Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-02
FoR THE WING.

McsSrs. Editors II heard much Of the report of
the Post Office Committee during the last Con-
gross, and have been ever since anxious to it,
but have never been gratificd till within n few
weeks past, when Il friend in Washington loaned
me copy. The report certainly exhibits most
extraordinary mode of conducting the affairs of
the Post Office Department., and in none moro
than the extra pay to particular contractors-the
reasons assigned for such extra allowance are also
exit aordinary and amusing, and but for their 9Th
would receive noticc--but my object at present
being merely to call public attention to one or
more instances OF those extra cases, will proceed
to notice the one between Baltimore and Washing
ton City-a contract of $780, where, for the pre-
text of half an hours expedition, the enormous
sum OF S23OO extra per. annum, was allowed.
Now, that the worthy contractor has at times diff
cuties TO encounter in transporting the mail | am
ready TO admit, and so presume have all the con-
tractors-but don't that they are all equally
sympathZed with by the Department, nor ought
any TO be to the extent in the case noticed. Bv
the Post Office law which have, and which pre-
sumo is the that governs the Department, it is
specially stipulated chat no additional allowance
shall be made by the Post Master General, to the
contractor or carrier OF the mail on any route, over
| or beyond the amount stipulated in the contract
unless additional service shall be requirad and then
no additional compensation shall be allowed, to en-
coed the exact proportion of the original amount TO
| the additional duties required"
! Here have strong evidence of the little re-
gard paid to the law establishing that department :;
for, instead of the exact proportion for additional
services required, which would be about 20 per
cent, see, by their own showing, that the extra
allowance is equal TO $50 per ccnt--Say 33, 200.-
II is true, that the Post Master General states that
that extra allowance afterwards reduced to
$1,000 leaving the regular pay at s32S00 per an
mum but he says nothing about the balance OF
chat extra pay being transferred to another con-
tract, for the same Contractor. How does that
stand Is there not document, documents,
in the archives of the department. that would
throw much light on that and other subjccs2 1t
seems strange to me, why in the investigations of
Post Office affairs the evidence of the only man
| in the country who is capable of examining and
explaining fully the qualifications of that depart
mcnt should not have been obtained, but presume
it is not too late. But again-as to the extra al
lowances on the Baltimore road, Mr.. Barrys let
ter to the Chairman Of the Committee states that
| "the contract first mentioned was made by my
predecessor-the last by myseif'-ailudng to the
two contracts for extra pay, presume if So he
tainly does Mr. Mclean great injustice, for besides
It's being contrary to Mr.. McEs known practice, as
am informed, the dates will fix them both on Mr.. b.
am indebted for some OF my information, to an
intelligent ncighbOr of mine, who was many years
since a Post Master, and who notices the move
ments of the Department, with lively scnsibhty.
lie tells me of some strange reports of mail
lines being established and run with wonderful
success by tavortcs without capital, &c, which
L may notice in future address, when | shall also
take occasion to notice the extraordinary mode of
letting contracts, exhibited by tho report, and
the singular reasons assigned for giving eforence.