Mr. POSTER. No doubt the law can be so framed as to work out that result; but I do not think this resolution does it now. My object in making this motion is that the measure may be referred to the committee; and as the honorable Senfrom California [Mr. Cosxnss] suggested that this company 0 not wish to monopolize the whole matter of carrying mails in the Pacific, the postoffice Committee on conferring with the postoffice dept may come to the conclusion that it will)be advisable to advertise again for proposals for carryin the mail from SanFrancisco to the Sandwic Islands, and so make a new contract for this portion of the service. Meantime there is no injury either to the Government or to this company by allowing the matter to stand over until the next session, for by the original contract, entered into under the law of February, 1865, nothing is to be done by this company for the Government until after the 1st of January 1867. By the 2nd section of the act of February 17, 1865, it is provided: “That any contractwhich the PostMGenl may executeunder the authority of this act shall {67111}0 effecton or before the 1st day of January, It is not until after the 1st of next January that anythin is to be done. We are, therefore, really ( slaying nothing in the strictest sense; we are simply postponing the matter as it now stands, so that we may be prepared to perfect it before, under the terms of the contract, they shall be in to execute it. I submit, then, that in order to harmonize these interests, to promote, as it is the object of us all to promote, trade and commerce between the SandwichIslands and the Pacific coast and between the Pacific coast and China and japan, we should postpone the resolution, recoinmit it to the committee, and ascertain whether there will not be, as I have no doubt there can be, an entire unanimity of opinion arrived at as to how these conflictin interests may be harmonized. It is most desirable that it should be done; that instead of bein made antagonistic they should he made real y promotive of each other. Sir, the PostMGenl does not in his letter intimate that there is any haste about action in this matter. On the contrary he says distinctly in his letteras given to us on page 6 of the committee’s report: “In determining the question when the company’s steamers shall be relieved if at all. from calling at the SandwichIslands on their voyages in either direction.it should be borne in in ad that until the completion of the Pacific railroad. the gencral interbseyts of commerce will not be material advanced permitting the steamersto take the direct route either way.” That is a most significant remark. Why should we relieve this company from a portion of the contract most desirable to be performed, if it is not to facilitate commerce in another direction? No doubt it romotes theinterests of the company to diminish their expenses, while you allow them the same rate of compensation. The company are no doubt watchful of their interests but we should be watchful of the interests of the Government and of the people; and the PostMGenl says distinctly that the interests of commerce will not be materially promoted by taking a different route either way until the comletion of the Pacific railroad, “as prior to that timc” he now goes on to give the reason “the line between China and Europe, via SanFrancisco and NewYork, will not be an equal competitor in point of expedition with the existing lines between Europe and China via Suez.” I know that my enthusiastic friend on my left [Mr. COxxsss] and intelli eat as he is enthusiastic thinks that we she I at once, by this direct route, distance all competition either by way of Marseilles or by way of Suez; but the PostMGenl thinks otherwise, and it is possible that the honorable Senfrom California maybe mistaken. At all events I think this officer at the head of the Depart. ment, having all the facts before him, speaks in such a way as that we should give heed to what he says, especially when this contract does not begin to e executed until after Jan uary 1, 1867, by its own terms. Mr. President, I repeat that I believe, and must believe from the evidence here before us, that the interests of the country, the interests of commerce, the whaling interest, the commercial interests between China, Japan, and the U.S., the trade in teas, silks, and all kinds of merchandise will be romoted by having this resolution recommitted to the committee and something more perfect and mature presented to us than we have now before us. t is, perhaps, not quite impossible at this stage of the session, when the thermometer ranges as it does, to perfect the details of this measure, but it is most inconvenient, and wholly unnecessary, as it is not to go into effect until after the lst of January next. I submit, therefore, with great confidence that it will be the part of wisdom to reeommit the resolution. obody‘s interests will be prejudiced, and nobody will be delayed; but the prosperity as well as the comfort and interest of aIwill be romoted.