The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-23
Ffon The Phladsphs Argus
Postms ster General Campbelps Report.

The plan practical manner IN which Postmaster Gen.
era Campbell has treated the matter introduced into bis
annual report leaves Tor comment or criticism
That he eyinces honest intention TO the public
interest the besl manner and that he has aboed most
and zeaIousy TO accomplish that object.
one will deny who reads the report ON The Post Once
Department which has enlanatad from his pen II is
truly and enelya business document and all the facts
are presented in exactly that simple concise manner
which will make them easily understood by the great
mass of the people to whom the information is 80 inter-
esting aud valuable The Post Office Department is
senaIly working post, and no man who does not pos
the indomilable industry and energy OF Mr. Camp
bell could have acquired such thorough and intimate
knowledge OF al ts deals. been enabled TO make
many important suggestions with reference 10 Ills i'm.
pro oyemenls, in so short a space oil time.
AS The report itself gives fall statement OF the sats
ca intorma ion in relation 10 the mail services OF the
department. we shall confne our remarks 10 iew Of the
Suggestions made BY Mr. Campbell IN reference 10 In
cyeasng the usefulness aud efficiency OF the department
in the future The Postmaster General alludes 10 the
present system OF examining and checking the accounts
If postnas,ers the general Office at Washington aGd
saws .thas system little calculated to protect and
secure the public revenue" As at present practsei
der the law, affords no sure means to aseertan whether
the different poslmasers charge themselves with all the
maabe matter sent through their oces not This is
an evil which Mr. Campbell says "should not be per-
mtted TO continue any longer than The proper remedy
can be devised and legally applied"
The Postmaster General audes to the act OF 1885, re-
dacing the rate OF postage, and remarks: The gross
from letter postage fell oil IN the year 1916, The
first year OF the reaucion S958 7SS 92 or 81 cent
but in the second year. ending June 30 lS47 the letter
postage increased 363 $50 49, or 10 35hs per cent
s46 In the year ending June 80. 1884, the FIRST after
the reduction OF 1881 the gross amount OF revenue from
letter postage reduced ST. 1855 993 10, or 22a per
cent; but in the following year ending the 30,h june
1861 the increase OF from the same source
only S25l TAT 6S, or lilo per cents Increase very
little beyond what is due to the yearly increase In the
population OF the country" The failure OF the revenue
from letter postage to recover during period OF almos
uex ampled prosperity and commercial activity with the
rapGy under The ac OF 1851 as II did under the act
of s45 may be accounted for upon the suppositon that
the latter had already stimulated The correspondence
of the country nearly the highest point OF which
capable and that therefore, the act OF 1851 Afforded bur
little further inducement 10 use the mails The fair
way to account for The fact that the Post Once Depart
ty of heavy matter that passes through the mall upon
which mere ,liflng postage is charged, while It's bulk
contracts for the transmission OF the mails the
rous routes Let look the fully in the face.
that the cheap postage etlers may not be the
goat which the whole fault OF deficit In the Fos
Office Department is 10 be laid.
There is one suggestion in the report OF Mr. Campbell
which the whole country will cordially second-that
proposing that postage should aicoys be paid in advance
this plan adopted, il would be vast saving 10 the
department n the item OF simplifying its accounts while
at the same time, it would improve the efficiency OF The
service and make it in its opefations. This
s matter tha, demands the early and favorable attention
OF Congress; and we hope the Postmaster General will
press il upon thai body, with view to The enactment oil
| such law during the present session.
The question OF providing suitable buildings in the
large cities for the accommodation OF the post Offices also
forms an item in this report ol Mr. Campbell lie says
sthat much difficulty is experienced in finding suitable
rooms especially for distributing post oices IN the larger
cities The amount for rent which can be taken out
OF the commissions, an many cases. ~ not snhcien
10 enable postmas,ers 10 secure buildings al all fitted
Tor the proper discharge OF the business of their otces
In order the better the public, pos, Offices must
be located in The business parts OF the different Cities
where nigh rents TO be paid and these the depart
ment is very frequently Enable to allow. II Congress
would deem il wise expedent TO appropriate moneys
to enaois he department 70 Ouy or erect suitable places
for pos oBces In the larger cities OF the Union, much
would be saved TO the Department. and suitable places
could be permanently secure1 and The pablIc thereby
much better accommodated" The wisdom aud econ
omy of such that proposed BY The Postmaster
General cannot for moment be doubted. The value
of time wasted in the post office at Philadelphia alone,
from the want OF propet accommoda atoms for the mail
service would amount 10 no email Item IN the course
of year All this oe remeded IN the way mat ~
suggested by Mr.. Campbell and we sincerely hope that
Congress will make such an appropriation az Wall meet
| the wants OF the post Office a, this place
But the whole report be found IN our columns To-
dsy and we ask for IL attentive perusal. II affords
iu view OF the posa arrangements 0, the coualfy, ar
ranged in such a methodcal TO make them IN
iegfb 10 all No material poiot overlooked, no ia
formation that 10 at all important neglected When facts
are necessary they are plainly stalled when suggestions
are thought necessary they perinenty and suecincty
ret forth We satisfied that the Post Obce Depart
mrn OF tha government could have been conbded 10
more honest. able, apd Intelligent bead than bf Camp.
BELL and OF this fact the comauni,y will be satisfied
when they shall have read, a their leisure, hs hfs an
nual report 10 The two houses OF Congress.
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