The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-01-03

BEPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
The Postmaster Generals report is
an Ineligible and business-like docu-
ment, and Notwithstanding its length,
both important and interesting. The
retrenchments which have been affec-
ted, and the increase of revenue in ex-
cess of calculations, are the subject of
complacent reference; though it is con-
sidered certain that if reforms hereto
fore recommended to Congress had
been adopted the accounts of the de-
partment would have looked much bet
ter. The total Expenditures for the
fiscal year have been $19, ,170,130 SO
OF which belongs to 1859 1926, ,O69 26
Leaving total expenditures for go sl4,s74772 SO
Total revenue for 1860 9,2ls,067 40
Expenditures more than revenue S5,655,7 ,7O5 40
There is, however, by reason of ap-
preparations from the treasury, a credit
balance TO the revenue
Account for 1860 of s13l1 O6O II
Of which is available only 500, ,59S II
The balance s6l5, l62 90
is made up of arrearages from post
masters, accumulated since 1916, and
which may as well be charged to profit
and loss. The increase of revenue for
1860 was previously estimated at four
per cent. above 1859; but it proves,
however, to be near seven per cent.
But in the estimates for 1861 and 1862
it is thought best to adhere to the for
mer calculation of increase. The his
tory of the department since 1853
shows an increase of expenditure of
about one million per annum until
1858, and similar increase of deficien-
cy, except between 1855 and 1856,
when the increase of each was but half
million. Between 1858 and 1859 the
increase of each was about two mil
lion; since which period, although the
expenditure has continued about the
same, the deficiency has been dimin-
ished by about S6sO,OO0. The esti-
mates indulge the hope that million
more will be saved in 1862.
The total sum received for stamps
and stamped envelops was S6,264 ,533
"a, an increase of S9Os, 1925 over the
sales of 1859. More than two thirds
of the revenue of the department comes
from stamps, and the accurate manage
ment of this part of the business in
wolves great increase of labor and
expense to the department, for which,
and other accounts, the Postmaster
General asks for the creation of elev-
en- new clerkships. The statistics in
reference to the foreign mail service,
and the negotiations with the British
postoffice on the subject of internation-
al postages, will be found of interest.
The latter are yet incomplete but the
claims of the United States, which are
the occasion of demur on the other
side, seem reasonable.
Sufficient time having elapsed-three
years-to give the people perfect un-
derstanding of the obligation of pre-
payment, the department no longer no.
titles writers of un-pre-paid letters of
the fact. 1t is curious that the num-
Der of letters of this class has not di-
minished, and there seems no way to
effect change but by sending them to
the dead letter office which is now done.
About 100000 of dead letters are re-
ceived annually; and it is found that
of these which contain valuable enclo-
sures more than three fourths are mis-
directed or illegibly superscribed.
The department is defended for the
additional charge of one cent on drop
letters, and also for making the streets
of Boston, New York, and Philadel-
phia post routes, to the exclusion of ex.
presses, which measures are claimed
to be strictly legal. But it is recon-.
mended that Congress pass a more
definite law upon the latter subject
The criticisms of the people and the
press upon these movements of the de.
partment are rather querulously com
planned of The registry of letters is
considered as useless expense, its only
and very doubtful advantage being te
divert the attention of robbers from the
general to the registered mails. 1t il
thought that something better may be
devised, by which, at increased rates
the government should be held re
sponsible, and safety and conveyance
insured.
! We learn from this report that Mr.
Vanderbilt was induced to convey thu
San Francisco mails until March 4th
upon the express assurance that thu
} President should recommend Congress
to pay him well for the service, t.
which pledge Mr.. Holt here adds hi
recommendation, intimating that th'
steamship king came "to the relief o
the department in a conjuncture o
: great embarrassment"
The case of Mr.. Fowler is very brief
ly mentioned. Not a word is said o
> the claim set up by his sureties tia
> the department was aware of the def
cheney at the time their bond was tax
f en-, but is disingenuously stated tha
, they stated that they resist the recov
: cry on the ground that another MAJ
|. was to sign with them.
fl The report is enlivened by a goo,
D joke in reference to bill now pendin,
: before Congress for the establishment
: of expensive mail routes to San Fran
cisco, Salt Lake City, and Placerville
which is attributed-with probabilit
9 Ito the solicitudes of contractors. Nj
Holt quantity intimates that, ''if thei
50 stimportunities cannot be understood b
l.