
against the United States for any sum-
They had been paid in full according to
their contract
The adverse judgment of the Court was
duly reported to Congress, and was re-
ferred in the Senate to the committee on
Post offices and Post Roads. From this
committee, on the 10th of February, 1859,
Mr. Hale reported bill for the relief of
Arthur Edwards and his associates. Az
the court had found that they had no le-
gel cause of action against the United
Suites, Mr.. Hale thought that they were
at least entitled to "relief." On the sec
ond of March following, towards the close
of the morning hour, Mr.. Stuart Of Mich
igan, begged Mr. Hunter to give him the
and II o'clock, ''to pass small bill
II would not ask the indulgence of the
Senate" said Mr.. Stuart if it were not
in the very last hours that can be here
| have constituent who has small 6al
pending, which ought to pass, and | ask
the Indulgence of the Senate to take it up
and pass it." Mr. King. Of this State
called for the reading of the report. Mr.
Stuart replied that he would tell the Sen
ator from New York, in a word, the whole
case. 1.-The service" said the Senator
from Michigan. twas performed under
the direction Of the local Postmasters,
hut, not being ordered by the Department,
there is no authority of law to pay it.
That is all there is about IT," Whereupor
Mr.. Clay, of Alabama, exclaimed; "Tht
money is due; let us pay it and be done
with it," Mr.. King withdrew his call for
the reading of the report. the bill for tho
relief of Arthur Edwards and his assoc
ates was ordered to be engrossed for
third reading, was read third time, an'
passed,
Thus, we see that the bill was 'go
through" the Senate, in the first instance
by fraudulent and false pretences. 1t wa
a fraud on the Senate for Mr., Stuart t
represent this (t,cice) as "small bill.
Nor was Mr.. Stuart's assertion to MI
King true--that he had told the Senat
call there was about it." There was n
authority oflaw to pay it, because tn
| Postmaster. General had paid Capt. Ed
wards and his associates what they ha'
agreed to accept as full compensation 70
their services. This assertion OF Mr.
Campbell was before Mr., Stuart at tn
time he made his untrue statement to tn
Senate. Suppose Mr., Stuart had tol
the truth and had stated that the bill TO