Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-06-18

sHdI NC pau TOiIi tne NdtOHdl lTcdsuTy, UT
whether this Department shall struggle on with
its present embarrassmcnts, consuming its
daily accruing revenues in the partial payment
of old debts, and still leaving large balances
which it has not the ability todischarge.
| Notwithstanding the heavy increased expendi-
lures consequent upon the act 9TH July, 1888,
and although, instead Of the supposed gradual
increase OF revenue, the receipts for the quarter
ending 3lst March last present, as compared
with the corresponding quarter Of the year be-
fore, dlmlnutlon OF more than six per cent.
still the Department would probably find suffi-
Gent relief in its future operations from the de-
crease of prices which, it may be calculated,
will be hereafter demanded upon most of the
routes, were it not for the continually increasing
exactions in other branches Of the service.
10 present this subject in the most Ineligible
form, the First Assistant Postmaster General has
prepared tabular view of recent proposals, that
comparison may be made between the amount
of present bids and the sums now paid for mail
service upon the same routes. This table is
hereto annexed, marked d.
On an examination of this statement, it will
be seen that, in some cases, the amount de-
manded by railroad companies for transportation
OF the mails is more than two hundred per cent,
higher than is paid for coach service, upon roads
forming connecting links between different rail-
road companies, upon the same main route, and
| that too were the night service upon the rail-
roads is less than that performed in coaches.
Such demands deserve more consideration from
the fact that, whilst at the recent lettings in
New York and in the six Eastern States the &C.
cepted service by coaches and other modes Of
conveyance has been secured at an average saw
ing oftrenty-tDO per cent, upon the contracts Of
1897, there are but few instances where the de-
mands Of Incorporated companies have not been
increased in such name as imposed upon me
the necessity of suspendng the contracts. Nor
is the extravagant price demanded for mail trans.
portation upon railroads the only manner in
whchthese interpretations affect the revenue Of
this Department. The facilities secued by this
mode of conveyance for sending letters by
private hands very seriously diminish the
receipts of the Office upon these routes. A
singe lu t'aton will establish this assertion.
Boston is one of most important points of rail.
road concentration in the Union. Its business
prosperity is proverbial and yet in that city the
quarter ending 3lst March last shows, as com
pared with the corresponding quarting O
the year before, decrease in postage receipts
OF three thousand one hundred and ninety
five dollars-being double the amount of dm
mutton to be found, within the same time, II
any other post office in the nation, with the sin
gle exception Of Philadelphia which is another
great terminus of railroad communication.
These facts are presented in no spirit Of un
kindness towards those to whose management
these interpretations are intrusted, but that
have considered it due to our whole people t,
refer to this subject, as one which will ere LONG
call for national and State legislation, unless
corrective be sooner applied by public opinion.
A considerable saving will be found in the cur
tamcnt of service generally, directed by IN,
immediate predecessor in limiting the transpor
taton OF the mails TO six trips week upon mos
OF the routes throughout the nation. The EN-
barrassed condition of the finances Of the De
partment if it was to remain unaded by tn
Government, clearly indicates the propriety O
some reduction of service, and the religion
sense OF the community will certainly approx
the feeling that selects the Sabbath as the da
on which that service should not be performed
Yet It cannot be denied that this order has born
heavily upon contractors, and in many instance
causes great arrangement in the transportatio
of the mails.
Whilst in some sections OF our country thi
alteration has not only received cheerful &C
qulescence, but is warmly approved, there ha
been great general complaint Of its operation
and daily appeals for the old facilities are presse
upon the epartment.-Wthout entering upo
''' sunJcCt dl large, IL IL sulllClent IOr my pre-
sent purpose to state that, as this order purport
to have been given to reduce the expenses @
the Department, and to aid in bringing then
within Its receipts, return to the former ser
vice, at this time, might well be considered a
declaration of my confidence in its ability t,
sustain the expenditure necessary ior such res
toratIon ! have therefore felt it imperatv,
upon me to adhere 10 this order of curtailment
The building now being erected for the Gen
eral Post Office is so far advanced as to give
assurance that it can be completed before the
session of Congress in December. This i.
much to be desired, not only for the convenience
Of the transaction Of business, but that the
public property may be kept in security-Sucl
means as are within my power are continually
employed to protect the present building from
fire, but in its exposed condition the danger o
destruction to the books and papers of the office
is a source of constant anxiety.
All which is respectfully submitted.
FRANCIS GRANGER.
To the PRESIDENT of the United States.