The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-12


The enterprise in which we now embark, and
Of which this paper il at once the commencemeS l.,
and sample Of the papers that are TO follow, AZ
for its aim no less purpose, than to impart in
struction, in the general and detail, to the Officer
and Agents of the American public, in respect both
and the people at large, acquainted with the organ
xation, decisions and action Of the Executive de-
partments of their Government. There has hith-
erto Teen no vehicle for the regular and proper
communication Of Information of this kind. The
publication of the Laws and the issue of instrur
tons, more or less comprehensive, and al intervals
more OF less extended, have proved wholly made
quate, in the absence Of the construction OF those
Laws, az applied to particular cases, and of details
and Illustrations to make the regulations and in
structions Ineligible. The valuable documents
annually reported TO Congress, are too voluminous
and printed in quantities too small for general
circulation; whilst the debates in Congress and
the commentaries of the press upon their proceed
ings, and the proceedings Of the Executive branch
Of the Government, besides turning mostly upon
general principles, address themselves only 10
party ends, and to matters of national policy3
These publications in their various forms are
highly useful in themselves far they go, and
some Of them Indispensable; but there is much
that do not reach the hands Of all, nor if they did
do they furnish those rules, methods, and exam
pies, for the despatch Of the public business which
can render the discharge of public duty either safe
self, or the department or bureau under which he
acts. We shall make honest effort to supply
this vacuum, and to provide for these necessities
If we succeed in rendering the functions of the
primary Offices more uniform, m thodical and ey
act, shall make the administrative duties Of tho
departments more easy and effective, and thereby
promote the real and substantial interests Of tho
country And this we expect to do, to some ey
tent at east--apart from, and independently to
any party or personal interest or question what
ever.
1t is known to most of those to whom this pa
per will be sent, that the Senior Editor was AUDI
tor of the Post-Of6ce Department until the month
of November last; with by far the larger portion
of both postmasters and contractors, he has had
direct intercourse, in person by letter. He en-
tered the department fourteen years since and for
many years previously, had been, first in the Wsr
Department, ard subsequently in the Treasury
He has therefore had the best opportunities for
understanding the arrangements Of business in all
the departments, and being acquainted with those
who carry it Since his official connection with
the Government ceased, he fatters himself he has
preserved the respect and regard Of most Of the
present incumbents of the departments, and is on
becoming terms of intercourse and civility with
them all. The Junior Editor has been asssiduously
engaged for several years, in studying, by per-
sonal inquiry and examination, the practical and
daily routine and details of the Post-Ofice and
otner branches Of the public business. tits with
this stock Of experience, and these advantages for
reaching the various sources of administrative &C
ton, and for imparting minute and illustrative in
structon and valuable periodical and statistical
information, that we challenge your confidence
and solicit your support and patronage.
We have fixed upon the 18th Of each month as
the day for the publication of paper, SO as to
afford time for obtaining from the departments
all the orders, notices and changes issued, made
by them during the preceding month. Tables #
Post Offices, and compilations of the Laws and
ID hv he POsfO
ment only once in two or three years. 1t is a
matter of inconvenience and complaint, for which
hitherto there has been no remedy, that IN one
month from the time of these issues, there Of
fees in the tables which longer in operation,
and Offices in operation which not IN the tables.
AT this time there are perhaps over three thousand
Offices Of the two descriptions. In like manner |
laws have been passed and regulations established |
since the issue Of the last volume Of regulations
of which many postmasters and others arc wholly |
ignorant. We propose to prevent, for the present,
anv increase Of the evil Of either kind, and from
the time another issue shall be made, our paper |
will furnish the additions, corrections, and modif
cations, made in each month, and by being filed |
and preserved, will afford to postmasters full and
exact information upon both subjects, up to and |
for time being. How much of the present misdi
rection, remaiing, doubt, confusion, error, and |
will be saved by the progressive state
Of full and exact knowledge, for which we hav.
provided, and for which we engage, every intelli
gent postmaster can estimate for himself.
These advantages alone and independently Of all
others, are worth many times the price we charge
for the paper, and will, it is hoped, induce every
who feels just pride in his Office or
patriotic regard for the credit, prosperity, and
efficiency of the whole Post Office system-at once
to subscribe The same considerations apply to
the orders and notices, decisions, and Instructors
Of the War, Navy, Treasury, State, and Interior
departments, and the same course is intended in
respect to them. Notices Of the decisions Of the
Supreme Court, in GASES turning upon question:
of official duty or nationainterest, will find place
in this paper.
TUyHE undersigned, a committee Capitalization, on
u the part Of the Muscogee and Russell Agricu.
tural Society, respectfully invite public attention
to the following prospectus of MONTHLY
JOURNAL, to be published in this city under the
auspices Of the above named association.
The work will be devoted to the interests Of .4g-
rictslture and HORTICULTURE, Domestic and Rural
Economy. Under these several heads will be in
rluded All that concerns the culture of crops the