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![handle is hein.trials/acfe0001 and id is 1 raw text is: THE POST OFF]CE DEPARTMENT,
DEBATES IN THE SENATE,
ON... .
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE CONDITION AND MANAGEMENr
oT
THE AFFAIRS OF THE GENERAL POSTP OFFiCt
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1834.
The Senate having resumed 'the eonsideration of the
motion, made yesterday, to print 30,000 copies of the
Report of the Committee on the Post Office, together
with the Report of the Minority of the Committee:
Mr. SOUTHARD said, the motion made by-him was
to print 15,000 extra copies. The Senator from North
Carolina, [Mr. MANGUMW] had moved to amend it by or-
dering 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.
My object .is, to flurnish as wide a circulation as possi-
ble to the report, both of the majority and the minority
of the committee, and of the documents selected to ac-
company them. I desire the facts exhibited by them all
to be known to the people of the United States, that
they may form their opinions upon the important subject
to which they relate, with the best and most authentic'
guides.
I understand the Senator from Georgia [Mr. FoRSYTH]
to make two'objections: first, that so large a number of
them is not necessary, and will not be usefid, because
they will be published in the newspapers, and scattered
as widely as possible. This objection is common to
every case, in which the Senate is called on to print extra
copies. It applies to the President's messages, and to
every other document of every description. It would
forbid the printing of extra copies in all cases, whatever
might be the value or importance of the information to be
communicated by them. But itis correct only in regard
to small documents. Those of great length, like 'the
present, are not, and cannot be, inserted in the ordinary
newspapers of the country. Short extracts from, or re-
ferences to them, can alone find a place; extracts and
references often calculated to mislead rather than in-
struct. Besides, they are not read and examined with
the same care as when issued in pamphlet form by the
Legislative authority. In that shape they are read more
diligently, circulated more widely, and preserved with
more care for future reference. This is the object in the
present instance. I desire that as many of the people of
the United States as is practicable may have these reports
in their hands, with full opportunity to read, examine,
and refer to them; and that they may also have the do-
cuments 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 this depart-
ment. Let light be scattered. Let means of forming a
just judgment be afforded, and that judgment will be
pronounced by the public. In the second place, the Sena-
tor objects, because it will cost a large sum, and be an
unjustifiable squandering and waste of public money.
Whether this be so, depends entirely, in my- apprehen-
sion, upon the importance of the document itself. If
the information be useful and necessary, ther, - can be no
waste in communicating it to the people. Under oul
institutions, where the people judge and control their
public officers; where, to discharge'their duties wisely,
and exercise their rights justly, accurate information re-
specting the' conduct of their agents is indispensable.
where, if they are led into error by false 'professions, and
concealment of criminal conduct, the most fatal conse-
quences to them and to their institutions may folloW;
there is, there can be, no wiser and better course, in the
expenditure of their money, than to distribute informa-
tion of the conduct and management of their concerns for
their use and benefit.
The true inquiry for us to make is, is the document
of sufficient value and importance to justify the expendi-
ture? 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 Gov-
ernment-to one, most important to the interest and con-
venience 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 pub-
lic matters, are affected constantly, almost daily, by its
action. It extends its influence from the crowded city
to the remotest and most isolated hut in the land. Every
man feels it-every citizen depends more or less upon it
for his convenience, and comfort, and prosperity.
It relates, too, to a department ofwider and more direct
influence upon popular opinion and popular elections,
than any other in the Government. If used for corrupt
purposes, it may have the most fatal influence upon the
elections and the prosperity of the nation. With its ar-
my of many thousands of agents, scattered over every
mile of our territory, its potency is almost irresistible-
the poison of its corruption, if corruption exists, will de-
bilitate and weaken the political and moral energies of the
people. The President, in one of his messages to which
I shall refer, has well described its importance; and, in
proportion to that importance, is the necessity of accu-
rate information as to its condition and conductL
it is also a department, of which more complaints
have been made for several years past, than of any other
portion of the Government. Its irregularity, its failures,
its want of system, its alleged corruptions and misconduct,
have been the burden of private and of public accusation
and rebuke-not confined to the opponents of the exist.
ing administration, but extending to many of its most de-
voted advocates. And these complaints have not been
without cause. There is not a man in the community
who does not know that they are just. Now, sir, I de-
sire that its condition shall be explained-that the rea.
sons for its failure to answer completely the great ob-
jects for which it was created and is now sustained, should
be exhibited to the people; and I am willing that enough
of the people's money should be used, to communicate
to them the most accurate knowledge upon such a uh
ject.
But, sir, what do these reports and documents coq](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.trials/acfe0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)