The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-03

on the Pacific portion OF that important route The
tractors on the route bad already 50 far yielded 70 the
complaints and wants OF the public as 10 take occa.
sionaly second monthly mail. but for want oi legal
authority TO make compensation Tor such service, s per-
iormance had never been properly organized Il was
voluntary merely and only occasional
The action OF the department was urged in view OF the
provisions OF the recent act OF Congress making appro
prlaton Tor actual mail service performed, or to be per-
formed, By mail but did not feel at liberty to
make an order which might divert portion OF that sppro
pranon to the payment OF services not within the contem
Anxious, however to afford TO the State the requisite
mat facilues, an arrangement was made with the
tractor Tor the monthly mall by which the additional
vice was secured, with the express understanding and
agreement that the order therefor should create no liability
OF any kind against this department, the government
that the service authorized by such order should not be
considered in liking the amount OF any compensation for
mail service by steamers Tor which any appropra
lion had been heretofore made by Congress- and that the
order for such service subject to be revoked il Con-
gress, which alone the contractor 10 look for
allowance OF pay, should disapprove OF the same. The
assent OF the contractors TO these terms was required and
obtained as condition precedent TO the completion oil
such arrangement II remains Tor Congress TO adopt such
measures in regard to this subject as may be deemed Just
and eXpeden #a .t.e eN f. IN
The locks and keys in use upon the mails Of the United
States have now been IN service for many years. and the
experienced officer of this department, TO WHOSE charge
this branch OF the service has been committed recon-
mends that the be changed. concur in this rec
concentration, and shall ask that's sufficient appropriation
tor that purpose be made by Congress at the approaching
session. spt II .s II stsv3 1
The publication of the list OF post Offices and OF new
edition OF the laws and regulations, for which appro
praon made at the last session. has not been CON-
peted. The list of Offices has been prepared and its
printing directed @but the printing OF the new edition OF
the laws and regulations has not yet been ordered The
delay has been caused by the desire TO await the action OF
Congress upon the bills affecting this department which
reported at the last session. and by The pressure OF
business which has hitherto prevented such revision Of
the regulations it deemed expedient 10 make be-
fore the new edition ordered. tis W15a
The accommodations for the post office OF this city are
entirely unsuited to an office OF its Importance and
are decidedly discredtabe the department and the
country. Some Improvements, lately authorized and now
in progress, will afford partial and temporary relle but
other arrangements o permanent character should soon
be made The OF this department. also, already
unTeasonabH crowded, and additional Iooms for the OIL
cers and clerks OF the department. and OF the Auditors
Office. will be absolutely required To afford suita
BILE accommodations for these and for the city post oce,
is respectfully submitted that the contemplated extension
OF the west wing OF the General Post Office building
should be authorized and that the upper floors in such
wing be assigned 10 the Auditor and his clerks and that
the first floor be devoted 10 the OF the city post oce
The laws regulating the action OF this department and
its officers numerous, passed at different times.
and contain many obsolete and conflicting provisions.
An entire revision of these laws and the passage OF
single containing all the provisions o law relating to
this department. would aid all its officers the discharge
of their duties and give greater ease, accuracy and des
patch to lis operations Such revision is respectfully
suggested. .,,s..s.
Ia conclusion desire to acknowledge my obligations
my assistants and the clerks in the department Tor the
cheerulness, zeal and assduity with which they have
abored in the discharge OF their respective duties and 10
renew the of my predecessors that the
Assistant Posmasters General be placed upon the
footing in respect 10 their compensation, as the heads OF
bureaus in the other departments x,s...., q,
To the President. ail