New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-12-18

since the 4tl OF Narcn last :. mn -.
Il !. 10 be expected that among l4,OUU dePut!
ros,rr,.,.r. (anpointed generally without per-
sonal knowledge of the individuals or their secufi-
will be found some who will prove faith
To-. - heir trusts. and whose securities are not
cod for the amount due the Department In view
az rms. have instituted rigid inquiry, not only
into the fitness and business qualifications OF the
,ostmnsicr- but the solveacy OF their securities.
{ from which the best results may - anticipated.
This operation performed in part by the special
agents Of the Department. under the letter OF In
s;r,ictioas annexed (marked c. and the prompt
settlement Of the accounts OF all po5tTasters viii
more efectually guard The Department; from losses
By deiaultns Postmasiers.
The reduction Of the postage upon letters i a
SUBJECT when has engaged the public attention Tor
wears, and Is one oil great interest to The wno.e
community.
Il Is contended BY many whose opinions are en-
ttled TO respectful confederation. that the reduc-
ton of postage would give IN increase OF revenue.
Withou; undertaking TO discuss this question at
present, am aotprepared from the present haan-
cial coalition u tue Department, to recommend d
reduction OF the rates Of postage, az now liked by
/ law. but invite modification VI them 20 far as 10
make them conform generally 20 the smaller
coins OF TIE United States, and solicit revision OF
the laws regulating the postage on newspapers l
do not desire that the rates Of postage on ncwsra-
/ prs proper should be Increased though much
/ might be saved u tho Department II the principle
/ of pre-postage was applied to newspapers. provi-
ded such regulation was dcracd acceptable 10 pub
/ tic opinion. | must, however, earnestly invite
YOUR attention, aud hope you VIII call that OF Con-
gIess TO the necessity Of tie enactment OF some
avs sy which Just discrimination may BE made
a. Of
per and these mammoth periodicals which assume
the shape and name OF newspapers, but which arc,
in fact. the republication OF books, reviews, and
aoycs, sent though the pos; Office, not alwass Ia
subscribers but in large masses 10 agents to tend
in the markets OF the more distant cities, towns aEd
villages, wiich greatly increase the SIZE and weight
Of the mails ami tie expense Of transportation,
without corresponding remuneration to the De
partuent The great number OF these large pu2-
locations which hive been sent by tie mail from
/ Baltimore TO Wheeling has mainly contributed u
the frequent irregularities Of the Western mails
Tor the last Twelve months. ! respectfully inquire
whether it Is i,-i thar the United States shall be
compelled transport Of these papers. weigh
iog nearly pound, for cent AMI halt, from
Boston or Newly orb to Louisville, Ky, to a factor
TO sell for the benefit OF the publisher while the
letter OF friendship or OF business is taxed twenty
| five cents postage between the same points.
| ! have already alluded to the establishment vi
what urc called private ex presses, ior the carrying
of lctters. packages and newspapers, upon the
post roads ct the United Suites, for pay and COM
ocnsaliun, as one cause tending greatly to the re-
duction of the revenue Of the Department
must be- leave again to bring the subject more
particularly to your notice. under hope that you
will invite that of Congress to the necessity OF
Ily
tect the interests and the rights Of the Genera,
Government in the Post Office Department.
If there is any grant of exclusive power to Con
sress upon which all unite in opinion, it is the
power to establish o,tofice. and post roads and
it may fairly be assumed as an admitted principle,
that when Congress- IN the exercise of IL power,
has established post road. the right OF State.
TO establish lines Of transportation, for letters,
packages, and newspapers, upon and over the same
roads, for compensation, cannot be successfully
maintained
How far this usurped power has been exercised
by individuals, and TO what extent, am not fully
informed; but the information communicated To-
the Department induced me TO avail myself OF The
services Of the First Assistant Postmaster General,
while II temporary visit Of business 10 Philadel-
pha. 10 collect and report to me such Information
upon the subject II. his other engagements would
permit; and | have the honor submit to
you his report
Another report from the First Assistant Post
master General, herewith submitted will present
Won with detailed statement of the amount Of
mail service for the year ending 1871, and the rate
of cost for the same in each State and Territory,
Distinguishing between each character of service.
BY tins Report i; appears that he United States
Mail WAS transported railroads and Steam
MI. ba nf
on horse and in sulkcy>, l., O9S, 1862 miles Mt a
cost # SIS ,&07 in stages and coaches, IL ,9Gl
2l3 miles, a, the cost Of $l,79l, 635- making
total aggregate of annual transportation OF
1896 52j milcs 1T TIE rate OF cost of 80 lj9 37j.
The act of 1888 declares that each railroad
within the limits of,he United States which now IS
OF hereafter may be completed shall be pot
road = and in that law, and The act of 1889, pro-
Postmaster General is prohibited from paying for
the transportation OF the mail railways will be
found.
Great cmbarrassmcnis to the Department have
arisen in the making of contracts for the trausror
tation of the mail with many ot the railroad COM
pancs under the laws now in force These en-
barrassments arise mainly from TIVE causes: The
one that The price which the Department is en-
obcd to pay whether in reference to Its means or
the maximum fixed by the legislation of Congress,
had been deemed inadequate by many of the pria-
cipa companies. The other arises from an ua-
Willingness rn the part of some Of the companies
to run by schedule prescribed by the D5pari.
menl; pretcuing to run at such times as vii!
b 81 suit the travel upon the road, regarding, "a
it is natural Tor them to do, the carrying OF the
mail as secondary 10 the ansporiaton OF pas>en-
gers. The latter evil has been particularly felt in
ths Great southern Mail. on is transit from Wash
ington CRY 10 N7w-Yotk. The mail going South
from Nsw-York Is necessarily thrown uPon the
Phlladclphla and Baltimore railroad in the wight,
between Philadelphia and Baltimore; and the
Southern Mail for New-lork ia compelled to lie