The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-24
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AND
THE RAILROADS.

Nothing nut the capious fault finding spirit, the
political disease of the age, could, one would think
have discerned in the proposition the Postmas-
ter General, in reference to railroads, any thing
incompatible with the acknowledged powers OF
Congress, and of the parliamentary thing
in fact which is not conducive to the interests
of these works, and to the convenience Of the
public, as far as thats involved in the regularity
of the mails. With few exceptions, his pro
position has been looked upon as indicative OF
enlarged and liberal views. The more tits con.
Esidered, the more it will grow upon the public
esteem. We are mistaken if this strong sug-
gestion of Mr. Wickliffe, does not prove to be a
seed pregnant Of great results. Under discus
sion il will grow in public favor. The most
that he had time TO do, from his recent Undue
ton to office, was 10 throw out the suggestion.
After certain, and not distant day. the post
age accruing from the large Atlantic cities,
which these roads connect, will have increased
to an immense amount, while the expense OF
ansporta,ion will remain stationary--so that
either the rate of postage may be greatly re-
duced, its amount, in proportion TO the cost
of transportation, will be greater than it is now,
by vast amount-making a sinking fund ade-
quate, if so applied, in certain period of years,
Ito the extingushment of the debt contracted
for securing the use of the road. The Sa-
gon not given to atitudinaranism, speaks thus
iavorably Of the plan;
THE GENERAL rosT OFFICE AND RAILROAD.
Postmaster General Wickhlc has suggested plan,
which, so far can learn gives general sasiac-
ton in all quarters Ii his proposition should be act
ed upon by Congress- it would form new era in the
history of this important department of the Govern
ment Mr. Wicklife stat es, that the annual amount
now paid to the different railroad companies Of the
United States, is more than 100000 and that with
out the United States having the least control over
the time of arrival and departure of the mails. He
proposes to to the United States the right to
transport the mail upon these roads, in all time to
come by paying tothese various companies an amount
of which the annual outlay Of say 100000, would
he the interest, at five per cent. The prompt hon
of Congress this subject, would enable the Del art
ment says the Postmaster General, to sustain itself
without calling upon Congress for appropriations for
its support, and this plan, together with proper mi-
taons the ranking privilege, would enable the De
parment to pay not only the interest on the SUBJ SO
advanced, but the principal
The effect of this measure upon the various rail-
roads in the country would under their present
Strengthened circumstances, operate most benehciay.
We have, fortunately, delegation in Congress who
will omit no eXertions to secure to Savannah and her
railroad all the important advantages which they
have just right to claim for her fraction of that
which would be appropriated to road, would
complete il in six months, and prodigious impulse
be given to the business of it, while corresponding
rise in the stock would be to follow We know
of no suggestion calculated to be attended with more
useful resu to the public interest and we hope that
our delegation in Congress will regard the plan as
lavorably as we do.