The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1858-12-16

this service wss bat fraction above fourteen
millions and quarter. Since that year il
has annually increased, until IN 1858 il has
reached more than eight millions and quar-
ter; and for the service of 1859. il is estirna-
ted it viii amount TO more than ten millions
Of dollars.
The receipts of the Post Office Department
cannot be made TO approach or TO equal the
expenditure only by means Of the legislation
of Congress. In applying any remedy. care
should be taken that the people shall not be
deprived OF the advantages which they are
fairly entitled to enjoy from the Post Office
Department, The principal remedies recon-
meuded to the consideration OF Congress by
the Postmaster General. are to restore the
former rate of postage on single letters to five
cents; to substitute Tor the iranking privilege
the delivery to those now entitled 10 enjov it,
OF post office stamps for their correspondence,
and to direct the department, in making con
tracts for The transportation OF the mail. 10
conhne itself 10 the payment of the sum nee
essary for this single purpose, without requit
ing it 10 be transported in post coaches or
carriages of any particular description. Un
der the present system. the expense to the
Government is greatly increased by requiring
that the mail shall be carried in such vehi-
cles as will accommodate passengers. This
Will be done without pay from the depart
ment, over all roads where the travel will re-
munerate the contractors.
These recommendations deserve the grave
consideration OF Congress.
PACIFIC RAILROAD RECOMMENDED.
l would again call your attention to the
construction of Pacific Railroad Time
and reflection have but served TO confirm me
in the truth and justice OF the observations
which | made on this subject in my last an
nual message. to which l beg leave respect
fully to refer.
1t is freely admitted that it would be in
expedient for this government TO exercise tho
power of constructing the Pacific Railroad by
its immediate agents. Such a policy
would increase the patronage of the Execu-
tive to dangerous extent, and Introduce
system of jobb:ng and corruption. which no
vigilance on the part OF teleral officials could
either prevent or detect. This can only be
done by the keen eve aad active and careful
supervision of individual and private interest.
The construction of this road ought. there
fore. TO be committed to companies incorpo-
rated By the States. or other agencies whose
pea6niary interests would be directly involv.
ed. Congress might then assist them in the
work by grants of land or Of money. or both
un Ter such conditions and restrictions as
would secure the transportation Of troops and
munitions of war free from any charge. and
thai Of the United ates mail at fair and
reasonable price.
The progress ofevenss since the commence
nc. o"i ~ ''1' e, ~
I'm ~ .I"':P -. A.n' aA
a.anoJ ~, a,,d nsir;o,;. mn - Ia
a ,.is;onarr rr,;ect TLa ,,raot distanc, ~
ba overcome ani the ;n,nrve,ing mountains
a,d 4exer4s !, fb Wv yaro obstacles wb;cb
!, The oI;,ion of ,nany conId not he a.
mounted Now after the Ianse of but a sin.
ole year. these obstacles it has been discoy-
cred ara far less formidable than they were
suoro<eI to BE-. and mail STAGES with passan-
.,ars 5,f,oy mass a.I rapass regnI.rlv tIy,c. IN
s,,cb we4k bv a common wao,on roai ba-
tween San Francisco and s. Louis and
Memphis. in less t,.an twertv-6y. d.ys The
service has been as REGULARLY performed as il
was ii f,rncr wears between New York and
this city.
Wnii,t disciaiminr all authority to appro.
pirate money for tie cousru:tior Of this road
axrept that derived from the war-makine
power u TN. Constitution. there are irpar
ian, collateral considerations urginy as 10 un-
dar;ake the work a. sreediIy as nossib!c
The first and most nornentous OF these IS.
that such road would be a powerful bond
o union between Tie states east and west OF
.''e A'seAS -no"'I' az ii's . -
U',t. as - - ''ie - 'i.ie'n
D"' =" fo'nV -
IN ' ~. ',.Is ''.e 60 f"es''on y
''' '''o o"' 1o.,o
t 'I,o ,te ..'s - I, ~ ~
g - = :. "a a. ',,9 he IL P;I
ou'' -o,.-';e.:J "au .iPi. r..
.'o...aa - - ~ -
- - - r. a. 80, 80.
,.'.t oo1'' !, ~, 49,. ~, -
tes Win ohiHa aho oaPan' VIII open 'hose
rlch anu popuIous emp 20 our co"fnerce'
and the history Oh the ~orid proves ina. 'he
nation when has gained possession OF the
trade with Eastern asa mas a., Always become
wealthy ana powerful Inc peculiar geo.