Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-28
MISCELLANEOUS.
Having published MIR. Cave Johnsou's letter,
we publish Mr. Robinson's reply, so that the pub
lie may see both Sides

we publish Mr.. Robinson's reply so that the pub
lie may see both sides:
To The Editor of the Union:
BROwS'S HorEi., Washington City,
December %, 1917.
Sir In your paper OF yesterday observe mat
the Postmaster Genera makes OF, a strong case
in behalf Of the Department against the steam
boat and railroad companies between Washing
ton and Richmond; but believe that you have
lived long enough 10 know that, more frequently
than otherwise, there are Two sides 10 Case and
that the worse may often appear The better cause,
il an advocate is allowed TO stray from the 1acs
and abandon the record.
The !acls of ;he present case are simply these:
In 1913 there existed, nader Joint resolution of
Congress, q contract between TIE sea nbJat onl-
paDy and the department !JI the transportation q
The mail between Washington and AcquIa cTeeH
a! the raIe OF SO, 1872 per annum lU continue until
isl July, ls47 Al the same time, there being no
contract, and none likely To hc made between he
railroad company aud The department, Mr.. Tyler,
The President, was selected by the partieS 10 ar
bilrate the matter His decision gave the COM
pany the sun Of Sl9 800 (about $3.50 per iniicl
Tor The transportation Of The mails one year be-
tween Acqnia creek and Richmond Al the e1-
pira;ion OF This term say on The lsl July, lS14-
the mail was continued on the route Tor the same
compensation, and as so continued until Isl Ju-
" last when proposals were issued Tor the service
between Washington and Richmoni. Al This let
ting, a bid was made by The railroad company Tor
the entire route tom Washington 10 Richmond,
oi S36 500 per AMMAN; and, although no other
offer came from any quarter, il was rejected by
the dcnar,ment nroa ,,itiun was then mate
nv IN. SANE. romo,ry that a, The lnu.ua, plea.
sue. ol IN p.l;ie, Inc mail Should be conlinuad
on the iru,. for III. COMPENSATION previously
n.h s;nlee slnouuie.! to h. sum 1 :s32 2o2 in
t.. ~, an.,,.n ga, N sum will snow a surplus
bui Il 81 Ogcr what he route OF 1870 miles,
tuea Y l3t mics al 1927 50 per mile, would
aInuuatio ami when surplus Us not sufficient 10
drray the expense Il transporting The mail when
delivered in Washington Alexandria, Freder-
lcks urs. and R,cumon!. This proposition was
likewise rejected by ne Postmas er General who
ins.,ret upoa IN. sun al s. 9S5 less than The
amount n.u l. Uuae: the Impression ,ha. the
oonI,n Of eminent zeal gentlemen. entertained
In common win HI. fist OH e:s ot the .ovcrn-
men, when ,na,nrrly considered ~ ~ pus.mas.
Ter General mi.h, induce hini 10 reconsider his
decision aud an >iuus TO a void the Inconvenience
and disorder which would result 10 the depart
ment by a CONTRARY course, the companies pro-
posed 10 continue the service, and rely on the
Justice OF the department 10 award them lair
compensation.
Finding, the expiration OF one quarter, that
che views ot The Pos master General had under
gone no change, aud unwilling 10 encounter the
expenses mel i"ut TO continuance OF their service
al Inc most expensive season OF The year, when
10 the hazards OF night service on the river wer.
10 be adeddcd the exp enses Of extra train The
railroad portion OF the route, the directors unan
n,ousIy resolved no longer 10 continue the tfaus
pot,alion OF he mail alter l0!h December follow
ing. rnis decision was made known TO ihe Pos,
master General early IN October, hough no tor
nal notice !hereofwas given ill The 26;h tecacsc
The Postmaster General had stated ,ha, notice II
fen or twenty days only was necessary 10 enable
him TO perfect other arrangements.
With what reason, then, can the Postmaster
Gen-rai fud fault with the course OF the compa-
uIes2 He was aware OF their dissatisfaction
with his views of the laws which related 10 their
compensation; and knowing that reliance was
felt upon change oil his opinion, IL was his Duty
when certain 'ha' that opinion would undefs3 no
change, 20 lake such course as seemed 10 him
bssl under The circumstances, ana MOI rely upon
the continuance of service Liable a! any momen
10 disruption. The Impres>i"h haS gone ABROAD
that the companies on ~ fonie exact not only an
Illegal compensation but one siea'iy excee ing
a TAR proportion tor the use III 'GelI route.
In regard TO ihe hfst objection, no lawyer,
whose opinion is worm much, mas YET neeh 'ouha
TO concur with The Postmaster Genera! ~ his con-
struclion OF the laws which relate 10 railroad ana
steamboat compensation LOT man service; dnu' do
regards the latter impression, need only refer any
disin'eresled mind 10 the peculiar ehafaS.erlsucs
OF the steamboat anu ran roo'e between w ashinS-
ton and Richmond, 70 sansiy sucn' .nd. IL 'he
maximum oil me law, 1o nsH NILE FOX uHn *
MORE DAILY MAh> 10 a'.vheu .ue .UnpaH 80
WI. no' lea'le ~ ~: 49, a,nh, - hs
Jus' Ptoporuoho y. 'aei iuCou. "n'0" o"s"' " w
e1Pec'ea sloui the 1oseinlhen' -,
Ia Tue hts' pace, lhe lafses' uaily uad' ~ .ne
oni'eo states 10 'aNeh oo'l ways Use, u. va.
verses county anen One.s oa. hue suPpoi; w
the way Oh 'oal rave vi 'elsnI anu 'nd: ll''.s y.
which IS derived ironl vac MNauio'a, potnon VI
Inc Ioue is ainos' .o.aaJ W ,ii1 ne =,
eessity OF rapid transportation oi Inc man. IL