The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-20

Generals Report.
We have carefully perused the report OF the
Postmaster General. which we published in
last Tuesdays Herald, and find it contains
vast amount of matter deserving the considera-
ton of Congress, the attention of the people, and
our subscribers
| While Mr.. Cave Johnson furnishes US a state
nent of the great saving that has been effected
within the last year, in the reetting of the con-
tracts in New England and in New York, by
which he says the department has been saved a
sum equal to thirtythree per cent over the expen-
ses tor the previous year, he furnishes us with ap
argument to sustain the position we have 80 often
taken, that in those parts of the country the mail
service has never been so irregular as during the
last year. Seven .eighths OF the innumera-
BILE complaints of our subscribers have come
J from New England and New York; and if MIR.
Johnson claims credit for making this reduction
of the expenses under these circumstances, we
are OF opinion, that one will try to deprive
him of it. 1t is, we think, Of rather dubious
kind Such as it is, however, Mr. Cave Johnson
is welcome to it.
He further states that this reduction has been
made too, while the mail service on those routes
has increased two-fod. That is, that while in
the year previous the mail contractors carried
one half OF the matter they now do, at cost of
thrty-three per cent more than they now re-
ceive, this year they carry twice as much for
thirty-three per cent less. Here we have an ex-
PLANTATION of all the failures that have occurred
during the past year; and we beg our subscribers
to take Mr.. Cave Johnson's statement in this re-
spect, as our excuse for the Herald not reaching
| them.
The Postmaster also says, that so far from les
sening the amount of accommodation which the
mails dispensed, except in reducing the grade
from coach to horse conveyance, whenever re-
quired by the special provision in the new postage
act of lS45, the department has, in the new con-
tracts, increased the frequency and despatch ofthe
mails. Except in reducing the grade from coach
to horse conveyance" II Mr.. Johnson had not
said another word than these, this paragraph of
itself would account for the mail failures in New
York and New England Last year half the
weight Of mail matter was carried on some Of
the routes in coaches this year, double the
amount same route on horseback; now, when
ever heavier mail than usual was to be con-
veyed-more than the mail carrier could con.
vey-is it not probable that he would push on
with what he could take, select the letter bags,
and leave the big newspaper bags behind We
| think it very probable Iadeed, we are convinced
that such things occurred.
There is another part Of this report worthy of
attention. He says:-
The operation of the act Of lSl5 has been favorable
the revenues Of the department, by reduction in the
Of transportation in the sections of the Union
let to contract under IT, The regulation Of the depart
ment which compelled under bidder to take the stock
of old contractor repealed and the contracts were
directed be given the lowest bidder without regard
to the Of transportation other than what was me-
shsmsls These provisions enlarged the sid Of COM
petition for the service and caused reduction in the
cost While the Of the department have been
benefited by these provisions the service has been &C.
casonally greatly impaired The department has been
compelled in many instances to reject the bids Of con-
tractors of established reputation well known to it for
their energy and efficiency we'll ability to perform
the service and accept in lieu Of them new and inexpe
doubtful means, when there but difference Of a
few dollars in their bids The provision of the law in
unknown to the service by viii the bidder proposed
to take the mails with due celebrity certainty and secur
reservipg himself the right any mode OF con-
his interest might requires thus taking from
the department the right to prescribe specific mode OF
In many instances the department raned 10
cept that form Of service especially from old
who had their stock on the road in Of the
great difference that and other bids speci
nc mode conveyance was proposed The esect has
frequent failures to execute contracts as required or TO
put the lines operation according to their propssons
and when put in operation inability in some instances
keep the service and changes and uncertainty 10
the mode of transportation These have produced fail
urss and rregularity in the delivering OF the mails,
causing much complaint in sections Of the coun-
department before new contractors could be OBJ
tanned These evils ssnsbly felt at tue re-.
the section from the seat Of government and the
voidable delay in fending through the mails the &C.
cePtsnces to contractors receiving their replies and
making provision for tie service in the of
failure.
If the act of 1916 is SO loose as it is here repre-
sented to be by the Postmaster General, it is the
most bungling affair ia the shape Of an enact
msnt that we ever read. The bidders for con-
tracts, it appears, bind themselves to carry the
mail with " due CELEBRITY, certainty and security
What is meant by these vague terms What
one man thinks is due celebrity, another might
think was very slow. In this case we suppose
the contractor is the interpreter of the meaning
of the law; and we think it is not saying too much
TO state, that he nterprets due celebrity to be, as
fast as possible, without inconvenience to him.
self"
1t appears the height of absurdity no, to allow
the Postmaster General to prescribe the means
by which the mail shall be carried. If there are
two modes of conveyance over the same mail
route, he certainly should have the privilege, or
indeed it should be his duty, to select the speed.
Ter and reject the slower
We now take our leave of Postmaster Cave
Johnson, and his report. Before doing so, how
ever, while we give him the credit he deserves
for his economy, we must deny that his saving of
80 per cent. has been OF any advantage to the
country.
After the lucid explanation which he has given
of the many failures the last year, our subscribers
will perceive that the reason they did not receive
their papers must be laid at the door of the Hon
| Cave Johnson.
SHCOND - ne
OF NEW YoRK.-The officers of this regiment met
last evening, at their quarters, agreeaby to I" Ge
neral Orders and unanimously elected Major
Patrick Henry Calhoun, of the army, as Colonel,
in place Of Charles Baxter, resigned A commit
tee Of the field and limo officers had previously
waited upon him, and rendered him the nomna-