Chapter VIII: Section VIII

HOW SHALL THE GOVERNMENT DISCHARGE THIS DUTY?

WE NEED A STEAM MAIL SYSTEM: HOW OUR LINES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED:
AMERICAN AND BRITISH POLICY CONTRASTED: SPASMODIC AND ENDURING
LEGISLATION: MR. POLK'S ADMINISTRATION ENDEAVORED TO INAUGURATE A
POLICY: GEN. RUSK ENDEAVORED TO EXTEND IT: THE TERM OF SERVICE TOO
SHORT: COMPANIES SHOULD HAVE LONGER PERIODS: A LEGISLATION OF
EXPEDIENTS: MUST SUBSIDIZE PRIVATE COMPANIES FOR A LONG TERM OF
YEARS: SHOULD WE GIVE TO OUR POSTAL VESSELS THE NAVAL FEATURE: OUR
MAIL LINES GAVE AN IMPULSE TO SHIP-BUILDING: LET US HAVE STEAM
MAILS ON THEIR MERITS: NO NAVAL FEATURE SUBTERFUGES: THESE VESSELS
HIGHLY USEFUL IN WAR: THEY LIBERALLY SUPPLY THE NAVY WITH
EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS WHEN NECESSARY: THE BRITISH MAIL PACKETS
GENERALLY FIT FOR WAR SERVICE: LORD CANNING'S REPORT: EXPEDIENTS
PROPOSED FOR CARRYING THE MAILS: BY FOREIGN INSTEAD OF AMERICAN
VESSELS: DEGRADING EXPEDIENCY AND SUBSERVIENCY: WE CAN NOT SECURE
MAIL SERVICE BY GIVING THE GROSS RECEIPTS: THE GENERAL TREASURY
SHOULD PAY FOR THE TRANSMARINE POST: REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW
CONTRACTS: METHOD OF MAKING CONTRACTS: THE LOWEST BIDDER AND THE
LAND SERVICE: THE OCEAN SERVICE VERY DIFFERENT: BUT LITTLE
UNDERSTOOD: LOWEST-BIDDER SYSTEM FAILURES: SENATOR RUSK'S OPINION:
INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF LOWEST BIDDER: INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS AND RIGHTS.