Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-09-21
RePOrt Of the PostinnSter-Gc-
neral.
Posr oTFIcE DEPARTMENT. }
September (, lS;}7.

in New York, IN May last. Circular
was sent out. directing all Postrnasters
who had been instructed TO deposi,e
the proceeds of their offices in banks.
to retain them in specie, to meet the
drafts OF the department.
To those who had been instructed 10
pay directly 20 contractors. another cir
cuiar was sent, reminding them OF their
duties and liabilities in reference to the
moneys 10 be received and paid by
them under existing laws.
! Instructions have recently been pre-.
pared, directing the manner in which
returns Of cash on hand are hereafter
10 be made 10 the department. and for
bidding the loan or use Of the moneys
belonging to the public for any purpose
whatever. Copies Of these papers are
annexed, marked A. b. and G.
IN relation TO upwards OF ten thou
sand Of the post Offices. these regula-
tons make no change. The only change
effected by them is, that about eleven
hundred postmasters who formerly de-
posted their income in banks, weekly,
monthly or quarterly, according to It's
amount, now Ietaih the money in their
own hands TIL drawn for by the depart
ment. To about nine-tenths Of these the
new system is more convenient than
the old, as 1t saves them the trouble of
going or sending TO the banks and pro.
curing certificates Of deposite; il is
iequaily safe, as their entire balances
viii be drawn Tor as often as they are
/ deposited aud il is more efficient, be-
cause some postmasters who might ne
slect to deposiie viii not venture 10
/ dIshonor a draft.
/ The postmaSters who will no, close
their accounts quarterly, will not, pro-
badly, exceed one bundled and the
balances in their hands, from quarter 10
lquarter, are not likely, under a proper
administration of the department, 10
exceed in ordinary times, one or two
hundred thousand dollars. As they
are required 10 have their balances al.
ways ready in gold aud silver. the de-
lpartment will always have the means
OF meeting It's engage and If a
default IN an individual case should oc-
caSionaily happen, nothing like a gene
raj refusal 10 pay, as in The case of the
late deposite banks, Is ever 20 be ap-
pretended.
II will ever be the true policy of the
department 10 have large surplus, and
consequently, there will be little TO en-.
trust TO the custody Of posimasters or
Others Moreover the number Of post
Offices now instructed TO retain their
funds, will be largely reduced upon an
adjustment Of the collection system 10
The mail service, as was arranged with.
ia the last twelve months.
Though IN some places convenient,
banks are not necessary to the oollec.
hon and disbursement Of the funds of
this department. ln reference TO more
than ten thousand post Offices. the col.
lect,ons and disbursements are effected
more cXPedIiiously and more convent.
emily without The iLteTposilion OF banks
than they could with II. The contract.
ors who are creditors Of the department.
are Is collectors from postuasiers. bnd
the objection and disbursements are
but one operation. II is generally e.
! iecied in few days after the close OF
I The quarter. The operation ~ the same
where the postmasicrs pay 10 contract.
ors upon The irans Of the department
though II Is more tardy The few Of
ices, Ia reference TO which banks are
convenience arc those whose receipt,
are large. and are not likely TO be al.
sorhed from quarter 20 quarter by the
drafts 0i the department They have
generally iron chests OF safes where The
specie Is kept and with sinct su-
peTyision and careful attention 20 then
bonds, they will seldom, IT ever. b,
found "a default
The necessary transfers Of funds are
effected by the department without
inconvenience o. loss. On toe interior
mail routes. the expcnJiiurr - gen
orally greater than The income ,ntLl'
after the Contractor have RECEIVED The
entire revenue OF The Offices supplied
by them balances are It'll due. Ihesc
balances are az readily paid 90 by
drafts on The posimssters N the citrs
where The surplus arises. ~ they could
be by checks on banks "a TIE safne
places. The process Is rendered o.,
more easy from the fact. that The hes.
west surplus accrues al those poihis
v here funds are The most valusblc. par
licularly al New Yosk o. that drafts o.
The Department 90 PAS distances in lhe
most distant parts II The Cnion sie es.
morally better than cash. beiny asalIs.
bic ~ mercantile femiiiances. Thus
the neeesssfy transfers Of the Depart.
men, are readily effected and a. ,bn
state u things IS nof likely 10 change
q Woeld seldom u ever. become ne
ce~ary fot The Department 70 transport
speeie from one point % smother. u
ihsfe Wss not . bsnk N eaisieEet.
Upon The suspension u TIE hsaks.
efni1 ere wntE - sf.n a fees "a