Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-08-26

and an old LADY, HudsoDStreet received
him as youngest brother Of her deceased
husband. The Police are on the alert after
him.
Letter to The Editor of the Umted States
Telegraph, dated
CoLUMBUs, July l3. 1929
SIR:-ln your paper OF the 9Th instant,
which | have Just seen, among other re-
marks respecting the Post Ofi,e. YOU OBJ
serve that Mr. Barry fouad tie depart
ment with high character, bat involved
in contracts beyond its ability to pay"
This statement, presume, vas made
through lnadyertence. and without knowl-
edge Of the actual condition of the depart
ment. You will see from my first report,
that on tJuly 1923, when entered upon
the duties Of Post Master General, there
was large sum due from Post Masters.
BY my last report, you will see that during
the time remained in the department, the
receipts exceeded the expenditures about
two bundled thousand dollars. As state
from memory, Imay be inaccurate as 10 the
exact sum.
The surplus, together with a sum equal
or nearly equal, to the amount due o the
department, at the commencement of my
administration, with the current revenue of
the year. constitute the means 10 the hands
of the Post Master General. to meet tho
current expenses | submit then 10 YOU
and the public, whether the present Post
Master General found the department "in-
volyed in contracts beyond its abilities to
pay"
II is known that was opposed 10 the es-
adjustment of additional mail routes in tho
session of Congress- before the last. as a
large number had been established the pre-
vious session. Butunder the peculiar CIR
cumstances which at that time existed,
there seemed to be a strong wish among
the members of Congress, to pass the Bin
hich the Committee on Post Roads had
reported; and ] stated thai the department
could meet the expense, by absorbing a
part Of its surplus funds. III mistake not,
greater number Of routes we're establish
ed at this session. than any previous ses-
sion, which. consequently, greatly encreas-
ed the expenditures.
Last year, the expense ofthe department
exceeded ITS receipts about twenty five
thousand dollars, and calculated the ex-
cess Of expenditures over the receipts Of
the present year, would probably amount
to nearly double that sum. But, II the a.
mount soUd be greater. there will be am
/ pie means 10 the hands of the Post Master
General. to meet '.all the contracts Of the
department" During next year, | enter
tanned no doubt, that the revenue would DO
more than equal to the expenditure, and
thar a surplus Of between two and three
hundred thousand dollars would remain IN
hands, and ~ the hands Of Post Masters,
( subject TO the order ofihe Post Master Gen
eral
I Ii the expenditures Of the department Tor
four years TO come, should exceed the an-
nual receipts between fifty and seventy
thousand dollars, there would be 90 lnaba-
II ty TO meet its engagements. | bad no
/ fears Of diminution Of revenue. 80 as 10
produce any embarrassment 70 the depart
ment, if | could manage ITS concerns 50 az
10 retain the public confidence. II this
should be Withdrawn, ] was aware. that its
receipts would be seriously effected BY il.
The prosperity Of the department ought
rot TO be estimated by the surplus Of 70
ceipts over expenditures. 4 very bad adj
minlsiration Of its affairs. might show a
considerable surplus. Had remained in
%, should have graduated the expeudi.
lures, 81 as 10 absorb, within gwen Deri-
cd, the whole Of its revenue. By extend
ing the operation oftbe department. the
public interest IS subserved, and the rev.
enue encreased, The funds should be kent
active, and not suffered 10 accumulate IN
the hands Of Post Masters and banks I'M
less they are to be appropriated to other
objects.
The true test Of a successful administra.
ton Of the department, is in the extension
Of .i5 operations, liuitod only by iis means
and 10 the yIgIlence and falthfslncss OF its
agents. Very respectfully your obi serv't
.Er. Duff Grsln. JOHN McLEANs
| have, very hastily written the aboyg.
trusting 70 memory for TIA fsc1s.