New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-19
TEE PACIFIC MAIL SUBSIDY.
WATCH THE LOBBYISTS !


TO The EDITOR Of The Tribune.
SIR: The Pacific Mail lobby being reported
in to-days Washing tOn dispatches to be making des
perate efforts the subsidy by every device pos
sibe there danger that one or two essential
points In the ease be concealed or obscured by
Mr. Hatch and his lobby to deceive Senators into
giving their support upon false grounds
First An attempt is being made to persuade the
Judiciary Committee and the Senate that the subsidy
Of 1872 is contract so binding upon the Government
that its abrogation will render the Government liable
for damages 1t is only necessary 10 point out that
not only have the contractors themselves failed 20
perform their part OF the contract but the contract
itself contains q provision for Its own abrogation
at the pleasure OF Congress, in the following words
And IL is hereby further stipulated and agreed that
this contract may at any be terminated by the
der OF Congress" This provision in addition TO the
right reserved 10 the Postmaster General to annu the
contract for specified causes. among which " re-
peated failures" ask special attention 10 this point,
II poporons That the two iron steamers Which we're to
have begun the service Oct J. 1873 nave not yet peen
The managing director and executive officer OF the
lobby only last Saturday about the departure OF the
City Peking the 10Th inst II Is Iact tnat thls
steamer was not IN ut condition for that day. and
that consequently the old sdewhee steamer China had
10 be dispatched in her stead.
SSeoad In suite Of the blatant assumption OF virtue
on part of The Pacific Mail lobby OF 1875 and thelr
denuncaten OF the same Companys LOBBY OF 1879, u is
tally the being taken to save the subsidy
today that originally adopted 20 procure H. Every
Senator Representative who votes for hst measure
car only do with the expectation that an inyesga-
ton in the early days Of the next Congress VIII disclose
naymepts by the Company 10 it's counsel and by Roach
10 bis counsel Of large amounts which they VIII De
called upon TO explain in detail. There can be Little
doubt thai the score OF suits recently ordered are
brought partly TO the expected Disbursements and
partly TO compel schuIaker and others 10
give their aid TO the subsidy savers For
Expressing these views ] expect to De eassed by
the directors as an enemy OF the stockholders.
There cannot DE q greater mistake speak from KNOW
edge and profound conviction when say that no
or eater misfortune can befa the unfortunate stock
holders than by success In the attempt TO save the sub
sdy 10 have the obligation 10 build two new IRON steam
ers Of eoO tons in Roaea'a yard nyeted upon
treasury already depleted OF It's assets ana loaded Win
debs BY the OF San Francisco real estate the
Company has parted with 10 last asset convertible INTO
cash otherwise than liquidation Whence, then, Il TO
come the money build the saps II the subsidy DO
savedf
It's true Hatch says, that the Company IL building
three steamers Roacb's yard but - also truc as
Hatch does not say that these steamers are OF the
Colima class and intended for the line between san
Francisco and New York and only 10 be Increased
m size aud cost sufficiently 10 meet the requirements OF
the subsidy that ~ saved This Increase ITSELF
will be by the vicious device Of adding another decki
Ne0 York Feb IL, 1879 CALCIUM LIGHT