SENATE.] Reports on the Post Office. [JUNE 9, 1834. 9. Resolved, That it does appear that mail lines have The question was then taken, and the statement of the been established to run more frequently than once a day, minority was received and read. The reading occupied at a very heavy expense, where no adequate public ob- the same time as the majority report. ject required such provision. 10. Resolved, That pecuniary transactions of a very irregular nature are proved to have taken place between the contractors and some of the chief officers of the Post Office Department. 11. Resolved, That the Post Office Department is now deeply in debt; its affairs in disorder; its accounts and reports irregular and unsatisfactory; that it is justly the subject of public complaint, and demands a radical reform. Mr. EWING then moved the printing of the reports, which he desired to have done as early as possible, in order that an early day might be fixed for the consideration of the resolutions. To-morrow he would move to append certain papers to the reports. Mr. GRUNDY asked to have the bill which he had reported appended as an amendment; which was agreed to. Mr. FORSYTH asked if it was intended to do any thing with the subject during this session. Mr. GRUNDY said there was a bill which had been 12. Resolved, That the incidental expenses and secret reported, and referred to a committee, and was now on service money of the Department have increased, are in- the table. Some amendments would be necessary to this creasing, and ought to be diminished. bill, and he thought the committee could agree to make 13. Resolved, That it does appear that an agreement the necessary amendments, without sending it to the comwas entered into between two companies of mail contract-mittee. ors, the express object of which was to put down com- Mr. EWING said he had thought of referring the bill, petition in the transportation of passengers in their re- but was restrained by the same consideration. There was spective mail routes; that said agreement was drawn by a clause necessary to be introduced, to prevent a clerk an officer of the Department, and entered into at his from being a contractor. pressing instance, and that it was sanctioned by the Post- Mr. FORSYTH said, there seemed to be an agreement master General; and that such agreement, so sanctioned, as to the necessity of legislative action, and he wished is an interference with the honest pursuits of the free citi-that might not be delayed until the reports should be zens of these United States; that it tends to establish an printed. odious and oppressive monopoly, and is an unjust invasion of private rights. After a few words from Mr. PORTER and Mr. GRUNDY, the reports were ordered to be printed. 14th. Resolved, That it does appear that mail contract- Mr. SOUTHARD said that these reports presented ors have received large extra allowances, and have, about matter of unusual interest to the public. They exhibitthe time of receiving such allowances, become the pro-ed, perhaps, more misconduct and mal-administration prietors or contractors of newspaper presses of a parti- than was ever known to exist in any department of any san character. It also appears, that a newspaper editor, Government. He did not mean to enter into any discus in the State of New Hampshire, is a contractor for carry-sion on the subject of the misconduct which was exhibing the mail on numerous routes, "with paper privilege," ited by these reports, and which showed the insolvency and that every such act or artifice, tending to unite the of one of the Departments of the Government, to the press with the Post Office Department, is a dangerous amount of more than $800,000, which was, of itself, abuse, and ought to be corrected. enough to show the necessity of circulating them as widely as possible. He was perfectly aware that the mi The report having been read Mr. GRUNDY said he held in his hand a paper con-nority committee did not go to that extent; but it struck taining the views of the minority of the committee, con-him as a singular circumstance, that that minority should sisting of himself and the Senator from Illinois, which he have discovered an insolvency to the amount of something asked might be received and read to the Senate. The less than $300,000; when the head of the Department paper, he said, though treating on precisely the same should have asked for the sum of $450,000, saying that subjects as those in the report just read, yet differed from he could not get along without it. But that fact alone, it in some very material respects; and he believed that with others which were exhibited, were of such a characevery Senator would be better able to understand the ter, that he felt desirous there should be a large number whole subject by reading both documents together, than of extra copies printed. He would therefore move that either of them separately. 