Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-05-21

between Columbia and Augusta Ca On the Let of
November 1927, il was increased from three to six
trips week each way, for which the compensation to
u anu T. Malle was increased from 81 $50 to SIS 500
per year. On the lat January, 1925 &. and p Nal.
lett transferred to John Mclean that mart of their
route which lies between Camden and Columbia so
mat the whole route between Fayetteville and Angus
Ia was divided into two equal parts that part
Fayetteville and Camden belonging 10 c. and p Nal.
et' anu the part between Camden and Augusta TO John
hci'sdn The whole being traversed each way six
lines in the week, left day in each week on which
The mail rested; so that tour of the mails were carried
through rom Fayetteville in three days, and two of
any day in the transportation OF that mail i, being
me medium oil The most direct communicated between
New orean. and the Atlantic States. my predecessor
required that there should be no resting of the mail
between those two points. hut tina. il should ALWAYS be
transported from Fayetteville TO Augusta in three days
This order took effect from the 18th of JAW lS2S ts
operation required additional teams of hCrses for which
both The contractors claimed additional compen sa,ion
In October lS2S, John Mclean presented his claim for
e increased expense to which this change subjected
MN ms hall OF the route, and my predecessor allow
| ell him an additional compensation at the rate of
S34il2S per annum. c. and p. Malleu at that time
deferred presenting their claim on account of family
ahcuon. In March, 1929, they presented il, when
my predecessor stated to the person through whom il
was presented That he was then about Leaving the De-
partnent and would therefore prefer a reference of i,
| 10 ms successor Tor adjustment In June following
which was about two months after came into the De.
pattneht this claim was presC ned 10 me; and on
careful investigation OF its merits, appeared i'm eyi
dence that the additional expense which they hal actu.
any incurred, amounted to $3.50 a year, which sum
was allowed them. The change had been made and
me expense incurred by my predecessor on the whole
'he IRON Fayetteville to Augusta and for the change
my predecessor had allow ID John Mclean who was
Tie contractor Tor one half ct the line Al 2S per
year. 10 c. and p. Maleu who were IN. contractor.
.or the o'her hall OF The line and whose claim lad no,
been acted upon before into the Department
l admitted an allowance for the change OF $3.50 a
year.
3. "ReSoIred That the Postmaster Genera, be direct
ed to inform the Senate whether any change has been
made by him in the mode of carrying the mail between
Mobile and New Orleans, and, il So what fine has
been gained, and what is the additional expense;
and also, I'm what other he has made additional
compensation TO contractors, how much, and Tor what
reason, in each case.
In answer TO this resolution have the honor to state
that no essential change has been made by me in the
mode which was partially introduced by my predecessor
oil carrying the mail between Mobile and n. Orleans
a contract made by him with George Sucklev 10
carry the mail in steamboats, between those two places
three times in each week, from January LIST 1927 to
December 3ls, 1929, for 50 900 per wear The per.
tormance however, did not commence till March Ist
ISL; when the experiment demonstrated the imprac-
ucabity OF performing three trips week. without in
curing expense which his contract price would ne.
yer repay. He, therefore, carried the mail but twice
week during the continuance of his service which was
from the LIST March 1927, TO the 2st of December of
the same year, when the steamboat was burnt. The
lhaiequacy o. the compensation, and the great loss
which he had already sustained subjected the contrac
Tor TO the necessity of abandoning his conract and i'm
The month OF February following il was annulled.
My predecessor appears Justly TO have REGARDED that
route as too important TO be abandoned. He, therefore,
entered into another contract with Rhodes and Austill
TO transport the mail three times week between those
TWO points, Tor 1000 year. They commenced the
service onthc fifteenth December, 1928; but the heavy
expense incident to the undertaking, very involv-
cd them In complete pccunary ruin and, under cir
cunsanccs calling for commseration rather than CEN
sure, they compelled TO abandon the contract and
in the beginning of June, 1922 their contract was an
nucd
1t was while these men, faithful TO their undertake
ing as far as their ability extended sinking under
the burden OF their contract that came into the De-
partment.
Upon the failure of Rhodes and Austill Temporary
arrangements made to have the mail transported in
packets between those two places, at per trip each
way, and as often convenience, depending on wind
and weather, would admit. This mode, necessarily r-
regular and uncertain the Department at the rate
oil l2,iSO year for three trips per week each way
The mercantile interest of the country required re-
gular and prompt communication between n. Orleans
and the commercial cities Of the Atlantic States. 1t
was OF vital interest to the whole OF the Western States
and Territories, and to the great mercantile establish
mens of every maritime State in the Union. The in
creSts of agriculture, of commerce. and of manuac-
lures all conspred TO demand it, Two unsuccessful
efforts had been made for its accomplishments which
had excited high expectations, to be followed only with
disappontments TO the public and ruin the contrac-
tors The most important correspondence began be d
yerted from the mail TO the hazardous elements of the o.
cean as less Precarious than the only mode which
remancd; and the consequence that the of
The Department. so far as depended upon that source,
was rapidly declining. The only remedy was, a per-
severance in the mode which my had wise
" introduced; that of transporting the mail between
Mobile and New Orleans by steamboats, l. therefore,
issued an advertisement according TO law, for proposals
TO carry it in that way. Several proposals made
but most OF them by persons OF whose competency and
efficiency there satisfactory evidence. The
highest bid was for $50, 900 year. The lowest bid.
in which full confidence warranted for faithful
performance, was $4,000 year. This accepted;
and the contract made for four years, beginning in
December last with company whose long come xion
with the Department as contractors had proven them
competent to any undertakingmen whose energies and
perseverance seldom equaled, and surpassed
They have already invested nearly $50 900 in that SER
vice They have two steam boats in operation and
performing the entire satisfaction OF the Department
and of The public.
Before this route was established the communication
between the commercial cities and New Orleans was
by way OF Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, by
which route communications from this place could not
reach New Orleans in less then % days. BY means OF
the present conneXion between Mobile and New Or
leans, communications from this city reach that place in
10 days making difference OF seven days earlier than
without this arrangement While the commercial in
ieres:s OF the country highly benefited by this i'm
provement, the CELEBRITY and gularity with which
communications are now conveyed, giving to the mail
such decided advantages the sssion by ack
cts and other vessels, that correspondence between N
Orleans and the Atlantic States is carried on prin-
cipAly by this route; the from that quarter is
rapidly Increasing and il believed that its increase in
consequence of this contract will fully meet the whole
expense OF the contract
There is in which have mad, additional
compensation TO contraco7s except for increased SER
vices; and 10 has the increased compe nsaon
exceeded the exact proportion Of the original TO
the additional duties required In establish ment like
this, having nearly 1000 mail routes, over which the
mail is transported nearly II 900 900 of miles in vear
and furnishing Than 900 po't Offices with regu
lar moils through extensive country. the iace of
which is perpetuay changing, il must be obvious that