Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-16
tn. P.n Ome, and Rail Rnnd,.

We understand correctly the important susses.
ton contained in the following extract from the
Report of the Post Master General it is essentially
and radically different from that which we were in
duced, 10y letter writers, to believe, was to be pro-
posed by that officer We we,s told, that i, was 50
be recommended to Congress To purchase the stock
oil the Kai Road companies to controlling extent,
and issue Treasury notes in payment, as a medium
OF circulation. We do not discover any nj these
features in the Postmaster Generals Report, II
they DC there, however, opposed to the whole
project Bat, as before remarked, we observe moth.
ing o. the klrd. We understand him 10 propose 10
make a permanent contract with the leading Rail
Road companies instead Of an annual one for carry.
ing the mail. The conditions Of the contract to be
somewhat Of this kind The Government pays to
the companies certain amount Of bonds, which at
per cent. interest, will yield sun equivalent to
the present cost per mile for Transporting the mail
Say for instance, the cost per mile is $500 year
the amount Of bonds will be $4,000 mile. The Co
Vernment IN consideration Of the advance Of these
bonds is to have the right ofreguuting the hour Of
arrival and departure Of the mail Cars-tbe com
pinics peJging themselves, in consideration ofthe
bonds and the annual payment Of the interest, to
transport the mail forever.
We not aware that any very serious objection,
exist to tho scheme unless il be in the issuing such
bonds, and in the control over the companies, which
the righ, Of regulating the hour Of running may give
to the Government. Great pu5llc conVoniene,
would certainly ensuo from the regularity in IN,
mais-unJ in the end prove true economy. by re.
leyng the Government OF the eItorlions OF some Of
the companies
Esiraet from me Po'fmasisr G,nsrors RepoyL
"a anxious desire to effect some permanent mr..
Tdngement with the railroad companies Tor the
tanspor elton Of the mai, upon basis which shall
be both Just and uniform considering the nature Of
the service performed Ivy each, niuc-d me to invite
msstiDg Of the presidents Oft the different comma
MES, IN the city Of Washington, on the lot Of nnua
~ next and am gra'hsd At the prompt manner in
which q who have been heard from have consent.
ed to attend, md hope Is cherished that some mr..
engagements, satisfactory TO oil parties and bent hcia
TO the public, may yet be effected.
"The improved mode Of inorcommunication by
railroad and steam, operating under chartered rights
granted by tho States, and over which 20 is not pre-
tended that the General Government, much less the
Post Ofhcc Department, can exercise any control,
/ imposes upon Congress, IN my opinion, new duties
l and Obligations, which can only be cancelled by the
adoption Of some measure whereby the Post Cfice
| Department may, upon adequate consideration, SO
core by compact the right 10 transport the mail IN
the cars Of railroad companies and at the same time
give 70 the Department tho power to control tho de
/ parure and arrival Of the same.
"There is now pad u tho different railroad com
| pnnies, annually, over 100000 for tho service,
/ without power IN the Department 70 regulate the
travel, arrival, and departure Of the mail; and con
slant and frequent difficulties both in entering toto
and the execution Of contracts, are presented.
| ut has occurred TO me that the present was n
most favorable period for tho adoption OF some nea
| sure by Congress whereby TO secure the u States