15,000 extra copies of the reports and documents should be printed. Mr. FORSYTH said all that he wished to know was, what would be the expense of printing this additional number of the two reports? Mr. EWING said that, in making up the report, the majority, as soon as they ascertained there was a differ-| ence of opinion in the committee, carefully informed the minority of all the subjects they intended to consider, without giving them the language of the report. This, Mr. SPRAGUE said he would venture to say that the he believed, was consonant with the general usage, and expense would not exceed that of one of the extra allowwas enough to enable the chairmain, one of the minority, ances of the Department; and if one of these could to make a statement of their views on the same subjects be saved, there would be economy in ordering the embraced in the report, and not for the purpose of ena-printing. bling him to make a counter report in answer to it. He Mr. GRUNDY said he must state to the Senate all he assured the Senate that the only object of the committee knew on the subject. He did not know what the amount was to arrive at the truth, and this object, he believed, of the extra printing would be, but he could say, that one could be best attained by an examination of the state-of these documents was as long as either of the reports. ment of the views of the minority. It was therefore the The printing of the greater part of them would, in his desire of the committee that this paper be received and read. opinion, be of no manner of use for the purposes of disMr. GRUNDY wished to add only one word before tribution merely. One document contained the length of taking the question. The member from Ohio [Mr. Ew- every post route, of which there were about two thousand, ING] was correct in saying that the majority of the com- and would make a large book of itself. mittee had submitted to him all the subjects they intend- Mr. EWING said that for the use of the Senate all the ed to consider in their report, with the exception, how-documents must necessarily be printed, together with ever, of the cases of two or three contractors, which he both reports. For the purposes, however, of distribufound treated of in the report, and which he did not now tion for public information, there were many documents recollect. These cases might have been submitted to that it would be unnecessary to print. He suggested, him, but if they were, he had forgotten them. therefore, that the chairman, or the committee, should se JUNE 10, 1834.] Adjournment of Congress.-Proceedings of Mercer, (Pa.,) &c. [SENATE. lect such documents as were proper for distribution, and | The proceedings were drawn up (Mr. W. said) with that the question be taken on the printing them only. By much ability; and showed that those composing the this means much printing would be saved. meeting were intelligent enough not only to know that Mr. MANGUM moved to amend the motion by insert-great distress existed among them, but were intelligent ing thirty thousand. Mr. SOUTHARD accepted the modification. enough to have ascertained the causes that produced it. He asked that the memorial might be read, referred, and printed; which was ordered accordingly. FULTON (OHIO) MEMORIAL. Mr. FORSYTH said he believed the chief complaint against the Post Office Department was for a wanton waste of the public money. Would the Senate follow that example, by ordering such unnecessary printing? Mr. EWING presented the memorial of the town of Was the Senate aware that the printing of the present Fulton, in the county of Hamilton, Ohio, expressing the session already exceeded twenty thousand dollars?-that opinion, that it was the intention of the constitution, that there were cart-loads of documents that had been printed all the principal officers of the Government should be apfor distribution, and had never been sent off, the greater pointed by the Senate, as representing the States sepapart of which had been sold by the chambermaids of the rately, as well as by the President, representing the States boarding-houses to the grocers for wrapping paper? He in the aggregate. The memorialists said, that one of the thought the printing of so large a number of these re-objects of the constitution was to give to the States disports would be a most wanton abuse of the contingent fund. Mr. WRIGHT asked for the yeas and nays; which were ordered. Mr. CHAMBERS wished to be understood what documents were to be printed, and with this view he would now move an adjournment. The motion was negatived. Mr. SWIFT moved to postpone the consideration of the subject until to-morrow. After a few words from Mr. GRUNDY and Mr. EW. ING, the motion was agreed to. ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS. The Senate then proceeded to consider the special order, being the joint resolution of the House fixing on the 30th of June for the adjournment of Congress. The resolution was then concurred in. The Senate then proceeded to consider the bill fixing an earlier day than the first Monday in December for the next meeting of Congress. After a few words from Mr. WEBSTER, Mr. CLAY, and Mr. POINDEXTER, the bill, on motion of the last named gentleman, was laid on the table. Mr. WILKINS gave notice that he should, on Thursday, move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Executive business. Mr. CLAY alluded to the order, adopted some time since, for the making out the number of the signatures to the memorials on the subject of the public distress, and moved the adoption of an order continuing the list to the present time, which was adopted. acter, tinctively, a portion of the appointment of all the chief officers of Government, and that this intention had been evaded by permitting officers to hold their places a long time without being presented to the Senate; that this was an interference