Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-12-12

of the smaller vessels, and to other sur-l
gestions contained in that document. The
rapid increase and wide expansion oil our
commerce, which is every day seeking
new avenues of profitable adventure; the /
absolute necessity of raval force for its !
protection prccis, ly in the degree of It's
extension; due regard 10 the national
rights and honor: the recollection of its
former exploits, AMI The anticipation Of its |
future triumphs whenever opportunity
presents itself, which We may rightiully
indulge from the experience of the past;
all seem 10 point 10 the navy as most
efficient arm of our national defence, and
proper object Of legislative encourage
ment
The progress and condition of the Post
Office Department will be seen By refer
ence 10 The report of the Postmaster Gen
eraI. The extent of post roads, covered
by mail contracts, is stated 10 be l34,SlS
miles, and the annual transportation upon
them 1880, 202 miles. The number of
post Offices in the United States Is 1858,
and rapidly increasing. The gross rev.
enue for the year ending on the 30th day
of June last was S4,262, lao 90. The
accruing expenditures, S4680,066 90;
excess of expenditures, S4l7.923 90. This
has been made up out of the surplus pre-
viousy on hand. The cash on hand on
the first instant, was S314,U68 90. The
revenue for the year ending June so,
1888, was SI6l, $40 more than that for
the year ending June so, 1887. The
expenditures of the department had been
graduated upon the anticipation Of large
! " increased revenue. A moderate cur
tailment of mail service consequently
became necessary, and has been effected,
TO shield the department against the dam
ger of embarrassment Its revenue is
now improving, and it will soon resume
its onward course 10 the march of i'm
provemenl.
Your particular attention is requested
to so much of the Post Master Generals
report as relates to the transportation oil
the mails upon railroads. The laws on
that subject do not seem adequate TO Sc
cure that service, now become almost es-
sential to the public interests, and at the
. same time protect the department from
com binations and unreasonable demands
Nor can | too earnestly request your
attention to the necessity of providing 9
f more secure building for this department
The danger Of destruction 10 which II:
important books and papers are continu
p jally exposed, as well from the highly
, combustible character Of the building oc
, cupied, as from TINT of others in the vicin
: ity, calls loudly for prompt action.
y Your attention is again earnestly invit
! ed TO the suggestions and recommends
) tions submitted at last session in respec
9 to the District Of Columbia
!. | feel it my duty, also, to bring TO you
!. notice certain proceedings a: law whicl
Y nave recently been prosecuted in this Dis
trict, in the name of the United States, Oh
d the relation of Messrs. Stockton s. Stokes
IS OF the State of Maryland, against he Pos
!. master General, and which have resulte
II in the payment Of money out of the ma
n tional Treasury, for the first time sine
. the establishment of the Government, b
If judicial compulsion, exercised by the com
" mon law writ of mandamus, issued by tn
\. circuit court of this District
" The facts of the case and the ground
IF of the proceedings, will be found full
s stated in the report of The decision; an
ar anv additional information which 20
IL may desire will be supplied by the pro-
r. er department No interference in ii
So particular case is contemplated The m,
ncy has been paid the claims of Il
is prosecutors have been satisfied and Il
10 whole subject, so far as they are concer
ale ed, is finally disposed of; but It is on {
nm supposiiion thai the case may be regaI
be ed as an authoritive exposition of the ia
I as it now stands, that have thought it I
on cessary TO present it to your considerable
,ar The object of the application to the c
err cult court was to compel the Postmas
the General to carry into effect an ava
the made by the Solicitor of the treasury,
OF der special act of Congress for the S
Element of certain claims OF the REALTORS
the the Post Office Department, which aw;
ap- the Postmaster General declined to e
ihle cute in full, until he should receive
or Their legislative direction on the subj
,ses Ii the duty imposed on the Postma'
pro- General, by that law, was TO be regar
tuai as one of an official nature belonging
the his office as branch of the EXe-Gt
not then it is obvious that the cons i'n..l
on a competency of the Judiciary to direct
lited control him in its discharge, WIS ne, {
any rily drawn in question. And If "a
so imposed on the Postmaster Cen
from was to be considered as merely minis
and al, and not executive, it yet rem4ln'
safe be shown that the circuit court d his
The trict had authority to interfere b ma
.ews, mus-such a power having never b.
pate, been asserted or claimed BY that con
COM With view 10 the settlem, nj Vi !
imnnrtant nnestinns. the iudTmcnt O