Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-01-09

$500 rer mile, only 10 continue The present service
running daily mail and that a. hours neS' c"h.e
n:cnt Tor their o.lcr business. pcemng II essential
TO The interest of the public That connected mai i'e
should be had THIS great ,hofough!a.e, have not
fc, myself at liberty 10 accept any service when WOOL
longer admit Of the present injurious delay at fha-
| delohia, Minor considerations il was proposed to
waive but without effect The consequence is, that
The DEPARTMENT may be deprived CT the use OF that
| road for the next contractterm
| Railroads cheaper travel and the transportation OF
produce and merchandise, and reason IS perceived
WIN they should not also cheaper the transportation OF
the mails under the same circumstances. When the
mails are carried in stages on horseback The Depart-
ment exercises absolute control over the hours.
But he proposition Of the company IN question more
than doubles the ordinary of such service and de-
MES to the Department the control OF The hours II
even the sum demanded not the highest me De-
partner. can lawfully pay for any railroad service II
would for these reasons be deemed much too nigh Tor
the service proposed ,
Nor is the sum of $500 per mile deemed too small
compensation for the service required The travel
would still no with the mails It does now, and many
passengers who do travel at all or take the Penn
svIvania lines 10 the West would leave New York IN
the evening, If this company would convey them to
Ra;more hv the next morning, there to take the csta
hIsbcd lines TO the South and West The Department,
therefore asks them do only what is believed to be
their interest 10 90
,or;c, N The reduction of its cost. This has been
Illustrated an steam boat routes. But railroads have
an advantage over steamboats,, because they can re-
Once the cost Of travel without reducing their own
choroes Bv running IN connection with each other
and enabling travellers to proceed on their way by
npht ms well rs BY day. they tavern bills to the
traveller. and greatly reduce his expenses. great
increase of travel is the certain consequence In TINS
close connection therefore, consists their highest nte.
rest All railroads in connection with each other,
will ultimately find their profit IN considering tnem-
selves parts Of one SYSTEM, in submitting to the ncon-
venienccs Of their respective positions, and IN SO ar.
ranging their hours OF running as TO make connected
rareng lines and not impose on travellers Tue ne
cessty of stopping al intermediate points IN ther jour
nov And it is thus close connection, most favorable TO
rail roads in reference 10 travel which the Department
REQUIRES for the ansissicn Of the mails Ought the
companies to ask the Department TO pay, cxoroant
sums for thai which il is their own interest to render
Certain il is that if the demands of railroad compa-
MES are 10 be satisfied most of whom not willing TO
serve the public they individuals, and seem TO
think that the Government is bound 10 make their IN
vestments profitable there will be little left OF the means
of this Department pay for the conveyance OF the
mails other lines much of the interior OF the coun-
try must be deprived Of them altogether, and the rates
of postage instead of being reduced must be increased
Hopes are entertained however, that the company
in question will yet accept the provision which Con-
gress has made It appears 70 De obviously their m
terest 10 all themselves Of the additional travel which
well connected line would bring them, and prevent
the withdrawal OF large portion OF the Western ira
vel which would inevitably follow the organization of
line for the conveyance OF the great Western mail up
on the Pennsylvania roads, that perseverance IN their
refusal cannot reasonably be expected In the mean
time the Department, IS proceeding to make the best
cam for the mail service, without refer
ence 10 the Of that road and with the determination
in no event TO make any contract with the company
which shall not close connection with the mai!
from New York. II circumstances should hereafter re.
oure it. this matter will be made the subject OF spe.
cial report
A difficulty somewhat similar has arisen upon the
steamboat route between New York and New Haven.
Formerly, the mail carried six times week on
that route, for $4,000 per annum Vt the last regular
letting in that section it let FOR daily service at
SO go with pros that IL the company should be
dissolved, the contrac, should be end Last
spring they gave notice Of dissolution 10 the Depart
inent Their successors refused 10 continue the SER
vice for less than $4,000 per annum. The Depart
ment offered 5000 for six times week service, and
SS 600 for dsily but the company would only re-
duce their exorbtant demand to l50U0, with tile PrIvi.
lcgc of selecting their hours for the service The
Department then withdrew lis propositions, and made
an arrangement Tor the transportation OF It's mails by
land.
Subsequently, temporary arrangement was made
with gentleman OF great energy, 70 charter boats ana
put on another line tor the purpose oil conveying the
mails Atier making several efforts, he reported 10
the Department that although boats could be procured
FOR any other service great the fear OF the pr!n-
cpa! owner upon the New Haven Inc, or 50 extensive
a combination existed, that no suitable boat could
be chartered on Oh idt oPPo'
sition.
The Department is consequently powerless, under
existing laws give the country the best practcaDe
mail service in that direction without submitting to
palpable extoron. Rather than submit to the latter
alternative have deemed it my duty to continue the
mail upon the land route and refer 10 congress lot
remedy.
In these DAYS Of combination and monopoly, that
which exists one steamboat route may be expected
On others of more Importance, nniess prevented oy
ot.,ar gdv hIc
and preventive all others of similar character, may
be found in putting it within the power OF the Depart
mcnt run steamboats, temporarily IN sucn emerSen-
cies to be discontinued reasonable contracts
can be secured The question shows that the De-
partment cannot rely upon chartcrlng suitable boats
The only effective appears TO be, authorize inc
Postmaster General TO purchase, or build two or three
boats suited to the SERVICE direct the ar or Navy
Department TO add few such boats 10 their present
force with view TO aid the Post Office Department
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 extortion would
undoubtedly avert the necessity of IFS exercise.
Great difficulty is found in bringing to justice mail
robbers cases, account OF the lnadequacy oil
the present laws to secure the attendance Of distant
witnesses. The compensation allowed 10 them is not
sufficient to pay their expenses, without reference to
the value Of their time. Cases OF extreme hardship
have been presented the Department, and allow
ances asked for out Of its funds but in cases where
the process of the could reach them has been
decided that the Department could not lawfully add to
the allowances provided by an act of Congress 1t
seems but Just, that who are required to devote
their time TO the public, should be paid not only their
actual expenses, but fair compensation
The radical change in the rates of postage on letters,
recently adopted in great Britain, has attracted much
attention in the United States. 10 enable to fur
nsh Congress with information on that subject, and all
others connected with the post establishments in sevc-
raj of the most considerable European countries have
despatched Of the special agents of this Depart
mcnt Europe with instructions to visit them IN per-
son. and furnish me vi minute details of their organ-
zaton and operations. Many documents, and some
interesting particulars have been received from him,
but he has yet been able TO prepare himself to
make detailed report As soon such report shall
be received il is intended TO submit TO Congress all the
information it may contain, for their consideration.
With the highest respect,
AMOS KENDALL.
To the President Of the United States.
WasHlSeToS, Dec 9Th, 1899.