The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-12-23


nual mail transportation on these routes is
about thirty six millions two hundred and
twenty eight thousand nine hundred and
sixty two miles, having been increased a.
bout ten millions three hundred and fifty
nine thousand fourhundred and seventy six
miles within the same period. The num-
Der of post offices has also been Increased
from ten thousand seven hundred and sew
enty to twelve thousand and ninety nine,
very few of which receive the mails less
than once a week, and large portion of
them daily. Contractors and post masters
In general are represented as attending to
their duties with most commenda5le zeal
and fidelity.
The revenue of the Department, within
the year ending on the thirteth June last,
was four millions one hundred and thirty
seven thousand and ffty-six dollars and
hlty-nine cents; and its liabilities accruing
within the same time were three millions
three hundred and eighty thousand eight
hundred and fortyseven dollars and seventy
five cents. The increase Of revenue over
that of the preceding year was seven hun
dred and eight thousand one hundred and
sixty-six dollars and forty-one cents.
For many interesting details l refer you
to the report of the Postmaster General,
with the accompanying paper. Your par
ticular attention is invited TO the necessity
of providing more safe and convenient
building for the accommodation of that De-
partment
lay before Congress copies of reports
submitted in pursuance of call made by
me upon the heads Of Departments, for
such suggestions as their experience might
enable them to make as to what further le
gislative provisions may be advantageously
adopted to secure the faithful application of
public moneys to the objects for Which they
are appropriated; to prevent their misappli-
cation or embezzlement by those entrusted
with the expenditure of them; and general
ly to increase the security of the Govern
ment against losses in their disbursement.
1t is needless to dilate on the importance of
providing such new safeguards as are within
the power of legislation to promote these
ends: and j have little to add to the recon.
mendations submitted in the accompanying
papers.
BY law, the terms of service Of our most
important collecting and disbursing officers
in the civil departments are limited to four
years, and when reappointed, their bonds
are required TO be renewed.
The safety of the public is much ncrea-
sed by this feature of the law, and there can
be no doubt that its application to all Off
GERS entrusted with the collection or dis
bursment of the public money, whatever
may be the tenure of their offices, would
be equally beneficial. l therefore recon-
mend, in addition to such of the suggestions
presented by the heads of Departments as
you may think useful, general provision,
that all officers of the Army or Navy, or in
the Civil Debartment, entrusted with the
receipt or payment of public money, and
whose term of service is either unlimited
or for longer time than four years, be re-
quired TO give bonds, with good and sufi-
cient suretes, at the expiration of every
such period.
A change in the period Of terminating the
fiscal year, from the first of October to the
first of April, has been frequently recon-
inended, and appears to be desirable.
The distressing casualties in steamboats,
which have as frequently happened during
| lllB year, Stcll W GFllCC lllC HCCSSSlly vi at
tempting to prevent them, by means of Sc
we're provisions connected with their custom
house papers. This object was submitted
to the attention of Congress by the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury in his last anual report,
and will be again at the present session,
with additional details. 1t will doubtless
receive that early and careful consideration
which its pressing importance appears to
require.
Your attention has heretofore been frequent
ly called to the affairs of the District of Co
lumba, and | should not again ask it, die
not their entire dependence on Congress
give them a constant claim upon its notice
Separated by the Constitution from the res
of the Union, limited in extent, and aideC
by no Legislature of its own, it woulC
seem to be a spot where wise and uniform
system of local government might have
heen easily adopted. This district, how
ever, unfortunately, has been left to linge
behind the rest of the Union; its codes
civil and criminal, are not only very deiec
tive, but full of obsolete or inconveuien
provisions; being formed of portions of tw,
3 States, discrepancies in the laws prevail il
: different parts of the territory, small as
r.