Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-22
which eaonot y t.e.een provided fo By oanract

which cannot BE- foseseen provided Cor by contract
regulation
IN portions the law regulating the details of duty
assigned 10 tie Postmaster General particularly TO
the making of contracts Additional precautions
cessary against irresponsible bidding, and prevent
combinations injurious TO the Department. If bidders
required in all cases, to furnish the of
sponsbr securities with their bids who should be boend
from the date OF acceptance, il would prevent the bids
Of worthless and spectators, which pre-
duce great 10 The Department and some
times serious loss. And it, ON the other hand, conbina
tons TO prevent competition punishable by peri
tual exclusion from the service Of the Department. il
would, il is believed, have excellent effect its in
terests well the character Of its contractors
IL is worthy of consideration whether it would not be
eSpeden TO change the rates of letter postage making
them conform 10 the national carrcncy in eradaiions OF
s. TO- To- 20, %, and 30 cents Such provision would
almost half the labor required in the examina-
ton of accounts in the Department and prevent number
less Ii would also much simplify the sys,cm ii
the number of miles 10 which these rates should apply,
doubled at each increase of rate from the lowest
the highest
There been many changes in mail routt since
their original establishment that it is difficult, if
not impractcabc, to trace them from their origin in The
law, through all mutations down TO their present
don. 1t would contribute greatly TO tho convenience
of the Department if they all eestablished in
with such alterations and additions, the accom-
mediation of the public may require, and the interest of
the Department admit. portion of the surplus reve-
will be required to make improvements existing
routes; but is believed, the Department can, without
inconvenience put into operation new routes, not
ceeding in cost 500 600 year, they be
established, and the necessary arrangements made.
The aid of1egisation is required to close equitably
Of the old claims against the Department vafi-
demands exist for services rendered By authority Of
the Department, in a measure sanctioned by usage,
which, though extent inst cannot, the opinion
of the undersigned, be adjusted and paid without the
sanction OF Congress. 1t hoped that power may be
vested in the AUDITOR if one be created with the
ton of the Comptroller TO settle these claims upon prin-
cp,es OF jnstsce and equity; or, II this DC
deemed cxpcdent that Congress will provide
means for their speedy adjustment
The undersigned cannot close this communication,
without paying humble tribute to the worth Of pat
riot and ifcnd-the late Postmaster General. Imay be
said of him. the Head Of this Department that the
he had better fortune was that he was too
good In other Positions and under other cir
cumstances, he would have been OF the greatest
and most useful, he of the best and
most highly endowed. of public men. Having for
than twenty years been acquainted with Mr.. Bar
ry, and been honurcd with his friendship; knowing his
private WORTH his love ofcountry, and his dsinterescd-
ness and having always had an abiding confidence in
his integrity and honor IT would be TO the undersigned
Of lasting respect, if any thing said done by
him, in the administration of this Department should be
understood intended calculated to deprccae his
virtues, cast stain upon his memory.
/ have the honor 10 be,
Your obedient servant,