The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-30

q HI !
This statement makes il clear that galvanic energy
seized the establishment under Us new control s re-
cepts having up the fifteen years than
halt million ot dollars and IT'S expenditures To nearly
much The entire results 10 the present show de.
veopnent which the eminent forecast of Frank lin prob
ably anticipated Should i,s operations continue
to enlarge 10 like ratio during the fifty years, how
Immense will be its ramihcatons how stupendous It's
blessings the teeming millions destined to inhabt our
wide spread borders al the opening OF the coming
tury! .a #a4Ea as gH aaga2te-ta1 si ,Asa 4at4 ga
The mails have increased correspondence Fifty years
ago but few pounds OF sent in the largest
mails; and only thirty years back the boot OF four
horse coach would hold the heaviest outgoing mail al
the city OF New York, whereas present several tons
OF mail matter leave that place daily for each OF the car
dina points OF the compass. Probably more than one
hundred millions Of letters and over hundred and
thirty millions OF newspapers and pamphlets, pass
through the United States post Offices annually The free
matter of Congress and the executive departments
and received through the Washington city post Office
three years ago, doubtless much greater now esti
mated by lis postmaster at six hundred tons per annum,
the income from which, il taxable with postage even al
the present low rates. would have been $s92 300 The
quarterly returns OF posmastes received at the depart
nent alone amount to one thousand bushels in year
Few striking occurrences recorded in the annals OF
the infant establishment during the official terms of
Messrs. Pickering, Habersham, and Gideon Granger,
which lasted from 1871 to lsl4. Tha, they talented
men 10 made apparent by their reports to Congress The
postal laws underwear, number Of important revsions
at their suggestions; and the above table shows that the
mail service was vastly extended during the period The
last mentioned gentleman, in report made to Congress
IN 1870 compacently stated that great increase OF
pedon had been gwen 10 the mails in the previous
eleven years. He illustrated this by the following coE
paralive statement OF the times required al the two Pc
riods to despatch letters and get answers
Portland TO Savannah, and back, in $780, forty days
in 1910, twenty seven.
Philadelphia TO Lexington, KY, and back, 1899,
thirty two days; in 1910, sixteen.
Philadelphia TO Nashville, and back, in 1899, forty
four days; in lslO, thirty
New York to Canandagua, and back in 1909, twenty
The present schedule tme--ihanks the inventors Of
seamboa,s and railrosds-sands lhus
Portland TO Savannah, and back, nine days.
Philadelphia TO Lexington, and back seven days.
Philadephia 10 Nashville, and back, eight days. p
New York TO Canandaxus, and back, one day.
In the early part of the same year Mr. g. complained
to Congress that he ~as camped for Office room The
building known " The Hotel" situated the site of
the present establishment was therefore, purchased for
its use, al cost of $40 000fatber psgnihcant
conirasted with the expense of the splendid structure
cup,ed by the Office Is4i $500 600 In "The Hoelr
building alluded TO were crowded also the city post otce
and the Patent Office n#l III.
In 1915 fifty per cent increase made by direction
OF Congress- IN the postage rates. 10 aid 0 deraying the
expenses OF the war OF that period THIS taken OF
the next year. a#
master General Mr. Mclean, revised postal act, which
remains al the present time the fundamental law OF the
department, passed BY the national legislature. Its
details plain, pernsal, TO have required
great skill legal knowledge the part OF lis trainers,
yet had taken experience OF forty years. and nume
roes revisions, 70 pFuect II
Tania ynolis eroi Romansm eondere g,nism
Previous TO this period poslmasers had transmitted
their revenues 10 headquarters IN bank notes. sometimes
substituting certificates OF deposite The Assistant Post
master General, who received, also disbursed these
neys so that he without effective check. This
obviously cumbrous and hazardous mode OF procedure
and is exceedingly credilable the accuracy and hon
esty OF Abraham Bradley, who discharged the duty Ior
more than quarter OF century, that no serious losses
occurred within The period Mr.. Mclean improved the
system by paying bis contractors, TO large extent in
drafts The postsasters their roues Mr. Barry, his
successor, ameorsed the matter further by directing The
posmasters 10 remit their balances IN all cases. in GER
thcaes Of deposte instead oil bank notes, and that
funds should be paid out al the except through
checks, signed by two Of ils officers, acting separately
and each certifying 10 The correctness oil The act.
During the six years (ls2o 10 ls35) OF the admnisra
hon OF Mr. Bany-the first chief oil the establishment
who took seat IN The Presidents cabnetnumerous i'm.
prOyemens and great extensions made IN the postal
service For many OF these be ordered large extra al
lowances 10 conuscors owing 70 which the establish
ment was unable TO meet ne engagements without re-
sort 10 loans from banks This resulted IN tedious in
vestgaon oil It's affairs by congressional committee
President Jackson, in consequence, transferred Mr. b.
to sphere OF duly calling for less financial ability and
placed 10 the postal chair Amos Kendall. man OF sin.
gnar cearness OF intellect. 6pe administrative quahca-
iions and Hercnean energy, who Immediately set on
foot measures destined promptly 10 elevate the credit and
relieve the embarrassmenis OF the institution.
We arrive al important epoch IN the history OF
the establishment, viz iis reorganization under the act
OF July 2, 1896, plan suggested by Mr. X Prior TO
this date, the Postmaster General had practically COM
bned in himself the three tupcons OF making contracts
for the tetvee adjusting the accounts originating under
the same and paying the money THIS System--ii sys.
TEN II can be called-not only imposed him greater
amount OF labor than any single individual could prop
efly perform, but entirely AT variance WIN that
adopted for the War and Navy Departments, as well a.
unsae-t beng recognised principle with regard to gov
eminent finances that public officer who has an agency
in making contracts should have coonexion with the
settlement Of claims arising under the The law OF
1885, referred TO, vested the settling duty in officer
styled Auditor, who be directly responsible TO the
rodca reports to, and receive instructions from the
Postmaster General, in regard 10 sundry particulars bear
ing the condition and mode of conducting the bua-
OF his office This officer being compe,en, to refuse
The payment OF illegal CLAIMS although directed BY the
Postmaster General TO ne allowed constitutes, will be
seep, salptary check on the latter funciionary.
IN December 1896. the department was destroyed by
he. lis books and papers suffered bu, little dansg 10
consequence ue# j.#t H..# ns" #fH. Is43
On the 7h OF Juy 1885, Congress enacted its first stat
ute the subject oil that valuable but very expen-
sve class Of fservcerarosd-by declaring all suc roads
to be rost-roues and directing the Postmaster General
to have the mails conveyed upon them provided he Id
do reasonable terma. and within limits prescr bed
by the act fhis opened in mail communica
ton. insert here exbibi OF tho amount and cost OF