The Evansville daily journal., 1850-12-11
Report OF the Postmaster General
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Nnvemhpr On 1870


SrR-The number ofmail routes within the
United States, at the close of the fiscal year
ending on the Both Of June last was $3.50; /;
the aggregate length ofsuch routes was 17s.-
072 miles; and The number Of contractors en-
ployed thereon AGO.
The annual transportation OF the mails on
these routes was 46, 45l ,423 miles; at an an
nual cost of S2.724 ,426, making the average
cost about five cents and eight and hall
mills per mile.
| The increase in the number of Inland mail
routes during the year was $40; the increase
| in the length Of mail routes was TO- 960 miles;
and the annual transportation of the year ex-
cecded that of the previous year by 3,997, ,35i
miles at an increased cost OF 1912 440.
The mail service in California and Oregon.
having been irregular IN its performance, and
imperiectly reported 10 the Department, has
not been embraced in the foregoing state
mcnts.
There were on the 30h OF June last, five
foreign mail routes Of tho aggregate length oi
1903 miles, and the annual price of tie
transportation thereon payable by this De-
partment was S264 sos; being an int rease oi
s. SID on the cost OF the preceding year. =
There should be added to the cost Of ir9ns-
portation. as above stated. the expense OF mail
messengers and local and rou.e agents (Which
expense is chargeabIe to the transportation
fund.- and which for the last fiscal year
amounted to $107, ,042; bring an increase OF
; S45 529 OH the expenses of the mail messen.
gers, and local route agents, for the preceding
year.
The increase OF our mail service for the las;
fiscal year. over the year preceding, WAS about
9 4-l0 per cent. and the increase in the total
cost was about IL 40.
The extent and cost Of such service for The
las, year, its division among the States and
Territories, and its comparison with that OF
the preceding year. will more fully appear by
the accompanying Report OF The First ASSIST
ant Postmaster General.
The number OF Posjmastcrs appointed du-
ring the year ending June 80, 1850, was g sis
OF ti.at number 600 were appointed To till
vacancies occasioned by designations; 233 TO
ii! vacancies occa'ioned by the dccease Of the
previous incumbenis; 262 on change of the
|, Offices for which they were appointed 1lli
on the removal oil their predecessors and l :
979 were appointed Oh the establishment OF
new Offices.
The whole number Of post Offices in the
UnIted States at the erd oi that year was l6.-
All. There were 1879 post offices establish.
ed, and 500 discontinued during the year.
The postmasters and other agents Of ths
Departments have, with few exceptions. per
formed their duties with fidelity and prompt
ness. and maintained the credit OF the Depart
;nent for efficiency aud usefulness.
:. The failures Of connection which have from
4 time 10 time occurred OH some oi the routes
a have caused much Inconvenience and annoy
; ance. 1t is hoped, however, that the renew
) ed requirement Of the returns oil weekly ant
e monthly registers Of the arrivals and depart
i ures. by the 2ostmasters, at The ends OF cacl
i route. which are pow regularly made TO tn
;. Department, anI the efficient action of tn
if increased number OF special agents, will ren
v der these Irregularities lees frequent.
: The gross revenue Of the Department 10
: the year ending June 80, 1850, was s., ,552, 81
d IS, derived from the following sources: 49,
n From letter postage, inc luding
: foreign postage and stamps
n sold, 81 i516,66S s.
y postage, 9l94S5 9
r, From fines. 3S O
e From miscellaneous items, 30lS
y letters, LIS 4
ID S5.499:9S4
It From the appropriation made
C by the 18Th section of the act
le OF 81 March, l647. for the
IS iranked matter oil the depart
/ ments, 100000 o