with the rights of the States, and that the rights of the States ought to be asserted, and the chief officers should be nominated as early as possible to the Senate. The memorial, Mr. E. said, was not properly referable to any committee; he would, therefore, only say, that it perfectly accorded with his own views, and move that it be laid on the table and printed. Mr. FORSYTH asked for what purpose. Mr. EWING said, in order that it might be read by the members of the Senate. Mr. FORSYTH thought it might be read in manuscript. The motion of Mr. EWING to print was then carried. RHODE ISLAND CONTESTED ELECTION. On motion of Mr. WEBSTER, the Committee on Finance was discharged from the further consideration of the resolution of the Senate, requesting said committee to inquire into the expediency of allowing to the honorable E. R. Potter the pay and mileage of a member of Congress, while attending at the seat of Government, pending the contested election of the Senator from the State of Rhode Island; which motion was agreed to: whereupon, Mr. WRIGHT submitted the following resolution: Whereas, the honorable Elisha R. Potter, at the commencement of the present session of Congress, did cause to be laid before the Senate a commission from the Gov After some reports on memorials of a private char-ernor of the State of Rhode Island, duly authenticated, and constituting the regular prima facie evidence to entiThe CHAIR then called the next special order, rela- tle him to a seat in the Senate. And whereas, the conting to the French claims; when, on motion of Mr. CHAM- test for the seat claimed by Mr. Potter was not finally deBERS, the Senate adjourned. TUESDAY, JUNE 10. PROCEEDINGS OF MERCER, (PA.) cided by the Senate until the 27th day of May now last past, when the said seat was awarded to the honorable Asher Robbins, Therefore, Resolved, That the said Elisha R. Potter is entitled to the compensation of mileage allowed by law Mr. WEBSTER presented the proceedings of a meet- to members, for his travel from his place of residence, ing of a number of the citizens of the borough of Mercer, in the State of Rhode Island, to the capital, and returnPennsylvania, on the subject of the removal of the de-ing; and also to the per diem allowance of a member of posites, the protest of the President against the resolu- Congress, for the time he actually attended at the city of tions of the Senate, and other matters which have so much Washington during the contest pending before the Sen. engaged the attention of the community during the pres-ate in relation to the seat claimed by him, and occupied ent session. The borough of Mercer (Mr. W. said) was in by the honorable Mr. Robbins. the interior of Pennsylvania, beyond the Alleghanies, and might be supposed to be beyond those local causes which have so grievously affected the great mass of the community. But, said he, they complain much of pecuniary der consideration, a debate of some length ensued. distress, stagnation of business, and dearth of employment The principle in this bill was to refund a sum of money for labor; and complain much more of those assumptions paid by Oliver M. Spencer for a tract of land bought of of Executive power, set forth in the protest of the Chief the Government, which fell short of the quantity about Magistrate against the proceedings of the Senate of the fifty acres; the survey by the Government officer being United States. Jadmitted to have been erroneous. OLIVER M. SPENCER. The bill for the relief of Oliver M. Spencer being un SENATE.] Oliver M. Spencer.-Reports on the Post Office. [JUNE 10, 1834. The bill was opposed on the ground that the rule of the United States as is practicable may have these reports caveat emptor should apply in full force; and that to relax in their hands, with full opportunity to read, examine, the rule would open the door to endless applications of and refer to them; and that they may also have the docdisappointed purchasers for redress. uments on which the reports are founded to compare with them, and test for themselves the truth and accuracy of the allegations which are made against the Department. Let light be scattered. Let means of forming a just judg ment be afforded, and that judgment will be pronounced by the public. In the second place, the Senator objects, because it will cost a large sum, and be an unjustifiable On the other side, the bill was supported on the ground that the injury done to Spencer was entirely the result of mistake on the part of the officer of Government, and the person having purchased and paid his money on the representations of the Government, and the deficiency not being at the time known, every principle of law and equity required that he should be refunded the excess of squandering and waste of public money. Whether this purchase money. Messrs. POINDexter, moorE, and PRENTISS, spoke in favor of the bill, and Messrs. BLACK, FORSYTH, BIBB, CLAY, EWING, KING of Alabama, PRESTON, and CHAMBERS, in opposition to the bill. After some immaterial amendments, the question being on the engrossment of the bill for a third reading Mr. MOORE asked the yeas and nays; which were ordered, and are as follow, to wit: be so, depends entirely, in my apprehension, upon the importance of the document itself. If the information be useful and necessary, there can be no waste in communicating it to the people. Under our institutions, where the people judge and control their public officers; where, to discharge their duties wisely, and exercise their rights justly, accurate information respecting the conduct of their agents is indispensable; where, if they are led into error by false professions, and concealment of criminal YEAS.