The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-10

Monday.
In the House of Representatives Mr.. DUN-
CAN announced the death Of his colleague, the
Hon. B. THOMPSON, a member Of the House
from the State of Massachusetts; and, as
mark Of respect, an adjournment succeeded.
Postmaster Generals Report.
On the LIST November 2l,l9l post offices
were in operation in the United States. The
aggregate length of the mail routes at the close
of the fiscal year-30th June-was 2l4, 2o4
miles; the annual cost of transportation 3d.
939, 97l or about 6 ITO cents per mile. The
routes have been increased in the year to the
extent of II 1894 miles, at an annual increase
of cost of $5l8,2l7. .....
OF the six foreign. mail routes, three are
under contract with the Post Office Depart
ment, three with the Navy Department. The
annual cost of the former is 100000; of the
latter, 81 ,496. $50, including the additional
compensation voted to the Collins line. The
conveyance of the mails across the Isthmus of
Panama last year cost % cents per pound.
The gross receipts Of the Department during
the year were $6,925,97l. Of which 1925
1872 were derived from letter postage, $789, 246
from newspapers and periodicals, $l04,3 55
from letter-carriers. From the total must be
deducted the sum payable to the British post
office, amounting to SOL 1888. The receipts,
foreign and domestic, show a decrease of ST.
338, 1884 as compared with those of the previ-
GUS year; attributable to the reduction of rates
k,, 81 oc
this falling off conflicts with the calculations
of the more sanguine advocates of cheap post
age, the Postmaster General reasons against
a return to higher rates. To secure for the
experiment fair trial. however, he urges the
necessity of securing to the Department all
the receipts which the law has assigned for
its support. He refers to the present illegal
practice of transmitting letters by express or
other private conveyance; but states that let
tiers may be 50 sent when enclosed in the
stamped envelopes now in course Of prepare
ton. sa s' t'"
Abiding to the proceedings Of the association
formed in London for the purpose Of promoting
a cheap and uniform system of International
postage, the Postmaster General, while admit
ting the desirableness of the object, regards its
adoption as inexpedient in the imperfect state
of our foreign postal arrangements.
The total expenditures during the year were
81, l18,4 59, of which 81 ,225, 3ll were for the
Of mails, 81 ,296, 765 compen-
sation to postmasters, $456, 1914 extra compen-
sation to the same, $548,9l6 for clerks for
Offices, $lO4,355 for payments to letter-car-
riers.
The current fiscal year are estimated at
$8,745,777, and the receipts at T,4l7, 100;
leaving deficit Of 81, 1927, 1886 to be provided
for by direct appropriation from the treasury.
A larger appropriation will probably bs-neces-
sary. an @
The report draws attention to the extremely.
unsatisfactory performance of the mail service
between New York and Washington; explain
ing that it arises from want of unity on the
part of the railroad companies interested, and
of accommodation on the part of the companies
running between New York and Philadelphia.
The Postmaster General suggests that Con-
gress should consider if it cannot remedy the
evil by the exercise of its power over the es-
Of post roads; and this suggestion,
we are sure, will receive the hearty support Of
the citizens interested in the route. The
manner in which the service has been perform
cd during the past week is as disgraceful as it
is inconvenient. aa9, 'A
Preliminary arrangements have been made
FOR carrying out the intentions of Congress in
regard to providing for daily mail service be-
tween Louisville and Cairo, ST. Louis and
Cairo, Cairo and Memphis, and Memphis and
New Orleans and belief is expressed that
The arrangements when completed will meet
he just demands Of that section of the county.
It is expected that the great through line from
New York to New Orleans will be rendered
more expeditions next year by the completion
If the Wilmington and Manchester railroad.
The failure Of the contractor to fulfil eff
,ient service between Salt Lake city and Sacra-
nento. in California, has led to an arrange
nent with another contractor, who is to es-
ablish and maintain fortified post at Car
sons Valley.
The whole amount of hostages on matter
received and sent by the Collins line Of steam
,rs, during the year, was $22S,S67; by the
New York and Bremen line, $77 ,2l9; by New
York and Havre line, $S0,s04; by Charleston
ind Havana line, $ll 1858. The performances
If the Collins line are spoken Of in terms of
strong commentator. The proprietors of the
Bremen and Havre lines desire increased re-
to enable them to perfossa additional
rips, and to meet the requirements Of the ser
rice by changing the terminus of the route from
Havre to Antwerp. The Postmaster General
llludes to the increasing trade with Germany,
md the immense number of emigrants from
hat country, as reasons for favorably consid-
ring the application. Owing to the recent
POSTAL convention between the United States
md Prussia, the larger part of the continental
European) correspondence, which formerly
vent uid Bremen, is now sent uia London,
)stend, and AK La Chapelle. An advan-
ngeous postal arrangement with Belgium is
France, too, proposes postal