Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-08-16

GENERAL POST OFFICE,
Jaly7, 1923.
The Postmaster General has observed that
BONE of the contractors for the conveyance of
the mail, seem to be Indifferent, as well to the
manner in which the mail is conveyed, as to
the time in which it is delivered. Where the
mail is carried on horseback, the obligation is
positive, that 1t shall be covered, so as to pro-
tect it from the weather-where it is convey
ed in carriage the obligation is equally posi-
tive, that it shall be kept under cover.
In consequence of the repeated violations
of the above obligations, the Postmaster Gene
raj gives notice, that, in every instance, in
which the contractor shall fail to convey the
mail under cover, as the terms ofhs contract
require, or shall fail in delivering it at the
time directed, fine shall be assessed, which
shall only be RENTED, on showing that the
omission or failure did not proceed from ne
glgence. And if this remedy should prove
Intellectual, the conveyance will be placed in
other hands, t
Many of the complaints which are 80 re-
peatedly made against the Post Office Depart
fnent, arise from the negligence of Postmas-
ters-nstice is therefore given, that these
complaints shall be strictly attended to, and
the proper remedy applied. 1t is particularly
enjoined on those who have the care of dstri-
buting Offices, that they employ in their re-
spective offices only such clerks as are entire
ly competent. Letters are mis-sent frequent
ly, by those employed in distributing offices,
who are not sufficiently acquainted with the
geography ofthe country to give the proper
direction to the different letters
For years past, the money realized by the
General Post-OHice, has been less than its ex-
pendthres. The quarter ending on the 3lst
rf March laot loft n lac - sc e.
thousand dollars, and it is believed, that there
is deficiency equally as large for the ensuing
auarter. This evil is rapidly increasing, and
must essentially impede the operations of the
DEPARTMENT, unless an efectual remedy be ap-
piled. The remedy can only be found, by APP
preparations from the Treasury, by restr citing
the travel of the mail, or by inducing postmas.
tiers to be more punctual in paying the moneys
received by them. The list Of delnquincies
which the Office now exhibits, shows a most
culpable negligence of many Postmasters, in
this respect. lnfuture, where any Postmaster
shall neglect to pay overas directed, within
reasonable time, the moneys he may have re.
ceived for postage, he shall be deemed guilty
of an omission of an important duty, and the
Postmaster General will apply most effectual
means to prevent a second failure.
tits expected that those Postmasters who
have appropriated the public money to
their own use, and have for years evinced but
little disposition to refund it, will pay their re-.
spective balances without delay
Ifmoneys received as above had been faith
fully paid over, the expenditures Of the Post
Office Department would not exceed the sums
received The operations of Department SO
essential to the interests of the community, as
are those of the Post Office, should not be inn
peded by the negligence or faithlessness of
some of its agents. A relaxation from any po-
sitive duty, by any who are concerned in the
shove operations, cannot fail to produce some
Inconvenience or loss to the public. And un-
less the most effectrial remedies be applied, a
failure in one point, will but encourage negli-
gencc, and insure other failures. until the
whole system will become paralyzed. The
Post-Ofice Department, to secure the impor-
tant objects of its establishment, must be con-
Quoted with the utmost degree of energy.
This shall be the constant aim of the Postmas-
ter General. He is happy to acknowledge,
shat great majority of Postmasters and con-
tractors, are not only competent to the dis
charge Of their respective duties, but are
prompt and energetic in the discharge of them.
The Postmaster General most confidently re-
lies on the cooperation Ct such in his endea-
vors to give energy to the operation Of his de-
psftment. %
LITTLE ROCK, "a. ~ JuLr 70.
On Tuesday evening last, three men arrived
here from the upper waters of the Arkansas,