--Messrs. Benton, Clayton, Ewing, Freling- conduct, the most fatal consequences to them and to their huysen, Grundy, Hendricks, Kane, King of Alabama, institutions may follow; there is, there can be, no wiser Knight, Linn, Moore, Poindexter, Prentiss, Robinson, and better course, in the expenditure of their money, Southard, Tyler, Waggaman.--17. than to distribute information of the conduct and manageNAYS.--Messrs. Bell, Bibb, Black, Brown, Calhoun,ment of their concerns, for their use and benefit. Chambers, Clay, Forsyth, Hill, King of Georgia, Leigh, Mangum, Morris, Naudain, Preston, Robbins, Shepley, Smith, Sprague, Swift, Tallmadge, Tipton, Tomlinson, White, Wilkins.-25. So the question was determined in the negative, and the bill was rejected. REPORTS ON THE POST OFFICE. The Senate then took up the unfinished business, being the motion to print 30,000 copies of the reports of the committee on the affairs of the Post Office. The true inquiry for us to make is, Is the document of sufficient value and importance to justify the expenditure? To this inquiry, I answer, without hesitation, It is of sufficient weight to demand the widest distribution. To what does it relate? and what does it contain? It relates to one of the great Departments of the Government-to one, most important to the interest and convenience of every citizen of the republic. All who transact business-all who are separated from their homes or friends-all who take any interest or concern in public matters, are affected constantly, almost daily, by its action. Mr. SOUTHARD said, the motion made by him was It extends its influence from the crowded city to the reto print 15,000 extra copies. The Senator from North motest and most isolated hut in the land. Every man feels Carolina, [Mr. MANGUM,] had moved to amend it by or-it-every citizen depends more or less upon it for his condering 30,000 to be printed. Although (Mr. S. said) he should have been satisfied with the smaller number, he was willing to receive the amendment, at the suggestion and in conformity with the wishes of its mover. venience, and comfort, and prosperity. It relates, too, to a Department of a wider and more direct influence upon popular opinion and popular elections, than any other in the Government. If used for corrupt My object is, to furnish as wide a circulation as possi- purposes, it may have the most fatal influence upon the ble to the report, both of the majority and the minority elections and the prosperity of the nation. With its army of the committee, and of the documents selected to ac- of many thousands of agents, scattered over every mile company them. I desire the facts exhibited by them all of our territory, its potency is almost irresistible-the to be known to the people of the United States, that poison of its corruption, if corruption exists, will debilithey may form their opinions upon the important subject tate and weaken the political and moral energies of the to which they relate, with the best and most authentic people. The President, in one of his messages to which guides. I shall refer, has well described its importance; and, in I understand the Senator from Georgia [Mr. FORSYTH] proportion to that importance, is the necessity of accurate to make two objections: first, that so large a number of information as to its condition and conduct. them is not necessary, and will not be useful, because It is also a Department, of which more complaints have they will be published in the newspapers, and scattered been made for several years past, than any other portion as widely as possible. This objection is common to every of the Government. Its irregularity, its failures, its want case in which the Senate is called on to print extra of system, its alleged corruptions and misconduct, have copies. It applies to the President's messages, and to been the burden of private and of public accusation and every other document of every description. It would rebuke-not confined to the opponents of the existing forbid the printing of extra copies in all cases, whatever administration, but extending to many of its most devoted might be the value or importance of the information to be advocates. And these complaints have not been without communicated by them. But it is correct only in regard cause. There is not a man in the community who does to small documents. Those of great length, like the not know that they are just. Now, sir, I desire that its present, are not, and cannot be, inserted in the ordinary condition shall be explained—that the reasons for its failnewspapers of the country. Short extracts from, or refure to answer completely the great objects for which it erences to them, can alone find a place; extracts and was created and is now sustained, should be exhibited to references often calculated to mislead rather than in- the people; and I am willing that enough of the people's struct. Besides, they are not read and examined with money should be used, to communicate to them the most the same care as when issued in pamphlet form by the accurate knowledge upon such a