Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-07-06

Messrs. Stockton and Stokes, although
their accepted offer was 10 run express
mails on this and other routes, whenever
required, without additional compensa-
tion.
Upon the opening of navigation in
1889, their daily line was cut down 10
thrfe times sueek from Baltimore TO
Eikton. running daily from Elkton to
( Philadelphia the Department having
contracted with the steamboat company
TO carry the mails twice day between
Baltimore ard Philadelphia, al an annual
charge of $1,000. This service, or a
a swift daily line by land, was stipulated
for in the contract with Messrs. Stock
ton and Stokes, but they never performs
ed it.
Upon the closing Of navigation in the
winter of 1889 3, the contractors ran one
daily line only, and large portion of the
mail was sent by way of York and Lam
caster, at heavy expense, as in the pre-
ceding winter.
In the spring Of 1888, an inquiry was
set on foot 10 ascertain whether the mail
could not be expedited along the Atlantic
line, and connection effected which
should be more satisfactory TO the puplic.
A plan was digested and the contractors
between Washington, Baltimore and Phil
adelphia undertook 10 run through IN 90
hours. Accordingly, ON the 9th day of
November. 1888, the Department fur
nished them schedule for their fast line,
allowing 20 hours to run through, having
on the 4th day of that month furnished
them with schedule for their slow line,
allowing 81 hours. The books of the
Department show, that it was not until
after the 3lst December that either oc
these lines commenced running, The nav
igation beng still open. Thus, after
having performed the service in the sum-
mer oil 1888 in the same manner as in
that Of 1882, they commenced running
two lines, for the first time, as provided in
their contract, on the suspension of steam
boat navigation in January, 1884. The
only thing done by them which they had
not contracted 10 perform, was running
through in tsveaty hours, instead Of twen-
ty-three, thus furnishing an increase Of
speed equal to three hours between WASH
ington and Philadelphia.
These two lines had ceased 10 run, as
the books show, priorto the 10th March,
1884, having run but about 60 days.
Steamboat navigation having commenced,
the contractors fell back 10 their tIi-week-
ly service between Baltimore and Elk
ton, and daily between EIliou and Phil
adelphia.
In the winter of 1875 the swift line
commenced running between the 1Hh
and 25th December, and could moi have
run more than 60 days. Upon the re.
commencement, Of steamboat navigation,
contractors fell tack 10 the service of the
preceding summer.
OF the fve daily mails they were paid
for running between Washington aud Bal>
iimore, they never ran more than three,
and generally but fSuo.
This was the condition of these con-
tracts and the service OF contractors, when
Congress investigated the affairs of the
Department in 1884 and 1885. NOT one
Of The claims for extra serviccs, &c. ems
6rdced in the Solicitors award, and
amounting 10 $16l,57s SO s0as diseous
cred by any Of the committees, or made
kno7un 10 Congress. although their inves"
legations covered, for the most part, the
same contracts the same time and the same
services. Their action was based, and
their opinions expressed, upon the allow.
aEcos herein before set forth, and their
actions and opnious are pertinent to show
what was, or was not, the intention of
Congress in vestiDg the Solicitor with
power to adjust the claims now in ques-
ton.
The investigations by committees Of
both Houses of Congress into the man.
agement of the Post Office Department,
are known to have been protracted and
searching. The committee Of the Senate
after making one report, continued exam
nations during the recess Of 1884, and
made second report on the 9th Janua-
ry, 1885. In speaking of these and other
similar allowances, made by contracts ex-
ecuted upon improved bids, the commit
tee,page II oftheir report, hold the follow
ing language, viz:
"Indeed, no one could but feel, that
they were wholly without legal warrant,
and that they could, therefore fall under
no known legal head. Nevertheless, in-
mense sums Of money have, through their
means, been transferred from the Depart
ment to the pockets of individuals; and
the American Congress and the Ameri-
can people, have, until this investigation