The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-06
REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.

REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
! We nj AXE a synopsis of the report of the Post
master General.
/ On tho 30h ofJune last, the transportation of the
mails covered an extent of 1884 miles. The an
nua transportation the routes, on the same day,
was 50, GA ,269 Understanding an expenditure Of
s2905, 5O4.
The number Of mail contractors on the day above
mentioned was 3,277.
IL is stated, that while the annual Transportation
IN lS45 was greater than in the preceding year by
pa 6i5 miles, the cost has been less by S62 79l.
On the Both Of June, lS45, there were IA ,Is3 post
Offices during the preceding year, 35a were created
and 269 were discontinued.
The revenue of the department for the period
mentioned amounted to 81 ,289 s4l 80; and the ex-
pendtnres for the same time were "a, 32073I 80.
The nett revenue Of the department amounted to
S2,942,2l7 II.
IL is estimated, from data given in the report that
there will be faing-of in the nett revenue to the
amount OF fortyfve per cent; and, under the suppo-
stion that the savings on contracts will not trans
cend the expense Of "new routes" and other medi-
tated improvements, the conclusion is drawn, that
will be lessened 81 ,323,997.
1t is stated, that the cost of transportation in
New York and in the New England States will,
during the present fiscal year, ending in June next,
be reduced $3.50, 1872. This reduction has been ac-
complished by means of the provision of late act
Of Congress, Of which the department has availed
itself.
Great difficulty seems to have occurred in the
making Of contracts with railroad companies. The
companies have, for the most part, been disposed to
exact prices beyond the ''legal right allowed;
and the Postmaster General complains of the large
amounts taken from the revenues of the department
for the payment Of railroads. 1t is alleged that that
mode of transporati has invariably increased the
expenditure, and, in some instances, two or three
hundred per cent OF the entire service to the de-
partment one-tenth part is rendered by railroads;
and yet the companies derive s:ftih of the whole
revenue. The English example of comforting such
privileges il is deemed highly inexpedient for us in
America to follow. The Postmaster General re-
grets in strong language, the resolution of the
Philadelphia and Baltimore Railroad Company not
to convey mail agents over their road. The course
of that company in this respect is stated to be an
exception TO the spirit Of accommodation generally
manifested by other companies. Serious conse-
quenccs to the revenue, it is supposed, may possibly
have resulted from the persistence of this company
in that resolution.
The Postmaster General states that, should
saving similar to that effected in New York and
New England be realized in other parts Of the
country upon the practical introduction of the
"new law" then in the "western section" after
July next reduction in the cost of transportation
the ''souihern section," reduction, in l547, of
1898 900; and inthe middle section, after July,
1913, Of $4,000 per annum. The whole re-
duction al the period last referred to will, upon the
hypothesis affirmed, be 81 ,005, 900 per annum. But
the report states that it may not be safe to infer
corresponding reduction elsewhere to that which
has occurred in New York and New England
The compensation to postmasters and office ex-
penses for the year ending the 30th June last
amounted to Sl,409,s75 Is.
With some exceptions occurring in the large towns
this class ofpublic servants, is affirmed, worse
paid in proportion to the labor encountered than
any other 10 the employment of the government
The late law, in the opinion of the Postmaster Cen
enera aggravated this disparity, in taking away the
frankng privilege, and.by the reduction of salaries
depending as these did for their amount. upon the
amount ofrevenue. The 'new law" operating such
hardship, occasoned the resignation OF 1900 post
masters. But the Postmaster General, presumng
(under the expectation, which was understood by
the friends of the new law, that the revenue would
not be diminished) that Congress did not contem-
plate reduction Of the salaries, continued them as
they had existed.
In view of these facts, it is supposed that in
short time resort to the treasury, for the sup
port of the department, would become indspensa-
BILE: Congress is, therefore, admonished to avoid
that necessity, upon reasons founded in the past
policy of national legislation with regard to the
Post Office Department, and the expediency Of ma
king the Post Office Department support itself
The deficiency for the current year, as calculated
upon the returns for the quarter ending the Both Sep
tember, will be more than million and quarter !;
and it is stated that will not be less than million
next year, without amendment of the existing
law. An increase of the revenue Of the department
is recommended.
The rating Of letters by ueghi, instead Of by the
single Sheet is said to have been productive of very
injurious practices. Under this branch, the Post
master General goes into much detail, showing
through what expedients the just rights of the gov
eminent have been more or less impaired.
The report recommends a continuance of the rates
of postage written communications, subject to
these notifications: That Ave cents pay for each
single letter for fifty miles and under; that ten cents
pay for each letter for any distance between fifty and
three hundred miles, until the 30th June, l64S and
after that time that the ten cents pay for any dis
lance over fifty miles; and that fifteen cents be paid
on each srgle letter for any distance three hum
dred miles, until the 30th June, ls46, when it shall
cease
1t is supposed by the Postmaster General that, if
other suggestions which he makes, of a kindred
character, are adopted, the cheap-postage system
may, after the present year, be continued, without
burdening the treasury.