Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-09-20
REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENE,
RAIL-
Posr OFFICE DspARrMENr,
Senfember 1877. -


September 4, 1887,
S.r Immediately after the suspension
of specie payments by the Banksin New
York in May last, a circular was sent ON
directing all pos.masters who had been in
srucled to deposite the proceeds Of their Of
fees in banks, 10 retain Them in specie to
meet the drafts the depar ment. !:
To those who had been instructed to pay (.
directly tc contractors, another circular was !.
sent, reminding them other duties and Ii. !,
abilities in reference to the moneys to be re.
ceived nd.paid by them under existing
laws. ,.s.IZ.. q
! Instructions have recently been prepared.
directing the manner in which returns cf%
cash or hand are hereafter to be made 10 !
;he department, and for bidding the looming
or use oflhe moneys belonging to the pub !
lie for any purpose whatsoever. Copies Of
| these papers are annexed, marked A, B, .
and c.. s Is Il & ;.
In relation 20 upwards of ten thousand of !
the post offices, these regulations make no.
change. Thc.only change effected bythem
ris, that about eleven hundred banks, weekly,
monthly, or quarterly. according to IFS
amount, now retain the money in ;heir own
hands till drawn for by the department. Ta,.
about nine tenlhs Of these, the new system !
is more corvenien: than the old, as il saves 2
them the trouble Of going or sending to the
banks and procuring certificates of depos.S
ite; it is equally safe, as their entire balar-
ces will be drawn for rs often as they are
deposited; and it is more elficein,. because
some pos3masters who might neglect TO de-
pOsite will not venture to dtshonor draft. Z; Z,
The postmasters who will not close theirs
accounts quarterly, will not, probabiy,ex- I.
ceed one hundred; and the balances IN their
hands, from quarter to quarter, are not like :
", under proper administration of tie de- :
minisration Of the deparlsnens 10 exceed.
! in ordinary times, one or two handred t'toa-s
sand dollars. AS they are required 70 haze
their balances always ready IN gold and sil. !.
yer, the department. will always have the
means Of meeting its engagements; and fa
default in an individual case should occa-s
sionaly happen, nothing ike general re.
fusalto pay, as in the case Of The late depos-
ite banks, is ever TO be apprehended.
! 1t will ever be the true policy of the de.
| pariment not to have large surplus, and.s
consequently, there vii. oeli't!e TO entrust 10
| the custody of possmastcrs or olhers.-.
| Moreover. the number of post Offices now 1
instructed to retain their funds, will beiltge-s
rIy reduced upon an adjustment ofthe col.'
lection system to the mail service, as arr
ranged within the last twelve months. :.
Thoughin some places convenient, banks
are not necessary to the collection and DIS
bursemcnt ofthe funds of ;his department.
! In reference to more than ten thousandPost
oficesthc more expeditiously & more conse.
nientIy collections disbursements are elfec'E
| ed without the interposition OF banks. than
they could be with it. The contractors who's
are creditors ofthe department., are its col.
/ lectors from postmasters, and the collection
! and disbursements are but one operation;
! It is generally effected in few days after
the close of each quarter. The operation
is the same where the postnasters pay to
! contractors upon the drafts Of the d part
men, though / is more ta.dy. The few
officcs,in reerenceto to which banks ire con.
vcnience, arc those whose rcceipts are 'arge,
and are not likely TO be absorbed from
quarter to quarter by the drafts ofth' de-
partment. They have genera ly iron h:sts
or safes where the specie is KEEP; an |, with
strict supervision and careful altel. on to
their bonds they will seldom, if e.er be
found in default. -
The necessary transfers Of funds are ef-
fected by the department without inconven-
ience or loss. On thssnterior mai! route
The eypeuditure -n<yeneraIly grea.-s '''ii