The Madisonian., 1840-01-14

Notwithstanding the utmost efforts oil the Depsftment
prevent IT, SHOULD practice upon the Preeep, Nothing
is likely to make diem ali dolly sensible Of the hsdous-
ne.s Of the offence but act Of Congress- declaring
70 De crime punishable according to the msgn'ude o'
the SUM thus applied
Congress have heretofore fixed the maximum Of CON-
Pensauon to be paid for the transportation oi ihe ms
upon railroads $500 per mile Il obviously their
intention, that, where the maximum oi compensation
gwen .he railroad companies shall siord lhe puoo, :"
return me best practicable mail accommodation
ohuef existing arrangements the great msa 10, she
south and West Is detained eight hours in Phi's-
oeiPhA Desrous, IN the renewal of the conuacs' 70
take eneet ~ January next, TO put an end 70 his os
teniion the Department offered the Philadelphia, VIII
mngton, and Baltimore Railroad Company, the maxi
mum compensation allowed by lawon condition that they
would carry two mails day, connecting with the
night line from New York and the other with the morn
ing line !, is the nigh, line which brings on the great
mall and TO carry il forward without interruption,
would be for this company TO leave Phsdel
phia not later than o'clock, a. m. This the com.
pany declined doing for the compensation offered and
were willing for the $500 per mile, only TO continue
the present service running one daily mall and tha
hours most convenient for their other business Deem
ing essential to the interest OF the public that con-
nected mail line should be had this great thorough
fare, have no, fell myself liberty to accept any ser
wee which would longer admit Of the present injurious
delay al Philadelphia Minor considerations was pro-
posed 10 waive but without effect The consequence
is that the Department may he deprived Of the use Of
that road for the next contract term.
Railroads cheaper travel and the transportation Of
produce and merchandise. and lis perceived
why they should also cheaper the ransporaons Of
the mails under the circumstances When the
mails carried in stages horseback the Depart
ment exercises absolute control the hours. But
the proposition Of the company in question more than
double. the ordinary Of such services and denies
TO the Department tho control of the hours. II even
the SUN demanded not the highest the Depart
ment can lawfully pay for any Railroad service, would
Tor these reasons be deemed much too high for the ser
vice proposed
Nor is the sum Of $500 per mile deemed too small
compensation for the service required. The travel
would still 60 with the mails does now, and many
passengers who do not travel all, take the Penn
sylvania lines to the West, would leave New York in
the evening, II this company would convey them to
Baltimore by tho next morning, there to take the esa
blished lines to the South and West, The Department,
therefore, asks them TO do only what is believed to be
their interest to do.
Experience has proved that travel is increased in pro.
portion TO the reduction Of its cost This has been il
lustrated steamboat routes. But railroads have
advantage steamboats, because they reduce the
cost oil travel without reducing their charges BY
running in connection with ench other, and enabling
travellers to proceed their way by night well
by day they bills the traveller and great
y reduce his expenses. great increase OF travel
the certain consequence In this close con1exion,
therefore, consists their highest interest. All railroads
IN connection with each other will ultimately find their
profit IN considering themselves parts Of system,
submitting to the Inconvenience Of their respective
positions. and arranging their hours Of running
to make connected travelling lines, and not impose
travellers the necessity Of stopping, at intermediate
points IN their journey And is this close connection,
most favorable to railroads in reference travel which
the Department requires for the transmission Of the
mails. Ought the companies to ask, the Department
to pay eIhorbant sums for that which it is their
interest to renderl
Certain it is, that if the demands OF railroad compa-
MES are to be satisfied, most Of whom not willing
serve the public as they individuals and seem to
think that the government is bound to make their in
vcsments profitable, there will be little le, of the
OF this Department TO pay for the conveyance OF the
mails on other lines much Of the interior Of the country
be deprived Of them altogether, and the of
postage instead Of being reduced, must be increased.
Hopes are entertained, however, that the company in
question will yet accept the provision which Congress
has made Ii appears be obviously their interest
to avail themselves Of the additional travel which well
connected line would bring them, and to prevent the
withdrawal oa large portion Of the western travel which
would inevitably follow the organization Of line for the
conveyance Of the great western mail upon the Penn
syvana roads the in their refusal cannot
reasonably be expected. In the meantime the Depart
ment is proceeding to mako the best arrangement il
for the mail service, without reference the OF that
road, and with the determination in event TO make
any contract with the company which shall not
close connection with the mail from New York If
circumstances should hereafter require it, this matter
will be made the subject OF special report.
difficulty somewhat similar has arisen upon the
steamboat route between New Y ok and New Haven.
Formerly, the mail was carried times week that
route for $4 900 per At the last regular let
ting in that section, it was let for daily service &c.,
900, with provso that if the company should be dis
solved, the contract should be at end Last spring.
they gave notice Of dissolution the Department.
Their refused continue the for less
than sS3U, 900 per annum. The Department offered
S6, 900 for six times week service u-$9 900 for
daily but the new company would only reduce their
exorbi,an, demand to $l5O00 with the privilege Of Sc
trrttnn thetr hour f,rfh he
ment then withdrew its propositions, and made arrange
ment for the transportation OF It's mails by land.
Subsequently, temporary arrangement was made
with gentleman OF great energy, to charter boats aud
put another line for the purpose OF conveying the
mails After making several efforts he reported d'the
Department. that although boats could be procured for
any other SERVICE so great was the fear OF the principal
upon the New Haven line, or extensive
combination existed, that suitable boat could be
chartered any terms TO on that ne IN opposition
The Department Is consequently powerless, under
existing laws, TO give the country the best practicable
mail service in that direction, without submitting to pal
pabe exor,ion Rather than submit to the latter alter
native, have deemed 1t my duty continue the mail
upon the land route and refer Congress for remedy
In these days Of combination and monopoly, that
which exists steamboat ronte my be expected on
others of importance, unless prevented by timely
precautions. An effective remedy in this case, and
preventive 10 all others Of similar character, may be
found IN putting within the power Of the Department
TO steamboats, temporarily such emergencies, to
be discontinued soon reasonable contracts bc
secured The case in question shows that the De-
partment cannot rely upon charterDg suitable boats-
The only effective appears to be, to authorize
the Postmaster General TO purchase. or build, two or
three boats suited the service, direct the War
Navy Department TO add few such botas their pre-
sent force with view TO aid the Post Office Depart
ment when occasion may require it, The existence Of
the power and ability Of the Department to put on
line of steamboats, in cases Of attempted eIor'lon,
would undoubtedly avert the necessity OF its exercise.