The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-16

over the whole country, from one ocean to she
other. There can be but little further expense
resulting from overland connection with Cali
fornia and the other Pacific States and Terri
tories. Except one other route, commonly
called the Northern route, from St. Paul, in
Minnesota, to Seattle, in Washington Terri
tory, no other is thought of as likely to become
necessary. The estimate for the transportation
of the mails for the next fiscal year, ls5916O,
when completed, over and above the antici-
pated revenues, may therefore be regarded as
the maximum which will probably be required
for some time to come.
The Postmaster General proposes, in lieu Of
the ranking privilege now allowed by Law 10
members of Congress, that the Secretary of the
Senate and the Clerk Of the House of Represent
atiyes or such other officer as may be designs-
ted for the purpose, furnish the members with
postage stamps to be used on all letters, public
documents, and packets, transmitted by them III
the mails, and keep an account OF the stamps
furnished to each member, to be paid for out Of
the contingent fund of the House. 1t is fur,
Their proposed that all letters and packets, ex
cept newspapers addressed to members OF Con-
gress, shall be prepaid at the mailing office. In
| this way the Department would be compensated
for the service rendered, without a resort to the
Inconvenience of keeping daily minute accounts
| To avoid dissatisfaction and the practical il
convenience of having different rates of postag
regulated by distances, it is respectfully submit,
| ted whether one uniform rate of FIVE cents TO
! all distances would not enlarge the usefulness
| of the Department, and diminish, if 1t did no.
entirely prevent, such heavy drafts upon the
Treasury, and best promote the interest and
convenience of the people
The whole number of post offices, on 30th
June last, was 27,977, of which 400 are of the
class denominated Presidential; whole number
established during the last fiscal year. 2,l2l ;
number discontinued, 100; increase, ,39l num-
Der of postmasters appointed, 1924. Of these
1896 were to fill vacancies occasioned by resigs
nation, 998 by removals, 278 by deaths, 292 By
change Of names and sites, and 2,l2l on estab-
lishment of new offices. Whole number of OF
fees December l, 1853, 28,573. On the BOT.
June last, there we're in operation 1926 mai
routes. The number of contractors was OAR
The length of these routes is estimated az
26O,6 O3 miles; total amount of transportation;
1865, 46l miles, and cost $7,7954l8. -
Compared with the service reported June 3Q-
1857, there is an addition of 1902 miles te
the length of routes, and 81, 1882 to the cost
The total estimates for the current year are
l0,6l5,947. The total expenditures of the De
partment in the fiscal year ending June 80
1858, amounted to $l2,722,47O. The estimated
receipts and expenditures in 1859: expendis
lures, $l4,776,52O; means, 81 ,O94,393; def-'
cheney, $3,682,I27.
On the subject of ocean and foreign mail ser
vice, the Postmaster General, among other
things, says: By the time the contract for the
California lines, via Panama and Tehuantepees
expire, on Oct. l, 1859, it is probable that tbs
route by Lake Nicaragua will have been reopen
ed and IN successful operation. This present.
the question whether one two, or three of these
routes shall thereafter be employed for mail
purposes.
The Tehuantepec route is the shortest and
most readily protected against interruptions
but 1t will be comparatively too new, and the
line OF staging too long, to furnish with certaint
adequate and satisfactory communication be-
tween our Atlantic and Pacific possessions
While it is destined, no doubt, to become a
transit of the first importance, and will deserve
the highest patronage and encouragement, stis
it cannot supersede the necessity of one or more
routes through Central America. r
1t is of the highest importance that the rout
by Nicaragua should be reopened, and it's uIl
disturbed use for the transportation Of the mails
passengers, troops. and munitions of war, Sc
cured by the solemn guaranty of public treaty.
Without this, in view of the unstable conditiog
of the local Government of Central America.
the safety and security of transportation can
hardly be relied on AS calculated to furnish
the requisite facilities of communication be-
tween Europe and the Southern and Southwest
ern States, the projected lines between Nolfol'H
and England, and between New Orleans ,ap<s'
bordeaux, are among the most important - bs
established
As regards a line from some suitable Port i'm
the United States TO Brazil and the extension
of the California line from Panama to the South
Pacific coast, which, for commercial as well as
Tor mail purposes, il is so desirable should be
established, and the line from New Orleans to
Vera Cruz, 1t Is apparent that the postagtys to
be derived therefrom would defray but tisling
portion Of the expenses of the same The Post
master General regards it as highly important
that the line TO Vera Cruz should be contif ued
TRIUMPH OF STEAM FIRE ENGINE.-Early
on Wednesday morning, the roof of the black
smith shop of the extensive founderv of Mer-
rick Son, in Philadelphia, took fire, and at
one time promised to produce serious confla-
grafton. The Ae'cS, however, SAYS:
" j he steam fire engine Hope was soon npon
the ground, and when the members ascertained
what was on fire they immediately fired uI the
boiler while yet on the way, and by the time
the company reached the place of conhagr
ton no less than pressure of ninety pounds of
steam had been raised. 1t was but the work
of a moment to put the engine into service.
The stream, almost as thick as a -four barrel.
was thrown with immense force on the burning
roof, and in a short time the lurid glare of the,
clouds above faded, even quicker than Grim
son cloud in the sunset borne
The hremen of many companies expressed
admiration of the performance, and If there
were any present governed BY old preucices
fhpv had sniff piant o,-idopna 70 -
ton of their opinions. At one time the rain
building was threatened, so fercelv were. the
flames and sparks whirled by each edd,ing
gust of wind but the immense amount of water
thrown steadily on the burning combnstrbles
soon checked the further progress of the fire
The various hand engines and hose companies
did good service in the old-fashiened way but
the steamer saved them vast deal of ma .ual
labor. The loss by the fire AID water nav
reach $1,000"
MORE TROUBLE FOR COLONEL FoRNEy
Chicago Tribune, few DAYS ago. in enumera.
ting the troubles which await Mr. Douglas. OBJ
served that he icOuld he called upon TO rofe
for or against modification of the tariff. for
me protection OF leading mdnuJdcturin0 inter
ests 10 this, Mr.. Douglass organ the Chica
60 Times, made prompt answer, in this wise:
We suppose no Democrat from any State
will ever vote for a protective tariff. Tins is
the great trouble disposed Of"
This is a very extraordinary answer. not he.
cause it reafirms the opposition of Judge Doug.
las and has immediate friends to protective
tariff, but because it is an abrupt and emphatic
denial of the Democratic character of anyhodv
who favors protective tariff-Repu5lic.
RULE OR RUIN.-The Charleston Ne,cs 5; VS..
We have never urged a dissolution of She
Cmon IN the event of the rejection of the e.
compton bill, in the manner in Which it.oc.