Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-02-03

part of an individual cannot be arrested by law, 1
the Government should not hesitate to adopt
means, although of an expensive character, to
place the community generally in possession OF
the same intelligence at as early period as
practicable. The Government should defeat the
efforts of individuals to exercise functions and
powers belonging exclusively to itself 1t is be-
iieved that it was proper in the Post Office De-
partment to put this express mail into operation;
and no attempt has been made since TO set up a
private express since the one made by the editor
of the Journal of Commerce. And it is hoped
that the measures adopted by the Postmaster
General in this instance, will teach all our ctl-
zens the Inutility of such attempts.
The next inquiry is, whether The Postmaster
General has acted judiciousy in effectng the
object intended He attempted 10 make a con-
tract for a specific sum, by his agent in n. DIRK.
The sum demanded was more than the agent
thought fair equivalent for the service. Mr..
Reside was then directed to perform the SER
vice, and was promised fair compensation
therefor The contractor was 10 run the distance,
ninety miles, in six hours each way. Tins &C
cording TO the testimony, would require that
no horse should be run more than I'VE niles al
one time Two horses were necessary to carry
the mail OF course it would require seventy-two
horses for each days service, exclusive OF those
which had to be kept on the line to supply the
place of those disabled by the service. Mr.. Rec
side brought forward to the Department, the
statements of three witnesses, verified by their
oaths stating that they were well acquainted with
the service and the charge made by him was fair
and reasonable. The account charges one dol
lar for each horse for every mile run which Sc
veral witnesses say is the common price for
such service. If this price be allowed, Mr..
Reside has not received more than he was en-
titled to. Mr.. Schenk, who was employed in
carrying the private express says in his testimo
ny, that sometimes the public express arrived
first at New York, and sometimes the private
express. Mr. Hale, the editor Of the Journal OF
Commerce, says that the private express gener.
ally arrived first. This was owing, no doubt to
the fact that so soon as the Governmentexpres
commenced running to Philadelphia from
which place the private express had set out be.
fore that time, Mr.. Hale tile editor, changed the
place of starting his express to Port Deposite,
and afterwards to Washington City. and by re-
ceivng his mail matter at these places, his ex
press would outrun the mail coach, and pass Phi
ladepha before the Government express could
receive the mail matter to be carried by it from
the Post Office in that city.
The deficiencies in the finances Of the De-
partment, have arisen mainly from desire in the
head of the department, to extend the benefits
of mail facilities and stage coach accommoda
tiouS to every portion OF the community; from
the extension Of the franking privilege, and
from the Legislation of Congress in extending
the transportation oil tie mail over unpfo0uC-
tive routes The public however, have been
greatly benefited and accommodated by the We.
ry measures which have produced the present
embarrassed condition Of the Department
That errorss and irregularities have occurred,
is most certain, and most of them have been
produced by the representations and pressing
solicitations of the citizens Of town and neigh
borhoods through which the increased mail ia
cities have been sustained by members of con-
gress from almost every section Of the country.
The recent measures, however, adopted by the
department, curtailing mail accommodations,
seem to promise restoration Of its admin, =
traton 10 the true principle upon which it
should be conducted, which is, that its eXpend-
lures should not exceed its own resources and
income.
If Congress should now appropriate suffi
cient sum to pay the existing debts against the
Department, and by law make the provisions
now to be mentioned, most Of which were sug
gested at the last session, no reasonable doubt,
could be entertained, but the operations Of the
Department would hereafter be safe and eco
nomca and most OF the useful facilities which
have been curtaled be restored, and the De
partment enabled from its own resources
to meet the eXendureS which will probably
be produced by the extension and increase
Of mail routes at the next session Of Congress.