The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-10

proper that opinion their justice should be
expressed.
Under these circumstances, two questions naturally
present themselves: How is the Department to be
sustained under its present embarrassments 7 and,
w hat are It's financial hopes for the future y
As no estimates, upon which can be based an an
swer 10 the first inquiry be presented until full
statement OF the balances due from postmasers shall
have been reported by the Auditor il is passed. with
the single remark, that, although il hardly be
doubted that large aggregate sum will be found due,
u to be feared that from the small amount OF most
OF such separate balances scattered throughout this
widespread nation, the want Of responsibility in many
OF these officers and many Of their securities and the
lapse of time since these balances accrued but in
considerable part of the actually due will ever
be received therefore remains for Congress 10 de-
ternne whether the amount now due TO contractors
shall be paid from the National Treasury, whether
this Department shall struggle on with its present
embarfassments, consuming It's daily accruing reve-
nues In the partial payment Of old debts, and still
leaving large balances which it has the ability to
discharge
Notwithstanding the heavy increased expenditure
consequent upon the act of 7h July, 1885, and al
though instead Of the supposed gradual Off
venue the receipts for the quarter ending 3ls March
last present. as compared with the corresponding quar-
Ter of the year before, dimnuon Of more than sin
per cent, still the Department would probably find
sufficient relief in its future operations from the de
crease of prices whic-, it may be calculated, will be
hereafter demanded upon most of the routes, il
not for the continually increasing exaclions In other
branches of the service.
To present this subject in its 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 paid for mail service upon the routes
| This table is hereto annexed, marked ID.
On an examination of this statement, il will be seer
that in some cases, the amount demanded by railroad
companies for transportation of the mails is thar
bro hundred per cent. higher than paid for coacl
service upon roads forming connecting links between
| different railroad companies, upon the same mar
oule and that, too where the night service upon thu
railroads is less than that performed in coaches Sucf
demands deserve more consideration from the fact
that whilst at the recent lettings at New York and II
the six Eastern States the accepted service by coaches
other modes of conveyance has been secured at
average saving of Twenty-Five per cent. upon the con
tracts Of 1887, there but lew instances where TIN
demands of incorporated companies have not been in
creased in such manner imposed upon me the neces
sty of suspending the contracts Nor is the extrava
CANT price demanded for mail transportation upon rail
roads the only manner in which these Incorporation
affect the revenue of this Department The facilities
secured by this mode ofconveyance for sending letter
by private hands very seriously diminish the receipts
OF the offices upon these routes single illustration
| will establish this assertion
Boston is Of the most important points of rail
road concentration in the Union Its business pros
pery is proverbal and yet in that city the quaite
ending 81 March last shows, as compared with thu
corresponding quarter of the year before decreas
in postage receipts Of three thousand one hundred ant
/ ninefy-fre doiiars-bcng double the amount Of dimi
mutton 10 be found, within the time, in any othe
post Office in the nation, with the single exception
Philadelphia, which another great terminus OF rail
/ road communication.
These facts presented in spirit of unkindnes
towards those to whose management these incorpora
tons entrusted, but that have considered it du
TO our whole people to refer TO this subject on
which will long call for national and State legis
ation, unless corrective be applied by pubic
opinion
A considerable saving will be found in the cul,aiI
ment Of service generally directed by my immediat
predecessor in limiting the transportation of the mail
to six trip: week upon most of the routes through
out the nation The embarrassed condition of til
finances of the Department. if il to remain unad
ed by Government clearly indicated the proprieiy 9
some reduction of service and the religious sense
the community will certainly approve the feeling tina
selects the Sabbath the day which that servic
should not be performed Yet it cannot be denie,
that this order has horne heavily upon actors
in many instances causes great arrangement in tn
Transportation of the mails.
i Whilst in some sections of our country this aera
ton has not only received cheerful acquiescence blu
is warmly approved there has been great general
plant of Its operation and daily appeals for the old ia
ces pressed upon the Department. Withou
entering upon this subject at large it is sufficient 70
my present purpose to state that this order purpor
to have been given to reduce the expenses of the De
parment, and to aid in bringing them within its re
ceipts, return t. the former service, at this time
might well be considered a declaration of my con
6dence in its ability to sustain the expenditure neces
sary for such restoi alton have therefore felt i'm
perative upon me adhere to this order OF curtail
ment.
The building being erected for the Genera
Post Office far advanced give assurance that
it be completed before the session of Congress in
December. This is much to be desired, only fol
the convenience of the transaction of business, bu
that the public property may be kept in security
Such means within my power continually
employed protect the present building from fire, but
in It's exposed condition the danger of destruction to
the books and papers of the Office is of con-
slant anxiety
All which is respectfully submitted.
j FRANCIS GRANGER.
i To the PRESIDENT of the United States.