The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-28

in that. country. This subject requires the early
attention of Congress and at the same time provi-
sion should be made for extending mails TO Oregon
and New Mexico.
OPERATIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT,
AS our country expands in dimensions, and our
settlements extend in area; population in
creases in density, and business in activity the SER
vice of the mail must have a corresponding adj
vancement; and il follows unavoidably that the
business and labor within the Department are every
year rapidly augmenting, demanding from time
TO time addition OF force for their performance.
In 1886 the Department was recognized, and by
law much less number of clerks provided tor than
had heretofore been used. In putting that organi-
cation in operation, it Immediately found i'm
practicable to proceed with such reduced force
only and temporary clerks to the number of eight
We're employed in 1887. These were continued by
temporary appropriations until 1912, when by law
they became permanent; but no provision has been
made for any additional clerks since 1887. Such,
in the mean time, has been the progress of the
vice, and such the increase of business, that the
pressure on the clerks has become so great and de-
lays SO unavoidable, absolutely TO require now
additional force the public service must suffer.
The pressure is all the bureaus Of the Depart
ment. In the Contract Office, where the care and
arrangement of the mail service is extending in
daily demand, and where the extent of correspond
ence is permanently the greatest. In the Appoint
inent Office business increases with the increase of
the number of offices. In the Financial Bureau,
under the Third Assistant, the labor is much in
Letter Office, and the receipt and charge of the
quarterly returns.
In the last year there received 900 dead
letters, all of which have been opened and ex-
arnined. OF these, 1864, containing money to the
amount of s 32,067, have been registered and the
same sent out for delivery to the owners, and 99S
letters containing other enclosures Of value. The
Inspection Office whose duties include all matters
relating to the performance or failure of mail ser
vice, all depredaons the mail and also the sup
ply of mail bags, locks and keys, is branch in
creasing in direct ratio with the general service
In this Office alone, during the past year, there
received 4,436 communications. The number Of
supposed depredations reported was ,226. which
were supposed to include $l69, l07. Twenty nine
depredators were arrested, and the amount OF mo-
ney reclaimed or otherwise accounted for was
$17,779.
To show the great increase of service and the
consequent demand for the increase of force in the
Department. the following comparative statement
is made.
IN 1897 the number of post offices ,767, now
II ,l64-four hundred and seventeen having been
established since June last
No. of dead letters in 1897, 900 900, now 2l0OO 900
No. of quarterly returns &c $4,000, 10000
No. of mail contractors " 1852, now 4l9O
Length of routes &c l4l ,242 m, {. l67 FOB
An mail Transportation 80, 597 ,O06 m "42 544 069
The number of communications received at the
Department annually cannot be less than 100000
To perform this service the present force is mad
equate, and it has been found absolutely necessary
to employ temporary clerk service, compensation
for which should be made, and which necessity it
is hoped will be prevented by some permanent pro-
vision for supply, that the public service may not
suffer.
AUDITOR.
most important branch of the Post Office De-
partment is, by the organization of 1896, committed
to the Auditor; not only that OF auditing all claims
for service, but particularly that of keeping
the accounts and collecting all moneys derived from
hostages otherwise.
The manner in which this has been performed
appears by his report hereto annexed, satisfac
tory evidence well of the efficiency of the system
of energy and success in its execution.
have the honor to be, with great respect, your
obedient servant j. COLLAMER,
Postmaster General.
To the PRESIDENT Of the United States.