Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-13


department was at that time
really indebted beyond the
whole amount Of its re-
sources including its credits, 2,8i4 40
Showing an admitted error in
that report OF S2O5,6o5 ~
c.
In descending to the items, and comparing
one by one the contracts, as set forth and GER
tilted in one report OF the Postmaster General,
with the same contracts as set forth in another
! Of his reports are discrepancies still more re-
markabe Your committee have set forth
few of these instances by way Of example.
The Postmaster General, in his report of the
18th of April, 1892, doc 2l2, D. l2,) states that
Stockton and Neil had contracted to carry the
mail on routes Nos. 1901, 1902 1909, and
| l,400; that is to say from Cumberland to
Wheeling Washington to Frederick and from
| Frederick TO Winchester, at 1000 per. annum.
| BY the advertisements, these routes were to 60
into operation on the lst of January, 1882.
In his report to the Senate, ofthe Sd OF March,
1884, Doc l39 o. 204. he states the same con-
tract at S 5, $50 per annum exclusive Of enor-
nous extra allowances which, as they do not
relate to the branch Of the subject now under
consideration, we pass by for the present. The
difference between the report Ofthls contract IN
April, 1892, and March, 1884, is $3.50 per an
num- amounting in the four years, the duration
Of the contract to $4,000.
In his report of April, Is 1892 Doc. 2l2. p. H.
he states that r. G.. Stockton and VIM. NELL are
contractors to carry the mail on routes Nos.
sol and others, including large number OF
routes principally in Ohio, at an annual com
pensation of $4,000
In his report Of March 3, 1884, [Doc.
13S, D. 210. he states that VIM. NELL &
Co. are contractors on the same routes,
at an annual compensation of 50,4l0
Making difference in favor Of the con-
tractor, per annum, of s2o,4l0
During the contract, Of $Sl,64l
In his report of April IS, 1882, Doc. PIP, p.
4. he states that Reside e. Slaymaker are con-
tractors for carrying the mail from Philadelphia
to Pittsburgh, at an annual compensation OF
$1,000
From Pittsburg to Washington, 1880
Making in the aggregate S8,250
In his report of March 3, 1884, Doc 1873, p.
199 he states the contractas from Philadelphia
to Pittsburgh, from Pittsburg to Washington,
and from Washington to WheeLing, at an annual
compensation of S27,070
Making a difference per annum Of 1880
And in four years, Of $4,000
The line from Washington to Wheeling is in
the report Of April, 1882. Doc 1873, p. 204. I'll
is not mentioned as part Of the contract of
Reside & Slaymaker.
In his report Doc. 2l2, p. 2. of the 18th of
April, 1882, the Postmaster General states that
James Reside is the contractor for carrying the
mail from Philadelphia to New Y DIRK daily, at an
annual compensation of $4,000
In his report Doc. 1873, page 1856. of
March g. 1884, he states the same con-
tract as twice day, and the compensa-
ton, per annum, at 10000
Making a difference per annum Of 1880
And in four years of $4,000
These are but a few out of numerous class
of cases, many ofwhich will be set out at large
in subsequent part of this report. From them
your committee has been constrained to draw
conclusions most unfavorable to the general &C
curacy of the department. and though ALL or
nearly all, of the cases which follow have been |
differently represented in different reports of the
department, they are not selected with special
view to that circumstance. We detail them be |
cause they form parts of transactions with ndi- |
vduals, some, it is true, of small Importance,
andothers of great magnitude, but altogether,
involving almost every conceivable variety of
abuse; some of them in direct violation Of law, |
and some subversve Of the common principles |
of justice and fair dealing between man and
man.
The first case examined by your committee
was a contract with Gen. George House, of Gal |
lpos, in the State of Ohio, and the following is |
the transaction somewhat in detail, as it appear
ed in evidence:
At the lettings Doc. III, p. 5. in October,
1880, route No. 1875, from Coesmouth to CALI |
polls, was taken by John Black, at the yearly |
compensation of 1894, commencing on the 1st
of January, 1881, and ending the 31st Deem
Der, 1884.
On the files of the department is letter from
House to the Postmaster General, dated at
Washington, January 2sth, 1881, in which he
proposes to carry the mail three times week
in steamboat, from Charleston, Kenhawa, to
Gallipolis, at $50 per mile, per annum to com
mence as soon as his boat should be ready IN
the spring; and he adds that his proposition IS
made in pursuance of request or directions of
the department, made to Judge Hayward in
nacanahor Itl,onA Last The estimated distance