Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-07

% .s,;on. I propose to give the history of one
GU, contracts, as an illustration of the whole
principle;
lwon I.ynchburg, three times week, in
w. horse post coaches, distance of
o lO miles. at $50 mile, $4,000
~ ordered to run four additional trips
"rreek from Washington City to War
s'ton distance of so miles, for which
t.rss allowed less than $50 mile, when
e. The extra service of four additional
rms should have been allowed $40 a
n Illn n ai me, Of 1900
uas afterwards ordered TO run Tour ad-
a;t;onal trips to Orange Court House, a
distance of as miles, for which extra ser
r;cs was entitled to $40 mile, a.
sav;t as srfra COMPENSATION, only 1900
shortIv after was ordered to run from
ORANGE 10 Lynchburg four additional
rims. a distance Of los miles, for which
srtrd service was entitled to the extra
compensation of $40 mile, amounting
to the sum of 81, 200, but only received
the sum OF 4,uUo
This last Improvement made the line daily TO
Iynchburg; and was paid, as extra compelasd-
hon. the sum of $500 for what2 Nothing2-
No. but for running four e,rtra trips week from
Washington City to Lynchburg, distance of
200 miles, and for which | was fairly entitled,
according to the principles of my contract, to
the sum of So, 900. These improvements were
earnestly pressed by the people on the line, and
excited some interest in this town. will give
an extract from the letter of our then Represen-
ID 10 HOW hot hon
a wish of the Improvement in question:
Three Districts bind on mine, on the east
ern side of the Ridge Those Districts have all
one daily line, and two of them have two, rum
ming in different directions. Why should it be
that mine is alone denied the accommodation
given to others2 | beg only for equal justice"
Extra compensation is not matter in the dis
sretion of the Post Master General. The prin-
oiple is prescribed by law. He cannot allow
more than the principle of the contract but he
may allow less. For instance, by my original
contract get $50 mile; and for running three
trips week from Washington City to Warren
ton, distance of50 miles, get $1,000 year.
The Post Master General, for the e.rtra service
drumming three additional trips over the same
ground, might have allowed, but could not have
exceeded, the sum of 81 500: he allowed me the
sum of S 200 only.
If contract is made for horse mail only,
that contract is preserved; and if the route be
improved into stages, in the hands of that con-
tractor the whole sum paid for this extra service
is put down as extra compensation. 1t is extra.
because it is over and above the sum stipulated
in the original contract; as the service is called
extra, for the like reason.
With these principles, you viii understand
why, in the old and crowded States of the East,
extras do not appear so frequently-they had
received nearly all they could ask;-why, in the
Middle States, they appear so numerous, &c
&c. The stars which indicate these allowances,
are not excited by epestilential miasma ola dis
eased and unhealthy state, but clearly indicate
increasing intelligence, health, andprosperity in
the body polite.
These remarks are submitted5 that the mis-
conception in relation to extra compensation
may be enlightened, and individuals relieved
from the imputation of unworthy motives
never suspected the Post Master General, for
one moment, of being influenced by corrupt
considerations, when he yielded, as in my case,
TO earnest solicitations Of the People and their
Representatives,. And certain it is, that never
dreamed of receiving the wages of corruption,
when acas erecuting the will of the Post Mas
Ter General and the People; and that, too, for
an extra compensation not equivalentto the ertra
service agreed to perform.
implicated, as am, by the bitterness of party
elimination, might be excused if | INDUCED in
aenuncaton; but as my object issto force truth
into the embrace of political intolerance, have
determined to suppress all excitement, and pre-
sent this calm and dispassionate exposition OF
lne principle ofmy relations with the Post Ohio
misunderstanding it the best rebuke otig-
norance or SANDER You will please insert it in
Your next paper.
Respectfully, yours, VIM. SMITH.
Alexandria, April 4, 1884.