subject. legislative authority. In that shape they are read more But, sir, what do these reports and documents contain? diligently, circulated more widely, and preserved with What information will they communicate? They are the more care for future reference. This is the object in the result of laborious investigation by an intelligent and faithpresent instance. I desire that as many of the people of ful committee into the concerns of the Department; and, JUNE 10, 1834.] Reports on the Post Office. [SENATE. if they are favorable to it, it is due to it, and to the pub. Now, if you add his estimate to the surplus, as representlic, that they should afford it support and protection. If ed by his predecessor, you have the sum of something unfavorable, it is equally just that they should be known more than $700,000, sunk by the administration of this for its condemnation. Their precise contents are not, of Department, by this Postmaster General. But this is not course, recollected by me; nor could they be merely from the worst of the case. the reading of them in the Senate. But enough is remembered to justify me in speaking of them, and in deciding that they ought to be known and read by the people of this country. The majority of the committee state the deficiency at $803,000; and their mode of reaching their conclusion is plain, and demands confidence. They take the debts of the Department as they are stated by the Department. I beg permission to refer to some of them, by memory. They do not, therefore, allow too much. They then When the resolutions shall be discussed, and an opportu- take the credits and means of payment, as represented nity afforded for closer examination and reference to pub- by the Department, and, testing the items by official lic documents, more striking views, and clearer exhibi- papers, they reach the result stated, as the inevitable tions of facts and principles, may be presented; and, if conclusion from documents and by figures. And what a others do not afford them, I promise to make the effort. conclusion-in such a Department! Adding to it the surWhat do they show? plus, or money on hand in 1829, there is an actual ex 1. That this great Department of our Government is penditure, in five years, of nearly $1,100,000 beyond the insolvent, bankrupt, unable to sustain itself and to pay its income. Did any department, in any Government, ever debts. This Department has, heretofore, I believe, at all before make such an exhibition? Shall we hesitate at times, under all administrations, supported itself. While expense which is proper to convey a knowledge of the extending and scattering its benefits and its blessings facts to the people of the Union? throughout the wide circuit of the nation, it had not call- Why should there have been such a deficiency? Does ed upon the Treasury for aid. It had claimed nothing it result from the legislation of the country? Or is it the from the pockets of the people. It had done more; it effect of pure mismanagement and corruption? Let the had poured upwards of a million of dollars into the treas- people examine, and answer. And while they make the ury, and it was constantly gaining strength and vigor, examination, let them take into view another astounding and promised to become a fruitful source of national rev-fact exhibited by these reports. It is this: The defienue. In 1829, when the present econominal and reform- ciency has not arisen from a falling off in the amount of ing administration commenced its operations, there was postage received. That is increasing with the growth of a surplus reported by the then Postmaster General of the population, and business, and intelligence of the coun. about $289,000. The present incumbent, Mr. Barry, try, until it has amounted to nearly three millions of doladmitted, in one of his reports, that that surplus amount- lars annually. As these augment, the number of letters ed to 230,000 dollars. The Department was then in a most and communications by the mail will increase in an equal wholesome and efficient condition, and we were assured or greater degree. It is not because less postage has that it would, if correctly managed, give an income, over been received, but because that which has been received and above its wants and expenses, of half a million of dol- has been shamefully squandered, and, as I believe, for lars annually. It is but five years since that time, and the most guilty purposes. The report informs us that the what is now its condition? Where is the admitted sur- expenditures of this Department, in four years, by Mr. plus of 230,000 dollars? Sunk-lost-squandered. Shall Barry, have been three million three hundred thousand not the people know this fact? Where is the promised dollars more than by his predecessor in the same time. annual half million? In its place we have an acknowledged Is there credulity in any man so great as to believe that debt, contracted in violation of the laws and the constitu- this can have been correctly, properly, honestly, legally tion-a bankrupt Department, calling upon the Treasury done? Can devotion to personal or party considerations for aid to enable it to continue its operations. To what blind the eye to this glaring fact? Will men who act thus, extent is it insolvent? The minority of the committee be sustained? Whether they will or not, it is due to the state its debts, beyond its