Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-19

that its proximity to another route, that from
Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Milton, North Ca
roina is such as to render it ineXpedient or inn
proper to incur the expense of a daily coach
mail on this route. On this point, we Of OPT
MON that the Postmaster General, and that the
citizens interested, including their representa-
tives in Congress, are the most competent Judg-
es. 1t runs through an important section OF the
country connecting the seats OF justice OF not
less than seven counties, including the towns OF
Charlottesville and Lynchburg, with each other,
and with the seat of the General Government.
There is another stage route running between
this and the principal mail routeto the Southern
cities. But it has no connexion with this route,
that commencing at Fredericksburg and terml-
mating at Milton North Carolina and this COM
mencing at Washington, and terminating al
Lynchburg. There are other routes extending
from the southern termination Of these, which
continue till they terminate in one point at Sa-
lem, North Carolina, and the principal mail
route between Washington and Fredericksburg,
connects the northern points; but they COM
mence fifty-seven miles distantfrom each other,
and their terminating points. Milton and Lynch
burg, are still more distant. We are OF opinion,
therefore, that there is nothing obviously mex
pedient in the improvements which have been
made in this route and from the uncommon So
icitude Of the citizens and their representatives,
upon the subject it would seem that they were
an object of more than ordinary desire. The
Postmaster General who had the best means of
determining the question, decided in favor of
its eXpediency; and we find no evidence which
would justify us in taking exception to his deci-
sion. There has been a reduction made in the
line, from Washington to LynChburg; the mail
is now only transported six times d week to
Warrenton, and three times a week to Lynch
burg; and a corresponding reduction Of COM
pensation has also been made this dminution
of service and compensation, has been prOduc-
ed by the want of means in the department, and
we are now prepared to say, that the former
service and compensation should be restor-
ed, whenever the finances Of the department
will warrant it. 1t should be remarked in this
case that no imputation of partially towards
the contractors should be INDUCED in, because,
the compensation Of the extra services falls short
of the legal standard, or what might have been
allowed by law, and the reduction of service, to
so great an amount was made at such season
of the year as greatly to sacrifice the value OF
much of the stock thrown out of employment by
the reduction.
The mail routes between Staunton, Virginia,
and Catlettsburgh, Kentucky, 252 miles, were
advertised to run three times week in four
horse post coaches. Porter, Belden, & Co.,
proposed to perform that service from January
LIST, 1881, to December 31st 1884, three times
week for 1865 dollars year, or six times
week for ii, 100 dollars year, or daily for l5,
500 dollars year. The contract was made for
three times week, at 1865 dollars year, and
signed by Edwin Porter, G. Co., and Jourdon
Voolfolk, dated October 20, 1880, commence
January ], 1881, and to continue four years.
About year after this contract commenced
they were allowed the additional sum of 156
dollars a year for sending a mail on horseback
three time week to the post office at leases
valley. From LIST April 1881, three months af-
ter this contract commenced, it was improved
to six times week. Their proposals would
have entitled them to Is, 100 dollars for the
whole service six times week which would have
been an additional allowance to the original
contract Of 1854 dollars year; but the Post
master General refused them this amount, and
allowed them only 5000 dollars year. which
was 1854 dollars less than their proposals. In
August, 1882, that part of this route which lies
between Guyandotte and Catlettsburgh, r.
miles, was discontinued, and reduction Of 346
dollars year made from the contract, From
the 1st of November last, the whole line was
reduced to tri-weekly route; and the allow
ance of 5000 dollars year withdrawn which
had been made for its Improvement; also the
allowance OF 156 dollars year for sending
mail to leases valley, was at the same time
withdrawn which reduced the annual compen-
sation for the stage line to 1920 dollars year,
being 346 dollars less than the original contract
In this, we discover nothing incompatible with
law and equity.
The law Of March I'd, 1882, (Sec 81 which
establishes as post roads all waters on which
steamboats, regularly pass, from port to port,
makes the Ohio river post road; and the 18th
and 9Th sections of the law, of March 3, 1925,
has been construed by the Postmaster General,
as authorizing him to make contracts for the
conveyance Of mails on extended routes and
on steamboat routs, without advertising, as is re-
CURED in ordinary cases. Instead of being 60
verned by advertisement, as in cases where
there is other restriction, he is restricted in
contracts, under the 4th section, by the pro-
ceeds Of the post office, on the extended part
of the route-in contracts under the 5th section,
he is restricted by the number Of letters and
papers conveyed. Under the section which |
authorizes him to make contracts for carry
ing the mail by steam boats, it is the practice, |
when the number Of letters and papers con-
veyed by such steam boat will not probably be
SO great as to amount to a very considerable
sum, to require to be counted at the post Office
when they are delivered, and payment made
by the Postmaster according to law; but in
cases where the mail is large, and will probably
amount to more by counting, than fair con,
tract price; and especially when it contains nu-