The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-11

dred and seventy-eight thousand six hum
dred and seventy-two miles; the annual
transportation thereon forty-six million
five hundred and forty-one thousand four
hundred and twenty-three miles; and the
annual cost of such transportation two
million seven hundred and twenty-four
thousand four hundred and twenty-six
dollars.
The increase of the annual transporta-
ton over that of the preceding year, was
three million nine hundred and ninety-sev-
en- thousand three hundred and fifty-four
miles, and the increase in cost was three
hundred and forty-two thousand four hum
dred and forty dollars.
The number Of post offices in the United
States on the first day of July last was
eighteen thousand four hundred and sew
enteen-being an increase of sixteen hum
dred and seventy during the preceding
year.
The gross revenues of the department
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1850,
amounted to five million five hundred and
fifty-two thousand nine hundred and sew
enty-one dollars and forty-eight cents, in
cluding the annual appropriation Of two
hundred thousand dollars for the franked
matter of the departments, and excluding
the foreign postages collected for and
payable to the British government.
The expenditures for the same period
were five million two hundred and twelve
thousand nine hundred and fifty-three
dollars and forty-three cents-leaving a
balance of revenue over expenditures OF
three hundred and forty thousand and
eighteen dollars and five cents.
I am happy to find that the fiscal condi-
ton of the Department is such as to justify
the Post Master General in recommending
the reduction of our inland letter postage
to three cents the single letter when pre-
paid, and five cents when not prepaid.
He also recommends that the prepaid rate
shall be reduced to two cents, whenever
tho revenues of the Department, after the
reduction, shall exceed its expenditures
by more than five per cent for two con.
secutive years; that the postage upon Cal
ifornia and other letters sent by our ocean
steamers shall be much reduced; and that
the rates of postage on newspapers, PAM
phlets, periodicals, and other printed mat
ter shall be modified, and some reduction
thereon made.
1t cannot be doubted that the proposed
reductions will, for the present, diminish
the revenues of the department. 1t is be-
lieved that the deficiency, after the surplus
already accumulated shall be exhausted
may be almost wholly met either by abol-
ishing the existing privileges of sending
free matter through the mails, or by paying
out of the treasury to the Post Office De.
partment sum equivalent to the postage
of which it is deprived by such privileges
The last is supposed to be the preferable
mode, and will, if not entirely, SO nearly
supply that deficiency as to make any fur.
ther appropriation that may be found ne
cessary so inconsiderable as to form no
obstacle to the proposed reductions.
entertain no doubt of the authority Of
Congress to make appropriations for lead.
ing objects in that class of public works
comprising what are usually called works
of internal improvement. This authority
| suppose to be derived chiefly from the
power of regulating commerce with for.
eign nations and among the States. and
the power of laying and collecting i'm
posts. Where commerce is to be carried
on, and imposts collected, there must be
ports and harbors, as well as wharves and
custom houses. If ships, laden with val.
liable cargoes, approach the shore, or sail
along the coast, light houses are necessary
at suitable points for the protection of life
and property Other facilities and secu.
rites for commerce and navigation are
hardly less important; and those clauses
of the constitution, therefore, to which
have referred, have received, from the or.
igin of the government, liberal and ben
eficial construction. Not only have light
houses, buoys, and beacons, been estab.
lished, and floating lights maintained. but
harbors have been cleared and improved
piers constructed, and even breakwaters
for the safety Of shipping, and sea-walls
to prevent harbors from being filled up
and rendered useless by the action of the
ocean, have been erected at very great
expense. And this construction OF the
constitution appears the more reasonable
from the consideration that if these works
of such evident Importance and utility
are not to be accomplished by Congress
they cannot be accomplished at all. By
the adoption Of the constitution, the sever.
al States voluntarily parted with the power
of collecting duties of imposts in theil
own ports; and it is not to be expected
that they should raise money by internal
taxation, direct or indirect, for the benefit
of that commerce, the revenues derived
from which do not, either in whole or in
part, 60 into their own treasures. MOI
do | perceive any difference between the
power of Congress to make appropriations
for objects of this kind on the ocean and
the power to make appropriations for sim
;lar oh;aotc On loLac and rivoro uh aravo,