Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-12

such constant lnrachons
violations Of the laws Of Congress regulating the General
Post Office.
took occasion to invite your attention this subject in
my report Of last year, under the hope that legislation
in aid Of the present laws would take place. enable the
Department more efectualy To proectit>eh.
Ii is made the exclusive duty of the General Govern
establish post offices and post roads. The State
Governments have right interfere with the snblec
neither has individual company OF individuals such
right.
Upon most of the rail roads the IT, States which
the mail transported immense expense, there
be found individuals engaged in the transportation of mail
matter, in vioatian of the laws of the land-laws which
prohibit the offence but do punish by adequate
ton.
modification of the laws regulating the franking priv
ege is essential the continued prosperity OF the Depart
The original grant OF this privilege was designed
the better enable the public officer discharge his OH
cial duties without burden upon his private means Is
now generally esteemed more n private and individual
right, than official privilege. persons entitled to this
privilege enjoy it themselves without lend
ing their franks Others the burthen and loss to the De-
partmen would be great and there would be less
cauue OF just complaint by the public
Although the of l725 expressly declares that if any
person shall frank letter letters other than those writ
by himself his order the business OF his office
he SHALL conviction thereof fine OF ten dollars and
shall be the especial duty OF to prosecute for
said offence the penalty declared by this law has been
sufficient to prevent the two frequent violation OF its pov
sions.
II Congress shall deem it inexpeden limit further
restrain this night imposition of the penalty upon
him who the frank of another is imposed upon the
who abuses his privilege, would tend greatly to les
the evil.
The whole number Of free letters through the post
office annually far the returns of posmasters exhibit
is about three millions.
Assuming fifteen the average rate OF each letter
if charged with postage four hundred and fifty thousand
dollars would be the amount received Thus 1t will he
that scracey ninth of all the matter which
Though the mail passes free OF postage. The loss TO the
Department, does stop here Two paid to post
each of these letters, constituting an annual
charge upon the of $4,000. An evil of this
ntnde, trust will fail the attention of Con-
gress, who alone apply the proper corrective IL Is
wrong burden the business and friendly correspondence
of the community with this heavy charge.
The pabic voice has called for reduction OF the rates
of postage upon letters; and whilst have e; its force and
constrained acknowledge its Justice have heretofore
been deferred from making specific recommendation
this subject lest by sudden reduction the only source OF
income might fail meet the demands of the service
With a proper regulation of the Thanking privilege, and
further protection against the violations of the laws OF the
Department. have doubt considerable reduction in
postage might be safely made and the benefits and advana
ges OF the 10 many the cou
which great destitute OF proper
mail accommodations. More especially could this he done,
if Congress- BIZ some permanent arrangement with tine
railroad companies would relieve the Experimentation the
immense, and constantly increasing amount annually paid
those companies for transporting the public mail
ventued TO recommend in my former1<port 10 you,
that Congress should hsn egslate upon this subject Moth
has occurred since doubt the correctness of
the opinions then expressed On the contrary subsequent
developments have strengthened the views then obuded
upon your consideration
Without the right the Department control the arr.
val and departure of the mails regularity and despatch
not DC expected. IS rgnt Wnlcn the ralIoau
panes, in their periodical contracts, will yield willingly;
and when they do yield make ground increase their
demands upon the Department for transporting the mail.
For the OF railroad there be
competition Why then subject the Department 10 the
less ceremony of advertising periodically for bids carry IN
mails railroads. requiring 10 take the loves, bid when
there will be but bid for the route. Zach letting
has heretofore been and will hereafter be- but invitation
the companies increase the prices previously paid
Ii in vain dsguise the fact that the United States
compelled employ these roads carriers Of the mall
Justice and policy alike require of the Government to
send the mail by the most expeditions means OF con-
| veyance, and ii employ of it, creation
equal TO the railroads As Government, cannot, by le
gsation, control those companies which have their copo
existence by State enactments The United States
therefore purchase the right and the question
ed IS whether it best purchase this right every four
| or for the period Of the charter of the road
Its question of ability this time, the part
the Government, than policy, to my humble opinion.
The plan which proposed was that Congress SHOULD
authorize the Department purchase this right;
the stpuaiions with the companies
those contracts made from time time, Congress,
be binding only when ratified by Congress. Nothing dan
gerous arise from thus treating with the companies Nc
enlargement Of Executive power is asked On the
ry is proposed subject Executive power directly 20 the
controlling influence of Congress. As the law stands
the Department has the power with these
panes for four years, with nominal limitation the
be paid them per mile. Surely danger
public liberty legislative authority, by authorizing the
Department make provisional permanent contract, sub
ject TO the approval of both Houses of Congress.
The great question involved Is whether Congress should
make these contracts and pay the consideration of the
the Government or whether the Department shall
levy the amount by continuing the present of postage
upon letters and in all time come devote large portion
thereof TO the for railroad transportation deny
the hope the distant and less favored portion:
of country of increased mail facilities The
OF railroad ransportOn for the last year, stands 1892
56S The whole length of mail road in the United
is ll9 1872 miles, costing 3Oo7,796. OF this length Of
mail road only 1901 miles railroad transportation,
Of 1892 SOS. Only oryeighth part the whole
number of miles costing seventh part Of the gross
repeat the inquiry made former accession. IL jus
that the whole burden Of the public correspondence,
nearly equal half million of dollars annually, should b
sustained by upon the business and friendly coespOn
dence the community If the government from
the than the and expense of transport
ing his letters he has right complain but when ad
dtonal is wanted defray the expenses Of transport
ing the pondence of the Government and it, officers
that sum, like the for every other public service should
be drawn from the common resources OF the country.
IL is proposed that in lieu Of annual drain from the
Treasury the postage upon the public correspondence
the United States and pay for the perpetus
right transport the mails railroads. Can this nigh
be secured upon fair ond reasonable tennss ques
ton toy be tested by fair experiment. am Of opn
ion il he secured upon most, If all Of the npor
roads, upon reasonable tenns and with ample qua
rdnteos.
1t is part Of the business Of this Department TO speaI
OF the effects which such contract, with the railroad
panes would produce upon public credit, both home
abroad. The effecs whatever they may he for good
but incidental the great object be attained in reference
/ 10 the nail service Of the United States.
Entertaining these opinions upon this subject pray yol
10 allow most respectfully them upon you
sideration.
Public opinion seemed strong in favor Of a reduction
postage upon letters that il could be regarded no Othc
light than demand upon those having the power M
subject; have felt its influence, but have been unwilling
advisedy ia any recommendation might make upOr
the subject IL will be remembered that England recently
Of nc