The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-12-12


OF part OF such free matter. to sum equal
! 10 the revenues that would be derived there
oil, IL all Tree matter were charged with post
age.
n The continuance OF the ranking privilege
"a privilege which may be properly consd-
cred as the privilege of the constituent rather
than OF the representative-may be dctaied
by an enlightened pubic policy and required
by the public interests; and The same may be
said OF The privilege possessed by newspaper
proprieiors OF sending and receiving exchange
newspapers free OF postage. But If these
privileges are continued. il is respectfully sub
mitted that Ibis Department should be paid
for the conveyance of The matter sent Tree IN
der them. by an appropriation from the pub
he Treasury. rather than by Il lax on The
/ private correspondence d the country If IA
sum equal to the postage which would he
charged on all free matter. were il charoca-
BILE with postage. Should be annually appro-
priaied and paid 10 this Department, it is be-
lived that such appropriation and the accu-
INFLATED surplus revenue would enable the
Department 10 sustain ITSELF Notwithstanding
the proposed reduction. or that the appfopri-
alton required would be so inconsiierabe as
TO interpose no serious obstacle TO the adop-
/ ton oil tie measures now recommended.
! In case reduction Of postagr shall be made
IL is suggested that it should only take effect
/ FROM and alter the 30th OF June next that it
may 90 il,to operation at the commencement
of The next fiscal year. This is desirabe Cor
the purpose of er;thiiny the department 10
present the fiscal results of the reduction with
clearEess and accuracy in future reports. and
also Tor The purpose of giving time 10 prepare
The forms. Instructions and blanks. which will
he necessary in consequence Of the change in
the rates f postage.
| Any reduction in postage IS likely 10 in
Grease the labor, ana reduce for time ct least
The compensation OF the several posrinaslers
IL IS therefore recommended that power be
z ven 10 the Postmaster General To Increase
the rates OF commission at the smaller Offices.
50 as Ia insure the services of competent and
faithful officers.
The term newspaper IS not so fully defined
by the cXis'iig laws upon that subject. as 10
enable the Department 10 dette without EN-
GlTrassii3ent and difficulty. whether par;ic-
uldr pero heal Is or IS not 10 be deemed a
news2lper; aud though various decisions in
particular cases have at different times been
made IN tie Department. they have not rciev-
ed tie question from cmbarr ssment
There was Il lnlnilcSt incougruiiy in the
laws establishing tie California steamship
lines, in providing for conveyance OF the
mails twice montl! from New York, New
Orleans, DC. 10 Chugres, and conveyance Of
tue same ONLY once month lrom Panama
north along the Pacific coast.
Soon after the close of the last session Of
Congress, any attention was called to tiis sub
ret by Il memorial from The Representatives
IA Congress from The State of California and
Territory OF Oregon, insisting that a semi
monthly mail service should be regularly or
ganiZcd and performed on the Pacific portion
OF that important route. The contractors on
the route had already SD far yielded to the
cOmplailis and wants of the public, as 10 take
occasionally second monthly mail, but for
want OF lega! authority TO nuke compensation
Tor such service, ais performance had never
been properly organiZej. II was voluntary
merely. and only occasional.
The action OF the Department was urged
10 view OF the provision Of the recent acl oil
congress, making an appropriation for actual
maui seFIWc Fer ormcd. or 10 be performer,
by Mai! steamers. bat did no, feel at liberty
IN make an order which mig.it divert a por-
i.2n oil tha, appropriation 10 the payment OF
- Ir't witan the Contemplation OF Con-
:he appropriation Was made.
\ however, to afford 10 Tie new
Il
mcnt was made. with The contractor Tor The
monthly mul, by which the additional ser
,icc was secured,with the express understand
Ing anu agreement that the order therefor
should create 40 liability OF any kind against
tbs Department or the Government; that |
The service authorised hy such order should
not bc considered IN liXlug The amount OF any
compensation Tor mail scrvic, by ocean steam
ers. for which any appropriation had been
heretofore made by Congress; and that the /
order Tor such service WIS sunIect to tie re- !
voked, 81 Congress, TO which alone The con- |
tractor was 10 !oak for an allowance 10 pay. !
should disapprOve Of tie same. Tie assent /
~ tie couirdci"rs 10 these terms was required /
aud ohtai;lcd aS IL condition precedent 10 he |
cnElPlciion oil such arrangement. IL remains I
Tor COnyr IS 10 adopt such measures IN re
gard 10 tbs SUBJECT as may be deemed just /
ana cxpedient.
The locks All keys in use upon the mails
o! the UNI, Il States have now been in ser
wee inr many years, and TIE experienced I
oihccr o! tins Department. 10 whose charge |
'hiS branch OF The service has been COMMIT
ted, recommends that The same be changed /
concur III tins recommendation. and shat! |
asa that I. sufficient appropriation for that
purpose be made by Congress ut the ap-
preaching session.
The publication Of the list of post Offices
ami OF Il new edition of The laws aud rcIuli-
iions, dos which an appropriation was urade
al the last session has not been completed. 4
Tie ist Of olces has been prepared, and
ATS printing directed, bat the nrinline. of the /
new e'litiO OF Tie laws aud regulations las
hot YET bren ordered. Tie delay has been
c.iusrd by the desire TO await the action q:
CoAgiess upon The bills affecting this Depart
meni. which wrre reported al the last session,
ana by tie pressure of business Which has [
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