The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-06

two millions Of dead letters annually returned
postage but pays two cents each for sdvertMng and
this Is addition the expense incurred in opening
Of NO Is
pamphlets, and essays of various kinds probably not
less In number than the dead letters sent to the
and remain dead matter in them. From careful
examination it has been ascertained that 81 600
nuay are received and remain as dead matter in the
COCO annually and at Philadelphia about 1900.
If each office averaged but one daily lew estimate
At the rate of cent would be s5s9sO II prepay
men be not required, then dead letters papers, and
pamphlets should be returned to the writer's or pub
fishers and the payment Of double postage we'll
the cost of advertising be required of them But little
Inconvenience would be felt by the public, since the
payment of letters. Their would become ge-
ners IL authority given to sell them at slight
object to and other traders to keep them
hand for the accommodation of the public.
The prepayment Of official commu mic atoms from
the Executive branch Of the government Is now made
by specific appropriation annually. Similar provi-
sion might be made by the legislative branch spe
cihc sum allowed each member to official
muncations to and from them
The pre- payment of maable matter, at the proposed
low rates would not is believed materially diminish
the number ofletters sent In the mails and In
ton with the general of the adhesive stamps will
simplify the Transaction of business In the Offices the
settlement Of their accounts, and concentrate the
funds Of the Department. ct the centre Of business In
Is needed and in agreat degree avoid the hazards In
cident to the collection and transmission Of funds to
the places where they can be made available.
Other suggestions for the improvement of the act of
16l5, have been made in my former reports which
deem 1t unnecessary to repeat.
II may net be inappropriate to remark, that those
connected with administrative duties of this depart
could but have observed that there has been
for years past, strong feeling pervading the
country that the system had been conducted by an
organized corps extending throughout the Union into
every neigh under the ntro of politicians
at the seat Of government, welded with the view OF
promoting party purposes, and party anizatiou,
rather than the business and social interests IL
created to advance that the Offices bestowed as
merit and qualification OF those selected and that
each Presdentia contest is to produce distri-
button Of the offices, and hence embittered political
contests excited q almost every peighborhood de-
morazing in their tendencies and mi uriousy affect
ing the purity Of elections.
Whilst such apprehe nsc are entertained by re-
spectacle portion ofthe community want ofconddence
pure and upright In their conduct shows itself,
seriously nuripg the business of the Offices and bring
ing dscredit the system itself The postoice system
designed for business purposes for the cultivation
Of the social and friendly feelings among the OF
the dere mt sections Of the Union, and should De In
This will give that degree Of confidence In It's agents
necessary to render the most uses TO the people
There does reason why this business and
social agent of the people, should be more connected
with them than the officers Of the courts Of justice
or the accounting officers Of the 1t were
assigned them with view to the Advancement OF
party purposes public opinion would correct the
ev-f the poetofice alike mpt from political
influence and party contests, public confidence would