means, available, and, I believe, people of this country, that those who have the power unavailable, at about 290,000 dollars-nearly the amount to effect it, should scatter widely the knowledge of the of surplus on hand, which was received by the present truth, and then let them take the decision into their own Postmaster General. If this statement be entirely cor- hands. But I desire a large number for another reason. rect, and we add the surplus on hand to the sum which is It exhibits gross and palpable violations of law. The deficient, we make the amount which has been sunk, in laws seem to have been utterly disregarded in the action five years, beyond all the receipts, much more than half of this Department, which is superintended by the Execa million of dollars; and this is the most favorable exhibi-utive, and sustained by the Executive. Permit me to tion which has been or can be made. But it strikes me notice some of them. with some surprise that the minority should place the de- 1. The Department has borrowed more than 450,000 ficiency at less than three hundred thousand dollars, when dollars, and paid 12,000 or 14,000 dollars interest. I ask the Postmaster General asks for four hundred and fifty for its constitutional and legal right to borrow the money. thousand dollars to enable him to get along. Has he so It can have none, unless the warrant for it is found in the managed that he cannot, in the ordinary mode, command laws of the land. The constitution vests the power of and control the means of the Department? Has he per- borrowing money in Congress, as a separate, independmitted those who receive the postage to be so much in ent, legislative power. (Art. 1. sec. 8.) It is not vested arrear as to cause additional embarrassment? It would in the Executive, nor in the Department. The sanction seem to be so from the reports. Or, if this be not true, of the Executive cannot justify it, unless the Executive is is he ignorant of the condition of the Department, and higher than the constitution. And this violation, direct does he require the aid of the minority of the committee and apparent, has taken place under the most aggravating to instruct him that he is not so much in debt as he be- circumstances. That Department has been uniformly lieved himself to be? He ought to have called in their praised by the Executive himself, and his advocates. valuable aid before he made his statement. But, Mr. has been represented as economical, efficient, prosperPresident, I rely on his admission. He would not rep-ous. Applause has been constantly claimed by the resent his insolvency greater than it is. He has borrowed party for its skill and energy. Yet, amidst all these more than the minority estimate the deficiency, and he praises, by which the public have been deluded, it was would not, I hope, violate the constitution and laws from sinking into bankruptcy, and at length resorted to bormere caprice, and borrow more money than he needed. rowing money, secretly, without the knowledge of the VOL. X.--121 It SENATE.] Reports on the Post Office. [JUNE 10, 1834. And it is the people or of Congress. Nay, more; while Congress, the ment the transportation at the lowest rate. only constitutional power, was here, in session, and told duty of the Department to accept the lowest bid, where that it was in a "satisfactory" condition, within a mile of the execution of the contract can be properly secured. the Capitol, when, at any moment, its true condition But neither object seems to have been regarded in various might have been explained, and money to meet its wants instances. The whole arrangement is not only suscep legally and constitutionally appropriated, it has resorted tible of abuse, but leads, by almost inevitable consequence, to illegal loans to sustain itself. If higher insult can be to the most detestable frauds. Bids are made; some faoffered to the Legislative department, it must be devised vorite puts in so low as to secure the contract. He is in by the same agents; it is beyond the comprehension of no danger of loss; he is not held to his bid; for before ordinary minds. If more grievous infractions of law can the contract is executed, or shortly after it, it is altered, be perpetrated, let these same agents proceed without and with or without change of service; and the compenrebuke by the people, and they will accomplish them. sation increased to an extravagant extent, greatly above Congress is asked to give the money to pay these illegal the offers of his competitors. liabilities. Can it be done while they remain in office to repeat their aggressions? 