Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-16

If the proposed reductions are to be made and the Depart
men required sustain ITSELF it is indispensable that the
ankng privilege should be abolished II is greater and
extensively used than at any former PERIOD and the
privilege Is enlarged tie abuses under it increase.
The immense of free matter through the mails
necessarily REQUIRES higher and expensive grade Of
service enable the contractors to transport it. not UNI
usual for coach service to be demanded routes yielding
comparatively nothing for the transportation Of public docu-
and other free matter Over one route double daily
line of our-horse post coaches has become Indispensable
Some estimate may be formed Of the additional expense Of
transportation from the fact reported from the City Post Of
fee that seven days. from the 9th until the 18th day of
August last inclusive 450 bags Of free NATTER weighing
lbs averaging daily five thousand and sesentyeght
pounds passed through his office. Upon inquiry, it ap-
that between the LIST day Of December and the LIST day
gress through the mails about five millions of copies Of
speeches and other natter weighing under and
about hundred and sevenyseven thousand public docu
ment besides the letters written by the members OF the
House of Representatives and there remained to be forward
ed than oneh Of the public documents ordered to be
printed at the last session.
Such Of matter thrown upon the mails must neces
say add to the cost Of transportation, retad the progress OF
the mails and produce great proportion Of the failures that
made on The unimproved routes in the newer sections OF
Bas his j, not ali. The Depar,meut X compelled 10 pay
the whose compensation does not exceed
per annum two for the delivery Of each free letter
document.
large proportion Of the documents and papers thus
free are it believed seldom read and, read but of little
public interest," and than useless, nasmuch the
ecse of the privilege the extent pracsed, tends 70
prevent if does materially interfere with the circulation
Of the village newspapers in their respective localities This
subject has been so orcby presented the House in the
port the Committee the Post Office and Post Roads at
the las, session. and several other reports previous to that
me that it is deemed necessary to enlarge upon at
this time.
Whether the suggestions for the modification Of the act of
ls45 be adopted or not all the mails should
be prepaid. This might indemnify the Department for the
great sustained for the transmission Of letters not taken
from the Offices Near millions Of dead letters
nualy returned to the Department. upon which IT not only
the postage but pays two cents each for Advertising
and this is in addition to the expense incurred in opening and
returning those Of value TO the writer's and destroying those
Of no value Newspapers, periodicals, pamphlets and essays
of kinds probably not less in number than the dead
letters sent to the offices and called for or, call
ed tor refused and remain dead matter in them From
careful examination it has been asceaned that 81 600
nuay are received and remain dead matter in the Office ut
New York Boston and Baltimore about $1,000 annualy
and at Philadelphia about $500.
II each Office averaged bat daly-a low estimaethe
whole number in year would be 0s5, which, at the
rate cent would be SIS, $780, If prepayment be
required then dead letters papers, and pamphlets should be
to the writers publishers and the payment Of dou
BILE posages well the cost OF advertising be required OF
them. But little inconvenience would be felt by the public
since the adoption of adhesive stamps the evidence Of
payment of letters Their would become general
authority given to sell them at slight per cent dis
the Department. SO to make an object 10 sta
and other traders keep them hand for the accom-
mediation of the public.
The prepayment Of official communications from the
cutve branch Of the Government is made by specific
appropriation annually. Similar provision might be made for
the legislative branch specific sum allowed each MEM
Der to cover official communications to and from them
The prepayment Of malabe matter at the proposed low
would not, il is believed materially diminish the
Der Of letters sent in the mails and, connection with the
general of the adhesive stamps will simplify the trans
action of business in the offices, the settlement OF their ac
counts and concentrate the funds Of the Department at the
H.. nf ha
the money needed and in great degree avoid the hazards
incident to the collection and transmission Of funds 10 the
places where they can be made available.
Other suggestions for the improvement Of the act OF ls45
have been made in my former reports which deem IL unne
/ cessary 10 repeat.
1t may be inappropriate TO remark that those connected
with administrative duties Of this Department could not but
have observed that there has BEEN for past strong
feeling pervadng the country that the system had been
Quoted by organized corps extending throughout the Union
every neghboood under the control Of politicians at the
Of Government welded with the view Of promoting par
y purposes and party organization, rather than the business
and social interests il created advance that the offices
bestowed the reward Of partisan services rather than
from the merit and qualifications Of those selected and that
each Presidential contest is produce new distribution Of the
offices and hence embered political contests are excited IN
almost every neighboorhood, demoazng in their tendencies
and injuousy affecting the purity Of elections Whilst such
apprehensions entertained by respectable poron OF tho
community want Of confidence in the honesty and correct
nes the officers however pure and upright in their conduct
shows ITSELF seriously nurng the business OF the offices
and bringing discredit The system itself.
The post Office system designed oI business purposes,
for the cultivation Of the social and friendly feelings among
citizens Of the different sections Of the Union and Should be
in nowise connected with the party politics Of the day This
viii give that degree Of confidence in its agents necessary to
render the useful the people There does not seem
any why this business and social agent Of the people
should he more connected with them than the officers Of the
courts Of Justice or the accounting officers Of the Government
believed that the latter officers performed the duties
assigned them with view to the advancement OF party pur-
poses public opinion would correct the evil If the post
Office were alike exempt from pocan and party con-
tests public confidence would be maintained, and the best
interests Of the system promoted.
II may be well worthy Of consideration, If these objects
would not be advanced should the Postmaster General be
nominated by the President the Senate for specific term
of years. separated from the Cabinet and only removable
by impeachment and the appointment Of the principal subor-
dinste officers for like term OF years be given 10 him and to
provide that removal should be made except for good and
sufficient cause be reported each session Of the Senate
am respectfully, your obedient servant,
CAVE JOHNSON.
D. w. MAURY CO., Managers.