The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-10
NEW POST OFFICE LAW.

the want of an adequate compensation TO the deputy
postmasters is not the least. The compensation al
lowed by the old law was certain per centum
(from 80 per cent to as low as 8 per cent? on the
proceeds of each Office, together with the franking
privilege The pay thus allowed, with the franking
privilege, was a very inadequate compensation for
their aborious and important services. Perhaps, no
class of officers in the government rendered so much
service for SO small a compensation. The new law
made no alteration in their compensation, unless II
was done in the clauses making appropriations for
the service of the department Congress foresaw
that there would be great falling off in the revenues
of the department, and corresponding diminution
in the compensation Of the postmasters; and made
general appropriations, as to give the department
the same amount of money that had been expended
during the last year. The question was soon pre-
scented to the Postmaster General, whether any
of the money thus appropriated could be applied to
the payment of postmasters and their clerks, as
other revenues of the department. and if SO, how
much was to be paid' We understand that the Post
master General was very reluctant to place such a
construction upon the law, as would give him power
over the compensation of fourteen thousand officers
But the necessity Of the required something to
be done. Postmasters were resigning in such num-
bers, to create an apprehension that the public
service would be materially injured, unless some
further compensation could be given them. 1t was
certain that, in some of the important Offices, the
postmasers would not only receive no compensa-
ton, but would be actually in debt some hundreds
ofdollars at the end of each quarter, if their pay
were limited to the per centum the hostages The
Postmaster General very properly submitted the
question to the Attorney General, and we are graf
flied to have it in power to lay before the public
the clear and forcible exposition given by that Off
Ger of the law, which we think will be satisfactory
to the public
The Postmaster General yesterday acted upon
the opinion Of the Attorney General, which he
was satisfied was the true construction of the law;
and ordered that the deputy postmasters be paid the
ensuing year, the same compensation which they
had received during the last year. We lay before
our readers copy of this Order, as well as the
opinion of the Attorney General,
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENTS,
July 9, ls45
Ordered, That, from and after the LIST day OF
July, 1645, every deputy postmaster whose COM
missions on the hostages of letters at 3O per
cent. and Of newspapers at so per cent, under the
net Of Sd March, 1926, shall fall short of the sum
of Sc IS for any quarter, of the proportional
part of that sum for any fraction of quarter, be
authorized to credit HIMSELF in q separate item in
his account current, for extra commission on the
postage Of letters at 20 per cent, under the act OF
Sd March, lS45.
If the postmaster be entitled to the allowance OF
90 per cent. for night service, he will not credit the
extra commission here mentioned, so per cent is
the utmost which can be allowed in any case under
the law
Ordered, That every deputy postmaster whose
commissions on the postage of letters and newspa-
pers and other allowances shall exceed the sum OF
Sc rs in any one quarter, or the due proportion OF
the said sum i'll any part of a quarter, be author
ized in the event that such commissions and allow
ances fall short of the amount to which such dep
uty postmaster was entitled for the corresponding
quarter of the fiscal year ending 30th June, l645 ia
credit himself in separate item in his account cur
rent, for such amount of extra commissions as shall
make the whole amount credited equal to the same
the said extra commissions to be subject to the pro-
vision contained in the 4lst section of the act of Sd
March, 1925, and to the regulations of the depart
o''' $500 C. JOHNSON.
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFIcE,
June %, l845.
To the Hon. Gaze johnson, Postmaster General:
Sir: Your communication of the 5th ult., with the
letter of the deputy postmaster at Boston, accompa-
nying it. was duly received and regret that urgent
official engagements, and other causes beyond my
control, have prevented me from furnishing my
opinion at an earlier day.
You represent that there is reason to apprehend
that the reduction of postage under the operation Of
the act of Congress of the Sd March, l845, may be
40 great as to render the compensation allowed by
4 defrav
the expenses Of their Offices, including charges for
the labor of assistants necessary to the duty of re-
ceving, transmitting and delivering the contents Of
the mails.
The question on which you ask my opinion, is
whether there is any provision OF law which VIII
authorize you to supply the unprecedented de6cien-
cyl
The subject is one of great interest, and of ex-
treme delicacy. II is a matter of regret, that the
question should be regarded as doubtful. The i'm
portance Of prompt and regular distribution OF the
mails, and of an efficient management of the post
Offices, must be acknowledged; while it is not desira-
BILE to claim for the department discretionary pow
er, which may be liable TO abuse. With full APP
probation of its importance, have examined the
subject with great care, and now give you the re-
suits of that examination.
The system established by law, for furnishing to
the public facilities of INSTRUMENTATION by mail
is Of vast public Importance and in its operations
reaches every part Of our widely extended country
II consists of three great divisions: the General
Post Office the post Offices and the transportation
of the mail Each is essential to the successful
operation Of the others, The General Post Office al
the seat of government directs and regulates the
entire vast machine; the post Offices receive and
give out letters papers, and other matter deposited
and the contractors transport them, from one point
TO another for distribution. This system, IN all Its
parts is called in the laws, the Post Office Depart
ment. Its expenditures may be classed IN Ike man.