Year: 1860

to carry on the government until the regular
period for the meeting Of new Congress
This event imposed on the executive grave
responsibility. It presented choice6 evils.
Had this omission of duty occurred - the


first session Of the last Congress, the remedy


would have been plain. might then have
instantly recalled them to complete their
work and this without expense to the govern.


ment. But on the 4th Of March last there


were Is Of the 80 States which had not elect.


ed any representative to the present Congress.
Had Congress been called together imme-
dirtely, these States would have been virtually


disfranchised. If an intermediate period had


been selected, several Of the States would


have been compelled to hold extra sessions Of
their Legislatures at great Inconvenience and
Iexpense, to provide for elections at an earlier


day than that previously fixed by law. In


the regular course ten Of these States would


not elect until after the beginning Of August.


and five Of these fifteen not until October and


November. s',yi 5.aH. 20, 20 'y,,. ~. -.


On the other hand, when I came to exam


inc carefully the condition Of the Post Office


Department, did not meet as many or as


great difficulties as had, spprehended.. Had
priations for the fiscal year ending on the





reason Of pressing importance for the call Of
an extra session. Nothing would become due


on contracts (those with railroad companies


only excepted) for carrying the mail for the


first quarter Of the fiscal year commencing
on the 1st of July, until the 1st Of December
LESS than one week before the meeting Of
the present Congress. The reason is that the
mail contractors for this current year did not
complete their first quarters service until the
Both Of September last; and by the terms Of
their contracts sixty days more are allowed
for the settlement Of their accounts before the
Department could be called upon for pay
ment. ~-.I ~. e-I - - - - -. ~


The great difficulty and the great hardship
payment of the deficiency in the fiscal year
ending the Both Of June, 1859. The Depart
ment had entered into contracts, in obedience
to existing laws, for the service Of that fiscal
year, and the contractors were fairly entitled
to their compensation as it became due. The
deficiency, as stated in the bill, amounted to
S3.S38, 728, but after careful settlement Of
all these accounts, it has been ascertained that
it amounts to $4, 296, 900. With the scanty
means at his command, the Postmaster Gen.
eral has managed to pay that portion Of this
deficiency which occurred in the first two
quarters of the past fiscal year, ending on
the 3lst Of December last. In the meantime
the contractors themselves, under these try
ing circumstances have behaved in manner
worthy of all commendation. They had one
resource in the midst of their embarrassments.
After the amount due to each of them had
been ascertained and finally settled according
to law, this became specific debt Of record
against the United States, which enabled
them to borrow money on this unquestiona-
BILE security. Still they were obliged to pay
interest in consequence Of the default Of Con-
gress, and on every principle of justice ought
to receive interest from the Government
This interest should commence from the date
when warrant would have been issued for
the payment Of the principal had an appro-
priation been made for this purpose Calcu-
lated up to the 1st of December, it will not
exceed $96, ,660-a sum not to be taken into
account when contrasted with the great diff.
culties and embarrassments of public and
private character, both to the people and the
States, which would have resulted from the
convening and holding o special session Of
Congress-


For these reasons ! recommend the passage
OF bill, at as early day as may be practi-
cable, to provide for the payment Of the
amount, with interest, due to the last men
toned contractors, as we'll as to make the
necessary appropriations for the service of
the Post Office Department for the current
fiscal year.


- ELECTION OF MEMBERS,


The failure to pass the Post Office bill nec-
essarily gives birth to serious reflections
Congress by refusing to pass the general ap-
preparation bills necessary to carry on the
government may not only arrest its action,
but might even destroy its existence. The
army, the navy, the judciary--in short every
department of government-can no longer
perform their functions if Congress refuse
the money necessary for their support. If this
failure should teach the country the necessity
of electing full Congress in sufficient time
to enable the President to convene them in
any emergency, even Immediately after the
old Congress has expired, it will have been
productive Of great good. In time of sud-
den and alarming danger, foreign or domes-
tic, which all nations must expect to encoun-
ter in their progress, the very salvation of
our institutions may be staked upon the as
sembling of Congress without delay. Ifun-
der such circumstances, the President should
ind himself in the condition in which he was
placed at the close of the last Congress. with
nearly half the States Of the Union destitute
of representatives, the consequence might be-
disastrous. therefore recommend to Con-
sress to carry into effect the provisions of the
Constitution on this subject, and to pass a law
appointing some day previous to the 4th day
# March in each year of odd number for
ne election Of representatives throughout all
he States. They have already appointed q
lay for the election of electors for President
md Vice President, and this measure has
oeen approved by the country.


THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.


would again express most decided opin-
on in favor the construction of Pacific Rail-
,oad, for the reasons stated in nv two last
annual Messages. When reflect upon what
would be the defenceless condition of our
States and Territories west of the Rocky
Mountains in case of aWar with naval nower
strong to interrupt all Intercourse
with them by the routes across the Isthmus,
am still more convinced than ever of the vast
importance of this railroad. I have never
doubted the constitutional competency Of Con-
gress to provide for its construction, but this
exclusively under the war-making power.
Besides, the constitution expressly requires as
an imperative duty that "the United States
shall protect each Of them (the States) against
Invasion. Il am at a loss to conceive how
this protection can be afforded to California
and Oregon against such naval power by ary
other means. I repeat the opinion contained
ln my last annual message. that ittwould be-
inexpedient for the government to undertake
Ibis great work by agents of its own appoint-
I1ent, and under its direct and exclusive con-
tfo. This would increase the patronage of the
Executive to dangerous extent, and would
foster system Of jobbing and corruption which,
no vigilance on the part of the federal officials
could prevent The construction Of this road
ought. therefore, be entrusted to Incorporated
or other agencies who would exer-
else that active and vigiant supervision over it
which can be inspired alone by q sense of cor
pOrate and individual interest. venture to
assertlthat the additional cost Of transporting
troops, munitions of war, and the necessary 8
supplies for the army across the intervening 4
plains to our possessions ON the Pacific coast, =
would be greater in,such war than the whole
amount required to construct the road. And Il
yet this resort would, after all, be inadequate
for their defence and protection. d-4 yC, Iits
. I ~ nm "a, A. x,ro