The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-07

basement cellar OF The main building, where they
exposed to mdew and gradual destruction They should
be exposed for the loss of the papers OF the de-
par,ment and especially OF the Auditor would be pub
lie calamity. and would be irreparabe respectfully
ask that II be earnestly and urgently recommended TO
Congress TO take immediate and eheciua measures Tor
the extension OF the west wing OF The present Posl
Office Building or Ter the erection OF ITS north front, as
originally contemplated
entirely unsuitable and insufficient Situated al the seat
of the national government and appropriated chiefly TO
the correspondence OF lis various departments is con-
nually visited by the representatives OF foreign govern
menls and strangers from every part OF the world Its
present condition only unsafe but decidedly dis
crsdtable TO this department and The country Some i'm
made during the last fiscal year have afforded
partial and Temporary relief from the evils before expe
nnced for want OF room but other arrangements OF a
crediabe and character should soon Dc made
In my last annual report also recommended that the
laws for the government OF the department and lis officers
which and complicated have been enacted
different periods and contain many obsolete and con
icng provisions, should be revised An entire revision
Of these laws and the passage OF single act containing
all The provisions Of law relating this department and
Ills officers, would give greater efficiency TO its operations
Such revision is again respectfully recommended
again renew the Recommendation that the Assistant
Posmasters General be placed upon the footing in
respect TO salary the heads of bureaus in other de-
partmens. cannot but regard the invidious dscIim
nation now made between these oficerswhose duties
certainly require equal capacity, and whose labors
admitted to exceed those Of officers OF like grade other
Dependencies ncongruous and detrimental to the in
erests OF the department
The increased business of this department consequent
upon the rapid growth Of the country and the extension
OF its correspondence, made necessary in 1S46 10 assign
to the chief clerk OF the department The duties appropriate
10 the head OF bureau. These duties have since been
greatly increased and il is submitted that he should have
The official designation and salary corresponding with his
duties To besow them now would be to render but
justice TO able and faithful officer, who has served the
department long and well.
The foreign desk OF the department has become one of
great Importance, requiring than ordinary capacity
and labor for The discharge of its duties 1t is respect
fully suggested that authority should be given increase
the compensation of the officer performing them TO tina
of principal clerk, by adding $500 10 his present
salary
The annexed reports from my First and Third Assist
ants will present useful and interesting details of the bust
ness Of their respective bureaus; well as show the
necessity for small increase OF the clerical force OF the
department. Believing that such increase is required for
the despatch OF the business of the department with
promptness and accuracy recommend the increase which
these reports suggest
In conclusion, desire again 10 acknowledge my ob
cations to the Assistant PostmaseIs General and the
clerks OF the department for the zeal and assduity mani
tested by them the discharge OF their laborous duties
and especially for the cheerful willingness with which
many of them have when necessary for the despatch of
the business OF the department. aboTed beyond the usual
office hours and in the discharge of duties not pertaining
to the desks 10 which they had been assigned
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General
To the PRESIDENT