New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-10
THE T'RIBUNE
Report of the Postmaster General.
Posr OFFICE D EPARTMEsr.

Office Department. for the year preceding the 30th
June, 1872 it affords me pleasure 70 say, lis con-
dition has been improved, and the service has been
attended with more than ordinary success, whether
considered in reference to the management of its
financial concerns or the regularity and extent OF
its operations.
4 public service, which requires the agency of
1888 postmasters and their clerks, 2,343 con-
tractors and their agents; covering, during the
wear, 1896 ,991 miles of transportation, and ex-
tending almost to the door of every citizen, must
encounter difficulties, and be subjected TO occa-
siona! irregularities, only from the neglect OF
some OF its numerous agents. but from physical
causes, not in the power of this Department to
overcome.
When the vast machinery of the General Post
Office, the mnuteness of its details, and the char
acterof the majority of the roads overwhch the mail
is transported, contemplated, there should be
OF astonishment at the general regularity of
the service than Of surprise and discomfort at oc-
casonal failures. Absolute certainty and I'M
broken regularity in the arrival and departure Of
,he mails, at all times. cannot, and ought not to be-
expected, And it is with pleasure bear test
mony, this occasion, the general zeal and
fidelity of those employed in this branch of the
public service
The whole amount of mail ansportation for the
year ending June Both, 1871, 1895, 525
whole amount Of transportation for the year end
ing June 3O,h, 1913, was S34 ,835,991 miles, al
contract cost of $3037,7 96.
The amount OF expenditure Of the Department,
for the year ending June, 1912, was estimated in
my report of December last, at 81 100000. The
revenue to be derived from postage, &c. in the
same report was estimated at 81 100000. The
amount estimated for tho expenditure did not in
ciude the sums due by the Department prior to the
3lst March, 1871. Thus exhibiting probable
liability of S1I0,000 beyond it's estimated
receipts of that year.
To bring the expenditure within the income OF
the Department was duty demanded at my hands
by regard for the observance of the principle
upon which desire to conduct the administration
OF the General Post office, viz: that while the
Department should not be regarded as source OF
revenue to The Government, it must not become an
annual charge upon the public treasury
10 effect this object, great labor and minute at
tention have been bestowed by all concerned.
revision of post.roads and post Offices, neces-
sary a reduction of Improbable routes, and the
dscontipuance of unproductive and useless post
Offices, and the substitution of others at i'm
portant points, better suited to the public wants ;
the institution Of a system for the preservation |
aad safety of the public property, and the reduc
tion of useless expenditures, task requiring
no ordinary portion of labor and time and its per-
Torrance could not fail often to subject the mead
OF the Department to censure and criticism from
those who did not feel the necessity OF the meas
ures adopted The effect has been salutary TO the
public service, as well in reference to its income as
TO its usefulness and cost. | refer you to the re-
ports of the First and Third Assistant Postmasters
General, which will give more in detail the effect
y,cl. has been produced by the measures adopted
Useless and unproductive routes have been DIS
continued; whilst others, mere convenient, less
expensive and more productive have been substl-
tuted In many instances, where the nature and
size OF the mail did not demand the higher grade
OF service the less expensive modes OF transporta-
ton have been employed This may be more
satisfactorily illustrated by reference to the SER
vice III the Northwestern and Southwestern DIS
trcts comprising the States of Michigan, Indiana,
Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama,
Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana and the
Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa, prior to the
lst JAY, 1912, and the service under the recent
lettings. The whole number OF miles OF mail
service in these districts annually was IL 500,
costing annually the sum of ST. l02 045 prior to the
list July last The recent contracts require the
transportation Of the mail in each year, IL 424 l2S
miles at e cost of $957, 769-thus giving in fact,
1925 miles more of service for $144 277 less
expense. And | do not hazard much when | as
sert that this saving has been made while the
service itself has BEEN in the aggregate, greatly
improved.
The heretofore heavy expenditure of mail bsgs
and locks has been greatly reduced. Entertaining
the opinion that by a proper system OF preserva-
tion and Just responsibility imposed upon puoiic
agents, the number of mail bags on hand was equal
to the wants of the service, and would be sufficient
to NEE, its demands for several years, have, IL
effect, ordered their manufacture to cease.
By the report of the Third Assistant, it will be
seen that the expenditure for ma-bass was, IN the
year 1887 --.-...... So6,1O2 20
In l656--- 1890 -oo,' 81 oo
In 1889 Observation-Disclosures 6 81 do
In 1910 80 1897 20
From LIST April, 1S4l, up 10 lsr April, 1872
tue amouut expended was but Sl556G 50.
From LIST April, 1912, to 1st October, 1872
elk munths-$7 ,64O59. A large proportion OF
which was tho mail bags manufactured prior to
l84l
Its important in every branch OF the public
service, to impress upon those in its employment
The necessity Of taking care of, and preserving the
public property, This is best done BY the adoP-
ton of appropriate system and holding TO
just responsibility those charged with adminlstra-
tive duties; and, when they prove themselves faith
less negligent, to appoint others IN their places.
The good effects of this rule strictly illustra
ted not only in the items of expenditure just emu
merated, but they are manifested throughout the
results OF the entire years service.
|, will be seen, by reference TO nv report of De-
cember last, that the amount received from post
age on letters and newspapers, and fines, for
the year commencing LIST July, lS40, and ending
30th June, lS4l, was stated 70 be Sd ,379,3I7 rs.
The amount arising frem the same sources for
the year ending 3oih June, 1912, is s4,546a4