The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-12-05

The deficiency in 1858 was as above stated, $2,o42,
BOA g. When came into the administration q the de-
pertinent in March, 1853 the liabilities OF the year had been
chiefly incurred aud Of course existing
fully met In the following year the department was ena-
bed by the practice Of aProper economy ana ~ tne IN
public service required IT, and al the same time copsdera
| bly, to reduce the deficiency
But in the year 1855 tie increase u revenue was small
W. burdens thrown upon the department
were very larss these noticed in detail in my
huai rep9 Of that year but deem expedient again 70
reer % them. considerable item Of increase from
the grant OF larger commissions posmasers by the
OF June 81 1854 which amounted 20 about $3l6493 80
70 which to be added various grants TO mail contrac
tors amounting to $4,000 22 and other items forming
aggregate increase OF SAP 264 90 in the deficiency OF 1855
The deficiency in 1856 is in like enlarged by the
operation Of the act of June 49, 1854 granting increased
commissions 10 posmaster by the greater cost OF the mail
service the Mississippi river by the rapid extension
of the service generally The additional compensation
postmasters in 1856 under the act mentioned alone
amounts - not less than $330ooo and without regarding
the immense increase of service throughout the country
since the year 1883 it will be that the additional
compensation allowed to postmasters alone be deducted
from the expenditures the whole deficiency of the will
| not exceed that of 1850 than Sal 400.
While the deficiency has been thus augmented the in
of the service has been very great During this pc
riod the railroad service was increased 1908 miles in
length OF routes at cost of S709060 The increase OF
service by modes specified in the different sections OF
the Union in the period amounted 20 ID miles in
length, and 6252944 in annual transportation the add
uonal cost of which S4966l. There was reduction
in coach and steamboat service owing chiefly TO the
structon OF rairoad but much higher prices had to be
paid under the lettings and although the tables show
decrease of 573l miles in both descriptions of service du
1856. =
In my last annual report in referring to the deficiency
in the Post Office revenue expressed my regret that Con-
gress had not abolished the rankng privilege when they
the act of Sd March, 1851 reducing the rates of post
age The experience of the last year has satisfied
fully that this privilege should be speedily abolished For
months during this year free matter by the ton passed
through the mails into every part of the United States in
respondence of the country When this free matter passes
from the railroads it is almost mpractcable to forward il
by the ordinary conveances The evil yearly ncreas
Ing detractng largely from the of the department
and mpairng its efficiency.
By the act Of 1925 the revenue of the Post Office Depart
ment entirely in the control of the Postmaster General
the objects of expenditure being generally left to his dsce
ton and he simply required to pay all the expenses
The extension othe postal system over our rapidly
ing country required thorough organization, which
effected by the act of July, 1886 That act required
specific estimates" be submitted each session of Con-
gress; and when an appropriation was made 1t lin
tied to the aggregate Of those estimates and there
authority exceed them. The appropriation made
out of the of the Post Office Department the theo
ry being that the department should sustain ITSELF The
beneficial effects of this act intended to system of
rigid accountability, have been impaired by various causes
After estimates have been submitted additional service
involving large expenditures has been required by law
without any additional appropriation
The railroad service which has been rapidly extended
in every section of the country though much more ad-
vantageous is far more expensive than the old modes of
service, and the increased arising thereom has
not been in proportion TO the increased outlay The
duced rates of postage having largely reduced the
has not been possible conne the expenditures of the
within its income and the Postmaster General
has been compelled to apply to Congress annually APP
proprate the deficiency from the general treasury These
have removed in effect the salutary restraint i'm
posed by the &C, of 1885, and left the head Of this depart
ment In great degree uncontrolled in his expenditures
This state of things should continue The laws should
be 30 framed as oproduce sufficient amount of revenue
| to defray all proper expenditures.
m LAWS rabnFyf ba r.
privilege measure which would greatly reduce the ex
penes or the departmentbe adopted by Congress
would recommend the passage of law enabling the de-
parent TO charge the ordinary rates Of postage letters
and printed matter which pass free through the mails
" IN addition TO this the clause of the of 30th August
Boz allowing deduction of 80 per cent newspapers
and periodicals. when paid quarterly yearly in advance
be abolished recommended in my last two annual
ports and the department be relieved from the Of
ocean mail steamship and sthmus service it would with
proper economy sustain itself The power Of the
bead OF this department the treasury would then be
confined within proper limits and the accountability con-
templated by the act of 1886 again be established
The operation of the which went into effect LIST April
1902 requiring prepayment postage letters from
point TO another within the United States has proved gen.
orally very satisfactory Without abiding to other ad
yantages II affords the only Of guarding the
department against loss from fraud careeness and
beg to my former recommendation for the passage
OF an act making prepayment also compulsory on all
transient printed matter.
By the of third March, ls45 the Postmaster General
is authorized under the restrictions and provisions Of the
transportation OF the mails
OF the United States between any Of the ports Of the United
States and port ports of any foreign power whenever
in his opinion the public interest will thereby be promoted
Ii made his duty to report TO the next ensuing Congress
copy OF each OF these contracts with statement Of the
amount Of postage derived under the These
tracts must be made with citizens OF the United States the
mail carried in American vessels by American citizens and
the contracts may be made for term not exceeding ten
years. and must tain spuaons reservng the right
the two houses Of Congress TO terminate them by joint
resolution. The power given by this act Is under
which large expenditures involving millions could be
sted, but neither Of my predecessors myself has
used the authority thus given Believing that Congress
should reserve the right 10 TO how many and TO what
foreign ports the mails OF the United States should be
transported and the amount Of money which should be
pended for that purpose would recommend the repeal Of
so much Of this act as eonfes this great power the Post
master General.
The contract for the lines between New York and Bre
men, and New York and Southampton and Bavre will e1-
pire the first Of June 1857. For the most part the
service has been performed 10 the satisfaction of the de-
partment II this service Is 10 be continued the depart
ment should At be authorized TO advertise take
such other steps may be deemed wise and expedcnt by
Congress TO that object The present contractors
state that they prepared to build other and swfter
ships than those the lines provided their contract
be renewed and the service Is to 70 into other hands
the contractors should have ample given them by
which they may be enabled 10 the service
Immediately the expiration OF the present contract
In relation to these mail lines TO foreign ports may be
permitted TO observe that II the present system is be
continued Of sustaining then In whole In part Of
the funds Of the general treasury h perceived
why port Of the United States should be- preferred
the exclusion OF others From the port New York there
now run fosr lines embracing the branch from New Or
leans 10 Havana which receive from the treasury the yearly
Of million four hundred and ninetyeigh thou
sand dollars and appropriations continue TO be asked for
other lines running from the port
brrfnt nf frnrn al A.