Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-13

It's ~ STEM cl cfit1tS anu puul5HuitutS
had undergone no change for half cen
! tury until the last session, though its de-
fects have been often and ably pointed
out, and the abolition Of the particular
species of corporeal punishments which
then took place without providing any
substitute, has left the service in state
of Effectiveness which calls for prompt
correction. Wherefore recommend that
the whole subject be revised without de-
lay, and sueh system established for
the enforcement Of discipline as shall be
at once humane and effectuai
The accompanying report Of the Post
Master General presents satisfactory
view Of the operations and condition Of
that department. Al the close Of the
last fiscal year the length of the inland
mailrou'es in the United States, not en-
bracing the service in Oregon and Cali
fornia, I7s, s,672 mics, annual iransporta-
lion thereon, 46,571 ,423 miles, and the
annual cost Of such transportation $2,-
7g4,426 SO. The increase of the annual
transportation over that of the preceding
year was 3,997,35f miles and the IN
crease Of cost was S342, 40 so. The
number of post offices on the Is July
last was l8,4ll, being an, increase Of
1870 during the preceding year. 'fhe
gross revenue Of the department for the
fiscal year ending June 30th,. 1850, O.
mounted TO S5,522, ,57l So, including the
annual appropriation of $40, 900 for the
frankcd matters Of the departments, and
excluding the foreign posiages collected
for and payable to the British Governm't.
The expenditures for the same period
were S5,2l2.953 S5. / am happy to
find that the fiscal condition Of the debt
is such as TO justify the Post Master
General in recommending a reduction of
our inland postage TO three cents, the
single letter. when prepaid, or five cents
when not prepaid. He, also recon-
mends that the prepaid rates shall be re-
duced whenever the revenue Of the
government after the reduction shall ex-
ceed its expenditures by more than Ave
per cent. for two consecutive years, that
postage upon the California letters sent
by our revenue steamers shall be much
reduced--and that the postage on our
newspapers, pamphlets, and other prin-
ted matter shall be modified and some
reduction thereon mades Ii cannot
be doubted that the proposed re-
duction will, for the present, diminish
the revenues of the government. Ii is
believed that the deficiency after the al
ready accumulated surplus shall be ex-
hausied may be almost fully met by
abolishlng the privilege of sending free
matter through the mails, or by paying
out Of the Treasury to the Post Office
sum equivalent to the postage of which
il is deprived by these privileges. The
last is supposed TO be the preferable
mode, and will, if no, entirely so, nearly
supply that deficiency to make any fur
ther appropriation unnecessary. II may
be found so inconsiderable as to form no
obstacle to the reduction.
entertain no doubt of the authority
of Congress 10 make appropriations for
leading objects in that class of public
works, called by the general name OF In
ternal Improvements. This authority
suppose to be derived chiefly from the
mower of regulating commercs will co.
eion nations and anong ,ha S,a,es ara
the power of, levinr and collec,;no ina.
posts When com mevce i - ba carr,ad
on. ard imnosts collected. there INNS, ha
ports and i,arbo,s. = weH as wha re .nd
custom houses. If ships land, laden
with dry goods and hardware, or approach
the shore, or sail along the coast, light
houses are necessary at suitable points
Tor The protection OF life and property.
Other facilities and securities for COM
merce and navigation, not less important
Than those; the clauses of the constitution,
therefore. TO which have referred, have
received from the origin OF the govern
menl liberal aud beneiiciai constructions.
Not only nave light houses, buoys, and
oeacons been established, and floating
lights been maintained' but harbors have
been cleansed and improved, piers con-
|ssructed. and even break-water for the
safety oI cham and sea walls, 70 protect
lharbors from being filled up and render