The Madisonian., 1840-01-14
"a, ,496. .s7S .2s5 622

Total, 34,496875 81, ,2s5, ,622
This is exclusive of transportation BY steamboats,
and other vessels, under the fifth and sixth sections
of the act of 1926 which costs about SIG, 300 more
The lettings OF the year have generally been al
lower prices than for some preceding years, but not
so low as the same routes we're lei four,years ago.
Most of the service which was last year suspend
ed has been restored and the routes established
by the act of 7th July, 1888, with few exceptions
have been put in operation.
The speed OF the ordinary mail having been so
increased to reduce the time OF transit between
New York and New Orleans to nine days the ex-
press mail, which in seven has been discontinu.
ed and the southwestern branch, which yielded but
small portion OF its cost, fell with the main trunk.
II is possible that the recent suspension Of specie
payments by the banks in large portion of the
Union may again check the increasing revenue Of
the Department so as TO make retrenchments neces.
sary but, in any event, they will be nconsidcra-
bic.
On the 30th June last, the number of post offices
was II, $50, showing an increase of 26l during the
preceding year. The number established was COL
and the number discontinued was $40. The number
Of postmasers appointed including new Offices, was
2SSS
The number Of post Offices this day is l3,O2s
The number OF IN ii contractors in service during
the last year, was about 1893. OF this number 4S9
have been fined, or had deductions made from their
pay for snndry denquencics The aggregate Of
fines is S57,73S 6i, and of deductions 80 066 Oh,
excluding remissions, the whole amounting TO S79,-
S0i 6S.
A great majority OF the contractors have per
formed the service with the most exemplary pune
tuaity
The revenue of the Department for the year ending
the 30;h June, 1888, was, $4235,O77 "
The expenditures were, 4,62l ,S37 l6
Excess of expenditures. 1886, ,759 10
The excess was made up by surplus funds of pre-
ceding years.
The revenue of the year ending the 30,h of June
last was $i476,6 63S Sc
The engagements and liabilities of the
Department for the same year, were AGA. III SO
Excess Of engagements and liabilities, Sl47479 30
This surplus still on hand has prevented embar.
raSsmen
The cash on hand. according to the lates, reports of
postmasers, is S206, ,70l 95 There is also remaining
in banks Ss33453 To- Of which only So 907 03 is avail
able More than half the available funds hand will
be required TO pay balances due for the services OF the
last quarter. .-=
Compared with the preceding year, the revenue has
increased about l2 per cent and the aggregate
crease was gal 500 SO
From a comparative statement embracing the returns
Of post Offices yielding 90 per quarter il appears
that the OF the quarter ending the Both Sepiem
ber last exceeded that OF the corresponding quarter OF
last year abou, IA per cent II is feared, however,
that consequence Of the arrangement produced by
the suspension of payment by many banks this rate
of advance will not be maintained through the year
The accounts oil postmas,crs are rendered with
promptl,ude which scarcely find parallel in the
business of mankind In list Of so many thousand
post Offices, there necessarily many Incidents such
sickness, deaths, resignations absences, removals
changes in mail routes &c &c. which prevent the re-
gular rendition OF accounts the appointments alone
averaging last year 722 per quarter Most Of the &C
counts forwarded to the Department by the first
mail after the termination Of the quarter. and Of
list Of 27s0 pos, Offices, for tho quarter ending 30,h
June last, theo were bu 2l7, the accounts Of which
not received before tho termination Of the next
quarter; aud OF this number about 40 had been very
recently established, had not been supplied with
mails
The moneys received by the posmsstcrs are, IN GO.
neral. paid with equal promptitnde u - believed
that about | 900 Of the whole number paid over the
proceeds Of each qosrer' TO contractors within two
weeks after lis close OF that class Of posmaster the
proportion Of delinquenis - remarkably small The
draft Offices n general paw, when drawn upon, with
equal punctusry. Two cases have occurred, within
the year. indicating the necessity Of further legal re-
strants upon postmasters ntrused with large OF
money.
When it is extensively nculcs,cd principle, ,hs,