The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1845-12-16

do removals, 753
do commissions ex
pired and not reap
pointed, IA
do establishment
new post Offices 352
SIC contractors have been fl
ned to the extent Of $lO,52I 5O
The revenue Of the Depart
ment was 4,2S9;S4l oo
The expenditures 4,320,73l w
The nett revenue, after de-
ducting commissions of
postmasters, and contln-
gent and incidental expen-
ses 2,e42,2l7 81
Estimates falling off from change in
rates Of postage at 45 per cent. Assuming
this TO be correct, and that the savings on
contracts let and to be let will equal the
expenses on new routes and improved
service, there will be diminu:ion Of
means 81 ,323,997.
The reduction of cost of transportation
of mails in New England States and N.
York for the year ending 30th June NEXT,
while the same amount OF service Will be
performed as last year, will be $352,732.
The letting of new routes in the above
States will amount to S36,200.
OF 81 railroad contracts in those States,
only 35 have been adjudged in conse-
quence of exorbitant demands. The
railroad service performed is ONE TENTH
part of the whole; the pay they receive
ONE FIFTH part.
Should there be a similar saving in the
other divisions in letting the new con-
tracts, there will be further saving
In the Western section in the year en-
ding the 3Oth of June, lS47, of $685.
600;
Southern section in year ending Both
June, lS4s, of $23S,000;
Middle section in year, ending 3Oth
June, lS49, of Sls0,000;
The compensation to postmasters and
expenses of offices for the year ending
Both June, IS45, 81, ,409,S75 lS.
The designations consequent upon the
new law, previous to the issuing of the
circular giving the postmasters the same
compensation as last year, amount to over
5000.
Ailudes to the frauds committed under
the weight system, one envelope which ac-
cidentally broke, and was marked post
paid 81 go, contained 100 letters, which
were liable to $1,000 postage.
Recommends if the weight system is
to be continued, It's reduction TO a quarter
of an ounce for single postage.
In 1898, the weight of the mails for
one week in the cities of New York, Phi
ladelphia, Baltimore, Washington, and
Richmond, was tested, and the whole
weight amounted to 55,24I lbs.
The newspapers weighed, 54,s5S
Periodicals do 1857
Letters free and taxable, do 1916 4"
At present, he believes the printed mat
ter is NINE-tenths of the weight conveyed,
and that it pays only oNE-tenth of the ex-
pense.
He recommends that the rates of pos
tage be hereafter 5 cents for single let
ter under so miles.
10 cents for single letter over so
miles and under 800 miles.
Is cents for single letter over 300
miles.
These rates he proposes to continue un-
til the 3Oth June, lS4S, and then abolish
the Is per cent rate, and restore the rates
as at present. He recommends also the
of the former rates of postage
on printed matter, giving the right to the
publishers of conveying such matter out
of the mails if they think proper; also,
Limitation of the number of exchange pa
pers which editors may send and receive
free of postage, instancing the fact that
there are now from 100 to 1900 news
paper establishments, as proof of the a.
buse which may be practised under the
law as al present. Also, the restoration
OF the franking privilege to the postmas-
ters; and that all persons who, under the
old law, being in the employ of govern
ment, had the privilege of receiving let
ters free, should have that privilege resto-
red to them. He also recommends most
and energehcally, the making |
Of PAYMENT OF ALL POSTAGE IMPERATIVE |
UPON THE sENDERs. The report states
that there are estimated TO be not less than
100000 dead letters returned to the Post |
Office Department quarterly; and during
the first quarter under the operation of
the new law, 100000, the postage on
which is lost to the Government, as well an
amount of printed matter which
is never taken out of the offices. The
telegraph between Baltimore and
Washington has cost between the lst of
April and lst of October, $3,244 80, lin
cluding Prof. Morse's salary and the re-
ceipts have been SAB A.
R1NE ND R1NIHa