Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-07-02
DELAYS OF THE MAIL,

The delay Of the mai gong North IN Baltimore Mtr
teen anil kaj aomrs from u p. NJ. to A. VI, CIV
'ng great and think, ust of dissatisfaction
This 'ay, are aware, commenced about the close
oi NJ. hcndalls administration Of the Post Office De-
parlnent, III consequence Of increased expedition be-
ing attained on the routes South OF Baltimore, but We
presume wonld have been avoided on the renewal Of
the contract between the Post Office Department anc
the Philadelphia IL Baltimore Railroad Company, by
whom the mail is conveyed between those cities. The
contract between the Department and hi. Company
expired IN April last, and was we understand, lately
renewed hy Mr. Granger without provision against
tins delay; and, from present appearances the com
munlty generally will be subjected TO whatever dsad
vanayrs may arise from II, during The good pleasure
of the Railroad Company, who having bought up the
New Castle and French;own Steamboat and Railroad
line between those cities, and now mnnopolizng both
lines Of communication, will, we fear, be disposed
presume on IL.
We are among those who recognise the benefits
which the country has derived from those assocatlons
Ia which she is indebted for her lines Of Improvement.
We are, therefore, favor OF paying literally fer what
ever service the Government may require at their
hands. But We do not think, that The great public oh
Jects which formed strong inducements for brstowing
the privileges granted them, should be rendered subor
dnate to their mere convenience. If any Railroad Com
pany on the great line Of thoronghtara between the
north and Sonth 10 be allowed 10 delay the mail, he
cause " comes to II at Involvement hour all VIII
clam The same privilege: and consequence, private
people become the victims nf spectators. We know
MOI what compensation is allowed by the Postmaster.
General Tor the transportation of the mail between Bal
tnore and Philadelphia H. is presumed, il this
point lne Oe'ei Judge Should he think It not adequate
| he would probably Obtain on application To Congress
Uf not now hnihorsed) authority to increase il. Bat
II II be, N his opnion sufficient then il seems 10
clear that he Ought To contract with no Railroad Com
pany, whiri viii moi convey the mail its road
without unnecessary delay. Even though nothing
should be gained by placing it another route such
policy would have the effect Of preventing cxacons
and ultimately correct the evil.
Such was The view taken BY Mr.. Kendall, in con-
tracing with the Railroad Companies on the grea,
na route through Virginia, two three years
since. The latter commended, aud We have doub;
sincerely, that the compensation offered them
adequate, FOR the transportation Of the mall unless al
lowed to convey it at such hours as they might seize
for their travelling lines. Nlr. Kendall deemed this
condition mad nssibr, and declined contracting ".tl
them At all, unless they would carry forward the mai
as delivered over Them ~ the Department, 10 which
The Railroad Companies, (deemng the position taken
in this respect By the Department, the proper one
however inadequate IN their opinion the compensation,
acceded. Should the present head OF the Department
now yield, to the Philadelphia and Baltimore Railroad
Company the ground taken and maintained BY his
predecessor in his controversy with the Virginia Com
panics he cannot expect that these last VIII be wiling
in future contracts. 10 accept restrictions not imposed
on others and the result of which must be, Of course
10 make The chances always against mem, Tor favorable
hours, in all arrangements Of mail schedules
We trust is late iGr. Mr.. Granger IN revise
his arrangements with the PhIndc phia and Baltimore
Railroad Company, and 10 hasten on the mail on this
important route-ti" most important Of all The mail
routes to the whole South and South West. If It BE-
true that the mail may be in New York At Ms hour al
rhch il nUtc eares Baitim0rf, then there Is certainly
great room for improvements in the present schedule,
and the Railroad Companies interested, ought TO be
willing for fair consideration 10 effect il. II they
will not then have hesitation in saying that the
mail ouat net 10 be rarricd at all M,sr rO"ds bu;
the patronage Of the Department made use Of 10 oh.
tain The accommodation i, requires by line of steam
boats and canal barges the Chesap eake and Della
ware Canal between Philadelphia and Baltimore, or BY
other route.