The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-03
r E p OR r
POSTMASTER GENERAL.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
November 30th, 1850.

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
November 30th, 1850. !
Sin The number Of mail routes within The
United States at the close of the fiscal year ending
on the 30ih June last, was $500 the aggregate
length of such routes was LIS, or miles and the
number Of contractors employed thereon, 1850.
The annual transportation of the mails on these
routes was 1854, i2S miles, at an annual cost Of
&272l, i26, making the average cost about five
cents and eight ana a half mills per mile.
The increase in the number OF inland mail routes
IL mig the year was go the increase in the length
81 mail routes was ,969 miles aud the annual
transportation OF the year exceeded that OF the pre-
vcls year by 1897 90 miles, at an increased cost
OF s3i2, il0
ing been irregular in its performance, and imper-
feolly reported to the department., has not been EN-
brsced in The foregoing statements.
There were, on the Both of June last, i've foreign
mail routes ct the aggregate length OF l5O'9 miles,
and the annual price Of the transportation thereon
payable by this department, was S2bi JOG; being
an increase Of ss,sli on the cost OF the preceding
year. ...n
ton, as above stated, the expense OF mail messen-
gers, and local and route agents, (Which expense
Is charseable 10 the transportation fund,l and
which, for the last fiscal year. amounted 10 SlUI ,02
being an increase OF 500 on the expenses OF the
mail messengers and local route agents tor the pre-
ceding year
The increase Of our mail service, for the last
fiscal year, over the year preceding, was abou
10 per cent. and the increase IN the total cost
was about IL T. 10 IST cent.
The extent and coat Of such service. for the last
year, its division among the States and territories,
and its comparison with that Of the preceding year,
will more fully sppesr'by the Accompanying report
Of the frst Assistant Postmaster General
The number OF postnasters appointed during the
year ending June 30 1850 was 6,5Is. Ofthat number
1900 were appointed 10 fill vacancies occlsioned b.
designations; Z}3 to I'll vacancies occisioned by
the deceasc OF the previous incumbents; 262 on
change Of the sites OF the offices for which they
were spponed; IL n on the removal OF their pre-
DC cessors; and Wy were appointed on the estab'
lishment Of new offices.
The whole number Of post offices in the United
States Mt the end Of that year, was lS,4l7. There
were 1879 post Offices established, and 309 dscon-
tinued during the year.
The posinias,ers and other agents Of the depart
ment have, with few exceptions, performed their
duties with fidelity and pfomptness, and main
tanned the credit OF the department for efficiency
and ustfulness. -
The failures OF connection which have from time
TO time occurred on some OF the routes, have
caused much Inconvenience and annoyance. lt ~
hoped, however, that the renewed requirement OF
the returns Of weekly and monthly registers OF the
arrivals and departures, by the postmasters al me
enss of each route, which are now regularly made
TO the department, and the efficient action OF the
increased number Of special sgents, will render
these irregularities Less frequent
The gross r. venue Of the Department for the year
ending june 30, 1880, VI. ss5StsIi 49, derived from
fn postage, i.sludns foreign po;is,s s1 a
from nsvs S and pamphlet postage. $685. 2.
Fvfv, 6nSs =. % 20
Prem @iss.ll.s.eu, items sgCiis IS IS
From receipts on account Of dead Letters h'S
ss,sss.ssi 80