3. By the 39th section of the same law, it is made the duty of the Postmaster General "to report annually to Congress every post road which shall not, after the second year from its establishment, have produced one-third of the expense of carrying the mail on the same." Has this requirement been complied with? Take the $40 contract, referred to in the report. Its history ought to be written where it will not be erased or 2. By the first section of the law of the 3d of March, forgotten. It was a route, if I remember correctly, be1825, "to reduce into one the several acts establishing tween Hagerstown and McConnelsburg. The bids were and regulating the Post Office Department,' ," the Post- all apparently fair. They were opened-the old contractmaster General is authorized to "appoint two assistants, or had bid some $300 for twice a week, or $600 for and such clerks as may be necessary for the performance three times a week. Other persons bid other sums, and, of the business of his office and as are authorized by law." among the rest, Reeside bid $40, or $99 improved. I The authority to appoint is vested in the head of the De- confess I do not distinctly understand what is meant by partment; but the clerks are to be such as are authorized the $99 improved. One thing, however, is sure about by law. I do not recollect what is said in the report in it--it has talismanic influence, and gives the contractor regard to this matter, but we know from other documents more money when he wants it. The contract is entered, that the number of clerks, and the expense of paying executed, reported to Congress, and continues up to the them, have been nearly, if not entirely doubled, since time of this investigation; when it is discovered that a this administration has been in power. sum has been paid much beyond the bid, not only of the fortunate contractor, but of all the others. Inquiry is made by the committee, evaded, delayed until the arrival of the contractor, when the Postmaster General answers. And what think you was the answer? Why, that the contractor had made his bid in pencil marks; his clerk mistook the figures. He meant not $40, but $1,400-not $99 improved, but $1,999. And yet the contract had been in existence since 1831, reported to Congress, and payments made upon it; and neither contractor nor Department had discovered the error!--Credat Judæus. Take my word for it, nothing but this investigating committee would have ever caused this discovery. But, sir, did I hear this report correctly! Is it true, that after the 5. The law had taken care to guard these extra allow- Postmaster General had delayed answering the inquiry of ances from abuse, as far as legal provision seemed neces- the committee until the arrival of the contractor, he then sary. It gave a clear and explicit rule by which they stated, that the contract had been corrected, and reduced, were to be governed. Read the 43d section: "That no not to the bid of $40, but to that of the lowest offer made additional allowance shall be made by the Postmaster by others; and did not tell when it was done, but left the General to the contractor or carrier of any mail, on any committee to infer that it was done long since? Whereas route, over or beyond the amount stipulated in the con- it was, in truth, corrected after the committee had made tract entered into, for the transportation of the mail on the detection, aud after the contractor had made his exsuch route, unless additional service shall be required; traordinary explanation. I hope I misapprehended this and then no additional compensation shall be allowed to part of the report. 4. By the 42d section of the same act, it is declared "that no postmaster, assistant postmaster, or clerk employed in any post office, shall be a contractor, or concerned in a contract, for carrying the mail." Yet this report, and the report of the minority, both exhibit, in the case of Temple, a clerk, one of the most unjustifiable of the exhibitions of extra allowances and favoritism. exceed the exact proportion of the original amount to So, sir, these extras bave been most extravagant. The the additional duties required; and the Postmaster Gene-single one in Michigan, to which I before referred, swalral shall, in all such cases, within thirty days thereafter, [lowed up more than all the postages received in that Tertransmit to the First Comptroller of the Treasury an ac-ritory; and several of the States in the Union stand in the count of such additional services, and the compensation same condition. The line between New York and Philato be allowed therefor." Sir, as I understand the re- delphia may be regarded as a fair sample. That route port, there has not been one single provision of this sec- has always been bid and struggled for by rival companies tion habitually obeyed. They have all been violated. of stage owners. It was given to the Hagerstown and Extra allowances have been made without additional McConnelsburg contractor for $6,000. It has been services. I refer to the Michigan case; to the route from changed, and extraed, until it has risen, for the four Philadelphia to Pittsburg; and the remarkable forty dol-years, to above $100,000--I believe to $116,000. A lar case, with others. In one of these cases $10,000 most extraordinary exhibit is made by the publication of were given without any additional service. The extras the Blue Book, which shows that the extra allowances have not been governed by the proportions which the are more than one-half of the amount of all the original law requires. The reports have not been made to the contracts for carrying the mail. And now, we are inFirst Comptroller. Indeed, the whole section seems to formed that that book itself is false, and does not show have been regarded as a dead letter. It has served as their full amount. Can all this be accounted for upon a mere cover for a fraudulent favoritism. The contracts have, in many instances, been commenced in fraud, continued, and consummated, in the same spirit. The objects of bidding for contracts are, to give to every one an equal chance, and to obtain for the Govern any fair or honest principle, or motive? It may, perhaps, |