THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

Evening Star, Issue 2989, 17 September 1872, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

When we exposed the falsity of the alleged report of a debate in the American Congress on Mr Webb’s application for a subsidy, some of our contemporaries— opponents of the Fox Government, of course—openly stated that we did so by inspiration ; and the insinuation was made that ours was an unsupported statement, which we were bound to publish, not being able to refuse any Ministerial contribution. We can afford to treat such calumnies with contempt, and only again allude to the subject because our observations on the occasion referred to, and the view we then took, turn out, as we felt sure they would, to be correct. The Alta California is one of the most respectable journals in America, and is the Argus of the Eastern States. Our correspondent at Auckland telegraphs us an extract from that paper’s editorial, which we subjoin The Alta California, referring to a letter in its columns signed “Truth,” says:— “ Truth’s ” letter has exposed this contemptible piece of deception. If there are people among us who desire to injure Mr Webb in bis efforts’ for commerce and San Francisco let it bo done openly. To neutralise Ur Webb’s Colonial negotiations, parties here have prepared the Senators’ speeches on the Australian Bill last May, quoted in the Auckland papers as creating immense laughter and cheering. The thing was never heard in our grave and dignified Senate. On searching our liles of the Alta, we find that the debate took place eighteen months ago when the China Mail Bill was before the Senate. We excuse our Colonial contemporaries in view of the fraud practised upon them for their condemnation of the Californion press. In spite of much bitterness, the China Bill became law, and the same result awaits the Australian Bill next session.”

In another issue the Alta says:—“ The Dacotah sails for New York to take her place on the line, and the Santiago de Cuba, now in dock, is to be placed on the same route ; and depend upon it Mr Webb would not spend much money unless he was positively certain of obtaining the States subsidy when Congress meets. Settle the question among yourselves as to where the terminus of the line shall be —Auckland, Sydney, or Melbourne ; by that time there will be five first-cl ass ships on the line. Our own idea is that the American line might terminate at Samoa, with as many branch lines, calling at Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, New Caledonia, and Fiji, as the Colonial Governments deem requisite.”

The history of the precious report, which has caused all this discussion, is this It was received by the New Zealand Herald in MS., and was carefully forwarded in the same way to the Sydney Mornimj Herald and Melbourne Aryus. When the cjcposd came, the New Zealand Herald was fiauk enough to admit that it came to it in an irregular manner, and promised to institute every inquiry into the matter. We should have thought the proper way would have been to have made the inquiry first, and not after all the mischief was done.