The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-01-19

From the Petersburg Lteiiigeacer.
REPORT
of the Post Master General

agement of that Department, for the year
ending on the Both of June, 1912:
"The whole amount of mail transport .
alton for the year ending June Both, l54l,
was 34,09G,525 miles, at a contract cost
of S3,l59,375. The whole amount OF
transportation for the year ending June
Both, 1912, was "a, 1885, 99l miles, al
contract cost Of S3,0S1 1856.
The amount Of expenditure Of the De-
partment, for the year ending June Both,
1912, was estimated, in my report Of De-
cember last, al 81, 100000. The revenue
to be derived from postage, &c. in the
same report, was at $4,3s0,000. The a
mount estimated for the expenditure did
not include the sums due by the Depart
ment prior to the Dist of March, IS4I.-
Thus exhibiting probable liability of
$4,000, beyond the estimated current
receipts for tina, year.
For the purpose Of bringing the expen-
ditures within the income Of the Depart
n mt, several routes Of comparative little
importance, which were attended with
great expense, have been discontinued, and
others more useful and less expensive es-
tabished in their stead.
1t will be seen by reference to my re-
port of December last, that the amount re-
ceived from postage OH letters and news
papers, and fines, for the year, commenc-
ing LIST July, 1910, and ending Both June.
1871, was stated to be S4,379,3l7 rs.
The amount arising from the same
sources for the year ending Goth June,
1912, is S4,546,2 4G 10. Thus showing
an increase of the revenue of the Depart
men,, Sl66,923 So, over the revenue Of
the present year.
This increase has not been the result of
an increase of mail matter, | am persuad-
ed, but has arisen from a more systematic
and vigilant execution of the law.
The gross expenditures Of the Depart
rnent for the year, ending BON June,
1912, so far as they have been audited and
paid, are S4,G27, 716 62-exceeding the
amount derived for postage, during the
same year, Ssl, 470 40.
| II VIII DC tliub W tiiS eN
approved the 9th September, ls4l, there
was appropriated, 'to enable the Post Of
fee Department to meet its engagement
and paw its debts" the sun S4S2,657.
or this sum, there has been expended
during the last fiscal year, the sum Of
1892, 1854 81, in satisfaction of demands
against the Departments, prior TO the
month of April, ls4l. The report of the
Chief Clerk upon this subject, No. l, will
exhibit more in detail the application OF
this fund.
Their remained unexpended Of this APP
preparation on 30th June, 1912, $4,000
40, TO meet such other demands as may be
established to be due prior to 3lst March,
1641.
This sum Of 1892 ,964 81 constitutes nc
part of the 81, $40, 246 ID, given above as
the revenue for the last year derivable
from postage and fines. II does, however
constitute part Of the S4,d27,7l6 81, the
gross expenditure for that year, and, IT de-
Quoted, will show the gross expenditure,
for ordinary current service, to be S4,235,-
052 IL.
This would present an apparent balance
/ for an excess OF revenue, over expenditure
of S3ll, l94 OF.
The report complains of the loss sus-
tanned by the Department, by the transpor'
lalion of letters and papers by persons un
connected with the Department on Raj
Roads and Steamboats,. 1t recommend;
the passage of some law more etfectua
than any now in force, TO enable the De
partment 10 protect itself. The repor
also, advises some modification of TIN
Franking power, which is now so much a
bused as TO cause serious loss to the De
partment.
On the subject of the reduction Of post
age, the report acknowledges the justice
of the claim of those who urge it.
1t says that with a restriction of the a
buses of the Franking Privilege, and {
proper protection against the violation
the Laws of the Department. a considera
bic reduction would be effected, and mor'
especially could it be done if Congress
| would make some permanent arrangement
for the transportation ofthe mails with tn
Rail Road Companies now engaged in tn
service. The report repeats suggestion
f formerly made by the Post Master Genel
al. 1t says;
"The plan which | proposed was th;
, Congress should authorize the Department
: to purchase this right enter into the stll
. ualons of contract with the companle
! and report those contracts, as made, trol
/; time to time, to Congress, TO be blndir
! only when ratified by Congress. Nothlu
Q dangerous can arise from thus treatir
: with the companies. On the contrar,
i it is proposed to subject Executive pow'
n directly to the controlling influence OF Coz
>, gress. As the law stands, the DepartmeI
has the power to contract with these con
!; panies for four years, with nominal Inn
tation as to the amonpt to be paid thel
per mile. Surely no danger can arse
public liberty or legislative authority, :
authorizing the Department to make
provisional permanent contract, subJe'
8 to the approvalof both Houses of Congres