Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-07-04
Twcmty-tllIrd COngress.--Ist sess
VIEW OF THE MINORITY
Ofhe Committee on The Post Office and Post Rodd

CONCLUDES
Avery, Tompkns and SAltmarsh, are contractors for
Transporting the mail OH several roue among hch are
the from Petersburg Va by Warren,on, n c. and
Raleigh, to Fayetteville, 2O3 miles, constituting part OF
the main daily line between the northern aud southern
States, to New Orleans. These involved in
their with other routes, which do belong
the main southern mail line, round for the whole,
without defining the proportion which belongs TO each
separate route.
One of their contract is for running fasr times a
week. in four horse post coaches between Petersburg aud
WarrentoD, So miles; for running four times week be-
tween Warenton and Raleigh 81 miles, in four horse post
coaches; for running daily between R5eigh and
ve 81 miles, ia four horse post coaches for running
three times week between Halifax aud Raleigh, Sc
miles, in four horse post coaches; and for The whole OF
these FIVE routes, they to receive 1921 900 year.
Another Is Tor running three times week between Nash
vile and Tarborough, N c. % miles in tive horse stages
at $4so year. anu Tor running once week on horseoacs
between EuIied and Marlborough ~ miles, at $40 year.
These contracts all bear date October 90 1880; 10
January l, 1881, and to continue four years.
From the first OF the above routes they required
10 mail divergng from the main Dia-
mond Grove, nine miles, Jacksonville, for which adj
dlopa allowance made OF $3.50 year.
The from Petersburg to W arentoD, and from
Waren'oD to Raleigh, I42 miles, Afterwards direct
ed be daily instead OF lour times week. and TO be
so expedited to gain half of hour each way The
route from Nashville TaTberough, % miles, direct.
cd be four horse post coaches, instead Of two
horse stages. The route from Enfield to Marlborough "a
miles, directed TO be performed three times week, ia
four horse post Coaches instead OF week horse
back. For these several Improvements. The contractors
were allowed additional compensation at the rate OF
$4,000 year Whether this allowance greater than
what law and equity would wsgrst proper sui5cc, OF
inquiry; pro allowance for three additional trips per
week between Petersburg and Releigh, via WsTenton,
provided is allowed Tor carrying the great mail on
the main line than for collateral mail lines, would amount
about 900 dollars-without increase OF expedition
This would leave 900 dollars applicable 10 the improve
ment the IRON Nashville 10 Tsrborough, % miles
from two horse stage 10 four horse post coach line and
for the establishment Of tour horse post coach line three
times week from Enfield Tarborough, "a miles, in
stead OF horse mail week, and Tor the increase Of
expedition. There is rule by which pro be
ned he RON nor
for increase OF expedition The contractors furnished
satisfactory evidence TO the Department that the improve
ment ased their expense equal TO the allowance which
made, and there is no cause TO doubt it,
From the LIST Of April 1892, IL was deemed advisable
ton the great Southern mail as to bing 10 TO ASH
Dgton at nine o'clock at night instead oil Eve he next
morning, connect with the morning instead OF
the afternoon steamboat at Baltimore for Pbildbelpha;
doing This the n;ractOTs required TO expedite
gain hour between Fayetteville aud Petersburg.
In the second section of their contract ii stipulated,
that the Postmaster General may alter the times OF orri
val and departure fixed by said schedule, aud alter the
route; he making adequate compensation for any extra
expense which may be occaOaed thereby. In conform-
ty with This stipulation, the increased expedition
derod The furnished evidence TO show that il
required two additional teams eight horses aud two dr
and that the expense amounted 10 1000 dollars
This therefore allowed them by the Postmaster
Geners and appears TO have beeD than justice
and the Of their contract required.
The road between Petersburg and Raleigh, I42 miles
IL stated be unusually bad during the winter season
aud the greater weight which the mails have grown
time coaches To its regular aud rapid Transport
tson, the contractors, from December 1892 established
line of covered wagons, in which the great mail was
carried, daily dafiae the wnter, entirely TO
exclude passengers and in addition 10 this they ran
line coaches three times week by which the inierue
date add smaller offices might be supplied with The mail
This running ten times instead OF seven time week.
For this service the Postmaster General allowed them
$500 dollars The service appears 10 have been i'm
pornl TO keep without interruption The regular COM
msnicaion between tie north and the south during the
winter when these roads said 10 be extremely difficult
to pass Evidence Satisfactory 10 the Posm General,
is fled In the department 10 show that the allowance
made was bat reasonable equivalent for the expense to
which the service subjected the contractors.
contract made with James I. Robinson, dated
18Th October, 1881, transport the mail January 1882
10 December 81, 1885, between CINCINNATI Ohio, and
Georgetown, KY, az miles, daily, in four horse post
coaches for 1000 dollars year After this contract was
increased expedition given the western mail as 10
carry II from Washington city, and from BaItimors TO
Encnna in I've days less ihaa under the former
acts and arrive Cincinnati at O'Clock ~ the
pg To give 10 Kentucky the foil benefit OF this esped
lon, was deemed necessary 10 direct The contract this
Dutc, 70 leave Cincinnati every night after the srriva
nd distribution Of the mail tom tie east, at 7 o'clock
arrive Georgetown the morning by o'clock
20 a. with the mail 10 Louisville He was
therefore directed, the 20h December 1891 10 run
through IN ~ hours, instead Of IL hours his contract time
The schedule In the origns contract was, 10 leave Gin.
ciooa a. o'clock 10 The morning, and arrive 81 George.
Town by O'Clock 10 ihe evening" leave Georgetown al
IN the morning and arrive al Cincinnati by In the even.
ing, giving u hours each wsy and the day time for run
niDg. The alteration gave but IL hours each way. and
the night instead Of e day for running The contractor
alleged that this increased expedition added 10 the Difficult
y Of running 10 The night Instead Of the day subjected