Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-10
Vol. g.

Of twenty-five per cent upon the contracts o
1887 there are but few instances where the de-
mands Of incorporated companies have not been
increased, in such manner as imposed upon me
TIE necessity Of suspending the contracts. MOI
is the extravagant price demanded for mail trans.
portaon upon railroads the only manner in
which these interpretations affect the revenue oil
| this Department The facilities secured by this
mode Of conveyance for sending letters by pri-
vate hands, very seriously diminish the receipts
Of the offices upon these routes. single illus.
traon will establish this assertion.
Boston is one Of the most important points Of
railroad concentration in the Union. Its bust
ness prosperity is provsrbia and yet in that city
the quarter ending 31st March last shows, as
compared with the corresponding quarter Of the
year before, decrease in postage receipts Of
three thousand one hundred and ninety. fUe dol,
ldrS-being double the amount Of diminution to
be found, within the same time, in any other
post Office in the nation, with the single excep.
ton of Philadelphia, which is another great ter
minus 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 to refer to
this subject as one which will ere long call for
national and State legislation, unless correc-
tive be sooner applied by public opinion.
| A considerable saving will be found in the
curtailment Of service generally, directed by my
immediate predecessor, in limiting the transpor,
tation Of the mails TO six trips week upon most
of the routes throughout the nation. The en-
barrassed condition of the finances Of the De-
partment, if it was to remain unaided by Gov
eminent, clearly indicated the propriety Of some
reduction Of service, and the religious sense Of
the community, will certainly approve the feel
ing, that selects the Sabbath as the day on which
that service should not be performed. Yet it
cannot be denied that this order has borne heavily
upon contractors, and in many instances causes
great arrangement in the transportation OF the
mails.
Whilst in some sections Of our country, this
alteration has not only received cheerful ac-
quiescence, but is warmly approved, there has
been great general complaint of its operation,
and daily appeals for the old facilities are pressed
upon the Department. Without entering upon
this subject at large, it is sufficient for my present
purpose to state that, as this order purpoIts to
have been given to reduce the expenses Of the
Department, and to aid in bringing them within
its receipts, return to the former SERVICE at this
time, might we'll be considered as declaration
of my confidence in its ability to sustain the ex.
penditure necessary for such restoration. have
therefore felt it imperative upon me, to adhere tic
this order Of curtailment.
The building now being erected for the Genera
Post Office, is so far advanced as to give as
surance, that it can be completed before the SEES
sion of Congress in December. This is much
to be desired, not only for the convenience OIL
the transaction of business, but that the public
property may be kept in security. Such means
as are within my power are continually employed,
to protect the present building from fire, but in
its exposed condition, the danger of destruction
to the books and papers of the office, is source
Of constant anxiety.
All which is respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS GRANGER.
To the PRESIDENT of the United States.