Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1849-12-08

annual Report Of the Postmaster General -
We publish, to-day, The first annua report OF the Post
master General Collamer-the fr-t of the Congress
sonal % long yarns" to publish in the course
of the week. To every well-infpmed mind, and to
all who DESTROYS of keeping well appraised of the
years history of their country, these documents one
and all; will be read with profit.
The Post Office Report is concise, we|-written,
sensible paper. Mr. Codmcr follows Mr. Cave
johnson in recommending, in modest terms, the in
PRODUCTION OF uniform rate OF postage OF five cents
on each letter. and gives very satisfactory account
of the increased receipts of the department, render
ing such reduction possible. He complains, like
his predecessor, OF the monopoly of Rail Roads, and
the consequent expensive tra slor alton OF the mail
by Rail Road companies complaint which will
last as long as there are chartered companies for
this any other public purpose whatever.
As to the changes in the perSonale of the depart
ment they indicative of the comprehensive re-
forms which have been carried ont during the pre-
sent administration of President Taylor But let us
glance cursoriy at of the interesting facts
stated.
The number of Postmasters appointed within the
year ending June Goth, 1919, 6333-of that
number were 1882 in consequence of designations;
1873 Deaths 2S4 changes OF sites; 2l03 removals; II
expired commissions, not renewed; 26 commissions
renewed; % by becoming Presidential appointments,
in consequence of yielding more than $1,000 per an
mum; 92 offices. The department, it appears,
is in fourishng condition.
The gross revenue for the year ending June 80,
1919. amounted to ~, ,176 %.
The Post Office arrangements organized for
California have not worked successfully so far is
yet known. The postmasters and agents, however,
exerting themselves with diligence and energy.
The laws regulating the Department not well
adapted to that country, the means Of the
Department adequate to the enormous expense at
tending all sorts of labor and service there.
In the last year 2,l00,0 900 dead letters had to be
opened and examined. OF these 1864 contained
SS2069, and 99S had other enclosures of value.
1887, the number of post offices was IL ,767-now
17,164-4l7 having been established since June last.
Number of dead letters in 1887, 900,000--now
4S,OOO-now $4,000. Number of mail contractors
in 1887, 16S2-now 4l90 Length of routes in
1887, 14l 242-now 167,703. Annual mail trans
portation in 1887, 81, 597 ,0O6-now 42,544069.
The number of communcat ions received at the
department annually cannot be less than 10000
The present length of Rail Road routes is 81 IS
miles-an increase of 1l49 within the last two
years. On these the mail is carried 5,749,040 miles
annually.
The foreign mail service, by way of Southampton
and Bremen, has been performed by the Washington
and Hermann, at cost Of 100000 for the past year;
amount of postage accrued for the year ending Oct.
4, Sol MA.
The mail from Charleston to Havana has been
carried by the Isabel, cost S35,0S6.
The route between New York and Chagres,
touching at intermediate ports, has been served
under contract with the Navy Department. Also
the route on the Pacific, the latter, however, not
with efficiency. Better things are hoped from ar
rangements in progress.
history is given of the Sloo contract. The idea
of supporting the system of these mail steamships
out of the Post Office is deprecated ruin
ously hurdensome.
The postage under the reciprocal treaty with
England shows balance annually against this Gov
ernment most of the ocean service being performed
by English steamships.
Efforts to extend the arrangements to France,
through England, have not been successful
But our limits here will not allow of further
view of the Report. We commend it to the careful
perusal OF the public.-.N Y. Express.