Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1829-08-20

THE Post Office Dep0rtment.-The present Post.
master General having dHrkly hnted and Duff Green
boldly made the charge, says the NewYork Spectator
,ha, Mr.. MLean the late able and efficient, pure and
honorable head ofthat department, had invoiUed I
in contracts beyond isS ability Opoy" the last mention.
ed gentleman has repealed the calumny by the follow
ing letter, under his own hand -
later to the Editor, dated Columbus, July ia, 1922
"Sr-In your paper of,ho 9Th instant, which have
Jus, seen, among other remarks respecting te post Of
fee, you observe that "Mr. Barry found the depart.
men, with high character bu, involved in contracts
beyond his ability to pay" This statement, presume
was made through inalvericnce, and withouta know
edge ofhe actual condition Of the department You
will see from my first report, that the Ia, Of July
1898, when entered upon the duties Of Postmaster
General, there was large sum due from PoStmasers
BY my last report, you will see that during the time
remained in the department. tho receipts exceeded the
expenditures about two hundred thousand dollars
As state from memory, may be Inaccurate as to the
i'exact sum.
This surplus, together with sum equal, or nearly
equal to the amount due to the department. at the
commencement ofmy present administration, with the
current revenue of the year, constitute the means in
the hands Of the Postmaster General, meet the cur
rent expenses. then submit to you and the public,
whether the Present Postmaster General found the
Adepartment involved in contracts beyond its ability
aopy"
It's known that was opposed to the establishment
Indifferent mail routes the session Of Congress be-
fore the last, as large number had been established
the previous session. But under the peculiar crcum-
stances which this time existed there seemed to be
4 strong wish among the members Of Congress, to
mass the bill which the Committee Post Roads had
reported, and stated that the department could meet
the expense, by absorbing part ofi,s surplus funds.
HI mistake not, a greater number Of routes were
established at this session. than any previous session,
which, consequently, greatly increased the expendi-
lures.
Last year the expense OF the department exceeded
is receipts about $4,000, and calculated tina, the
excess ofexpenditures the receipts OF the present
year, would amount to nearly double that sum. But,
n the amount should be greater, there will be ample
means in the hands ofthe Postmaster Gen. TO meet "al
the contracts ofthe department" During next year,
I entertained no doubt, that the revenue would be
more than equal TO the expenditure, and that SUR
seween 5000 600 and $3OO, 600 would remain in
banda and in the hands Of Postmasiers subject the
order ofthe Postmaster General.
n the exnendures of the department for four years
a, eome. should exceed the annual receipts between
esOOOO and S75,OOO, there would be no inability to
NEE, i,s engagement had no fears Of a dimnutiOn
~ revenue, so a. TO produce any embarrassment 70
the department IL could manage i's concerns 90 "a
"A retain the public confidence. II this should be
,sS,harawu. was aware, that its receipts would be
.ar;ousy affected by it. The prosperity Ofthe depart