Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-02-10

weekly, in the mail, more than fifty 10
hundred papers, but some Offices are
known to send from ten to twenty thou
sand. From the best data, on which a
calculation can be made, it is believed,
that something near the estimated result
msy be produced. But, as tiity per cent.
OF the postage on new spspers is paid to
Postmasters for their compensation, only
one half OF the increased receipts, from
this item, will be added to the means OF
the Department.
the DEFICIENCIES in the receipts from
this item, which are believed TO exist, do
not arise from any want oil integrity IN
,Postmasters, bu, rather from 'ndulgen-
cies which they are IN the practice OF ex-
tending for newspaper postage. II Is
believed, that they generally render an
account of the amount received, but they
fail to collect what might be required III
advance. An arrangement will soon be
made, to draw drafts on each Pos,mas-
ter, quarterly, for the postage received.
This will be done, by arranging the dit
ferent Post Offices under the numbers OF
the respective routes Oh which they are
situated, and requiring the receipts OF
the Offices on each route 10 be exhausted
by drafts TO the contractor for the route,
before be is paid from any other source.
/ there be a deficiency of funds on the
route TO pay the contractor, he can be
pad by drafts on some other nVenent
Offices, or by checks on banks where
f,ds OF the Department may be depo-
sited.
Ii there be surplus Of funds on the
route, they can be drawn tor IN favor OF
some contractor on convenient route,
or deposited in some bank, as conve-
nience may require. The large offices
will all be required to deposite in banks.
This arrangement will supersede the
practice of renting by mail, as hereto
fore, and it will induce much greater
punctuality of payment, as Postmasters
will always expect quarterly drafts, how
ever small their receipts, This plan
will enable the Department to realize,
quarterly, the postage paid, more Ger
tainly, it is believed, than any other mode
which can be adopt d.
In making re ttances TO the Depart
ment, about one thousand dollars have
been lost, annually and, as the same
r.9ncy is sent by mail to contractors,
sometimes into the neighhorhood from
whence it was RENTED, the loss IN the
transmission must at least be equal to
:hat of RENTING BY Postmasters. By
the arrangement proposed, the labor OF
the Department will be 'essened, and the
moneys appropriated will always appear
by the transactions of the Office, without
pass ng through the hand, OIL any one
employed IN the General Post Office.
No check whatever, except the inte-
gritty of the Postmaster, and OF the re-
ceiving clerk in the Department, has
heretofore existed Tor all the moneys
which have been rcmi,ted. If the POST
master states that he has remiued any
amount, and will make affidavit Of the
fact, he obtains credit, though the mo-
new has never been received. Should
the clerk who receives the quarterly re-
turn, in which the remittance is usually
enclosed, take the amount, and destroy
the return, there is nothing that can lead
to discovery. The return is supposed
to have been lost in the conveyance.
Without entertaining any Liberal sus-
picions against either Postmasters or
clerks, such system is considered as
radically defective, and change is
deemed indispensable. 1t is believed,
that no change is preferable to the one
contemplated, as it will give certainty,
and, al the same time, simplify and les
sen the labor of the Department. Be-
fore the commencement OF the ensuing
session of Congress, copies OF all con-
tracts for the conveyance OF the mail,
made prior to the LIST Of July last, will
be deposited in the Treasury. After
that period, duplicate Of all contracts
will be filed in the Treasury Depart
ment, as the law requires.
Accounts have been rendered to the
Treasury, up to the Soth September,
1921. This part Of tina business Of the
Office has not generally been brought
up, as near the current transactions, as
at present; but i, is contemplated to have
the accounts rendered 10 the Treasury
as promptly, in future, as the operations
OF the Department will admit
I have the honor to be, most respect
fully, your obedient servant,
JOHN M'LEAN.
Tie PRESIDENT of.ls Tinted States.
SLAVERY IN MARYLAND.