The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-03

sstipg that a semi-monthly mail service should be
regularly Organized and performed on the Pacific
portion OF that important route. The contractors
o. the route had already so far yielded to the COM
saonally second monthly mail, but for want of
legal authority to make for such ser
vice, its performance had never been properly or
gained. IL was voluntary merely, and only occa-
SIGNAL
The action of the department was urged 10 view
OF the provisions of the recent act OF Congress,
making an appropriation for actual mili service
performed, or 10 be performed, by mail steamers ),
but did not feel at liberty TO make an order which
might divert portion OF that appropriauoa TO the
payment of services not within the contemp alton
Of Congress when the sRsrS1pitnl s was mads
requisite mail facilities, an ARRANGEMENT was IN lde
with the contractor for the monthly mail, by which
the additional service was secured, with the ex-
press understanding and agreement that the order
therefor should create no liability of any kind
against this department or the government that
the service authorized by such order shoald not be
considered in fixing the amount of any comrensa
lion for mail service by oce steamers, for which
any appropriation had been heretofore made by
Congress; and that the order for such service was
subject TO be revoked. If Congress, which alone
the contractor was 10 look for an allowance of pay,
should disapprove OF the same. The assent of the
contractors TO these terms was required and OBJ
tanned as a condition precedent TO the completion
OF such arrangement. IL rem aims for Congress to
adopt such measures, in regird to this subject, as
may be deemed just and exped,ent
The locks and Keys 10 use upon the mails OF the
United States, have now been IA service for many
years, and the experienced officer Of this depart
ment, TO whose charge this branch of the service
has been committed, recommends that the same be
changed. l concur in this recommendation, and
shall ask that sufficient appropri alton for that pur
pose De made ny Congress az the approaching ses-
sion.
The publication of the list Of post offices, and Of
"a new edition of the laws and regulations, for
which an appropri alton vas made at the last SEES
a ~ is a
mas been prepared, and ns printing directed, but
the printing OF tine new edition of the laws and
regulations has not yet been ordered. The delay
has been caustd by the desire To await the action
OF Congress upon the bills affecting this depart
ment, which were reported the last session, and
by the pressure OF business which has hitherto pre-
vented such revision of the regulations as il was
deemed expedient to make before the new edition
The accommodations for the post office of this
city are entirely unsuited TO office Of its impor
lance, and are decidedly dscrrdrable to the de-
partment and the country Some improvements,
lately authorized and now IN progress, will afford
partial ana temporary rehei; but other arrange
cnents Of permanent character should soan be
made. The rooms of this department. also, are
already unreasonaby crowded, and additional
rooms for the officers and clerks Of the department
and of the AUDITORS Office viii soon be absolutely
required. To afford suta bic accommodations for
these, and for the city post Office, il is respectfully
Submitted that the contemplated extension of the
west wing of the General Post Office building
enOufd De autnorized, ana tnat the upper noors In
such wing be assigned to the Auditor and his clerks
and that the first floor he devoted to the use of the
CITY post Office.
The laws regulating the action of this department
and its officers are numerous, were passed at dife
xrnt times, and contain many obsolete and conflict
ing provisions. An entire revision OF these laws,
and the passage of single act containing all the
provisions of law relating 10 this department, would
aid all its officers the dsch arge of their duties,
and give greater ease, accuracy, and despatch to
iss operations Such revision is respectfully sug-
gcsted
In conclusion, | desire to acknowledge my obi
;gafions TO my assistants ami the clerks in the de-
TaYtment for the cheerfulne S. ZEAL and assiduity
with which they have abcred in the discharge of
their respective duties, and TO the recommen
dation Of my predecessors that the Assistant Post
masters General be placed upon the same footing,
In respect TO their compe nsation, the heads of
bureaus in the other departments.
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
To the PRESIDENT.