Mobile register and journal., 1845-11-15

whole day. Such things are occurring constantly.
As far as havA been able to observe the policy
Of the present Postmaster General, his admnslra-
ton is ore Of great energy and efficiency. and he
has no. received that degree of credit which he SO
richly deserves. The mail between Washington
and Mobile has been increased ia speed about esive
hours, and orders given for greater expe-
dition. In the spring, will be placed on
the Charleston and Columbia route, which will give
still greater impetus to The travel. BY about
March, too, the Postmaster General will be able 10
increase the speed oil the mals between New York
and New Orleans tHenty:foE hours, and this TOO
without any extra allowance or cost 10 the depart.
He has been for long time endeavoring to
effect this arrangement, and has ut last, am glad
to say, succeeded. The company demanded, in the
first instance, believe, extra pay TO the amount of
fifteen thousand dollars. He refused this and threat
ened 10 start lice himself; they then fell to 81 800
He refused TO give that, and just drawing out
Il contract TO have the mail between here and New
York run by express, when the company acceded to
hs terns and thus by stern and energy, he has
saved fifteen thousand dollars from being squander-
ed out Of The treasury. When Mr.. Johnson first
cane into Office the mail for ST, Louis was IN the
habit of lying seventeen hours Cincinnati and on
issuing his order that the company put on more
boats, a demand for six or seven thousand dollars
bonus was made. Gave would not stand this, how
ever, and told them that they must do it without or
lose the contract, and finding him inexorable they al
last acceded. The mail now goes directly on " it'll
out stopping.
An instance Of retorlon by these steamboat
nopolies is lately seen in the demand made the
department of $4,000 for carrying the mail be-
tween Charleston and Savannah; and am Eurpris
ed to see how editors of newspapers have suffered
themselves be led into the defence of steamboat
monopoly against the equitable and liberal terms of
the government. The route from Charleston 10
Savannah is l25 miles, and has heretofore the
department by steamboats, $4,000; to supply by land
intermediate Offices, ri-weekly in stage, $4,-
400. being total OF $l3,40O, Taking the present
demand of $4,000 for steamboat carriage, and the
lowest bid for supplying the Intermediate offices
| IN suIkes tri weeky, which learn from the
| tract Office to he $4,000 and here is gross sum
of $4,000 asked for carrying isolated mail 125
miles! The palpable extravaganza OF such amount,
may be seen in contrast with other routes. The
|
steamnats, Zone hundred and ft1p mies,) is taken
at $5,t00 and the mail being more than double as
large. On the great line from New York to Bos
ton BY Slonins ton-mail service l25 mies-the
tract ia taken at $4,000! the mails being more than
four fold more weight and importance. On The line
betwee, New York TO Albany and Troy. Zone han
drsd aad fry nilss,) in steamboats, Of The first class
mails Imporianl and of more weight--$6,.
900! Now here is enough to convince any reason
able man, that the attempt to make the government
pay $40 900 for carrying the mail between Charles
ton and Savannah is sheer imposition and ought
not to be counter lnced. The hostages at Savannah
the present year, will be about Sc 900, and at Ma.
con about half that sum, and these are the most in
portant and profitable Offices The route. II is ey-
ident, then, that the route will not pay itself, and #
the Postmaster allows the government to be impos-
ed upon, other portions of the Union will have to
| be taxed to make up the deficit The Postmaster
General has very properly offered to contract for
some other conveyance Unless this monopoly are
disposed to act honestly, he will doubt return 10
| the land route. As much misrepr esentation has
been made this subject will that the time
by steamboats, is thirteen or fourteen housekeeping
! Charleston at ten O'Clock A. NJ, and reaching Sa-
vannal at II P, NJ. The time by land is "a hours
leaving Charleston at 10 A. M, and reaching Savan-
nah next day at 10 AN. The steamboat line reach.
ing Savannah at IL O'Clock at night, is benefit
to the citizens until seven or eight o'clock in the
morning; that the difference in the time of arr.
val should be regarded three hours. The de-
parment have the tri-weekly sulky line made
laiy a hv dnuhIi iha and all bo
service performed would cost but $40 900 instead of
$40, 600, as now demanded. There is but little
carried by this mail, being until lately principally
! confined to Georgia. The Florida mail now goes
tina, way, but as we'll go by Augusta.
By proper system Of retrench ment doubt is
entertained, that the post Office will pay its ex-
penses and what good citizen is there who will not
heartily cooperate with the government this end.
The deficit this year will be about 81 800 900. In
the two three Northern States, where new con-
tracts have been made, some seventy thousand dol
lars have been saved. similar reduction in other
parts Of the Union will in l848, when the cheap sys-
tenn Of postage will work under the contrac Is,
produce suficIeucy make up the present deficit.
| may refer you to an instance Of extravagant out
lay al your own door. The mai line from Mobile
to New Orleans is the highest price paid the U.
Staes-amnuntng 10 the enormous Of $40 900.
Offers with the best security for faithful performance
have been made to carry This mail at half of that
sum, but the contract, like some others, is a con-
gressional one, and il is thus placed of the pow
er Of the Postmaster General to resclnd 1t. The
line from Wilmington to Charleston is another in
stance of extravaganza, and there being other
carry the great southern mail, the evil is at
present without remedy.
These facts, both in regard to DELAYS in mail arr-
walls and the economical administration Of the de-
partment, interesting all sections of the coun-
try. have no doubt, that with the assistance Of
Congress, the Postmaster General will soon be able
to obtain the geatest expedition practicable with
our present modes of travel. Power should be
roads upon the revenue Of private expresses, and
this power should be similar in extent The
ury for preventing smuggling All the penalties un-
der the present law, are aborive and unavailing
States will also. have finally to interfere with the
steam travelling monopolies, and compel the car
rage of mail matter the same terms other
freighs. The pay is prompt, and without inconye-
nience being feIt ia the bulk Of the mail matter.
NORTH ALABAMA.
THE FRANKLIN SocIETY.-We take pleasure
in laying before our readers to-day, report OF the
present condition of this institution, and the cheer
ing prospects that beginning TO dawn upon the