Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-17

ier denominations OF specie, and ceased with
the Introduction of the so called postal cur.
rency.
The difference between the value of stamps
sold and stamps cancelled in the fiscal year
1862 shows S73S, ,379 96 as the amount in the
hands of purchasers on the 1st of July, 1862.
The whole number of dead letters received
and examined during the year is ,282 ,OlS,
which is 267 900 less than in the previous
year. The whole number of valuable letters
sent out by the Dead Letter Office was 81 ,239.
Many interesting details are given in the Re-
port touching the operations of the office.
Out of 81 ,493 cases where causes of non de-
livery were ascertaned, only 225 were at;rib-
utable to the fault of Postmasters S22 letters
bad no address whatever.
Congress at its first session passed an act
authorizing the employment of 25 additional
clerks to facilitate the return of dead letters
to their writer's, with the expectation that the
receipts of postages thereon would cover the
appropriation of $50, 900 for their compensa-
tion. The result thus far shows that an ex-
cess of revenue therefrom over the expenses
has accrued to the amount of several thou sand
dollars.
The whole number of Post Offices in the
United States, remaining established on the
Both of June, 1862, was %, 7S5, of which there
were in the loyal States and districts 10 ,973,
and in the insurrectionary States and districts
there were S.902.
The net increase in the established officers
over last year was III. The number of cases
acted npon by the appointment Office during
the year was 1855. The total postages ac-
crued on United States and European mails
during the year amounts to 81 ,144, ,095 80,
being reduction on the amount of the pre-
vious year of S217 $40 SO. OF the total amonnt
collected the excess collected in the United
States was S2l2, ,607 SO, which constitutes the
balances paid TO the several foreign depart
ments, the cost of exchange being betrayed
by the United States. The Postmaster Gen
proposes, if possible, to retrieve the Depart
ment from this burden.
The Postmaster General has made special
efforts to retrieve the foreign correspondence
of the country from its complexty SO en-
barrassing alks to correspondents and to pos
tai officers. Separate negotiations have been
found altogether inadequate to secure simple
and satisfactory arrangements. He therefore
opened correspondence in August last
through the Department of State with foreign
Administrations, proposing a Convention of
Postal Representatives at some convenient
point to consider the enumerated difficulties
and the means of remedying.
Several reDlieS have been rec aiye6 from he
various governments, and all are favorable
and agree to the project. This country COM
prsing emigrants from aim st every civili-
zed nation, is especially interested in the SUBJ
ject proposed to be brought before this con-
ference. 1t is a species of postal improve
ment requiring the establishment of greater
uniformity, and some common principle OF
arrangement, and is connected with our pros
persous commercial intercourse with other
countries.
The mail lettings which went into opera
tion on the 1st of July last in the Western
Division, aud were effected on such fav orable
terms, as compared with the previous lettings,
that reduction of expenditure resulted to
the amount of 1881 900. AT the same time
the length OF the routes was increased by loo
miles, with an annual increase of transporta-
tion of 754, ,42S miles. Notwithstanding this
increase OF service, the net saving is over
per cent, as compared with the previous term.
The total annual cost of the internal SER
vice in operation on the 30,h of June last was
So, 1853 1884, to which add the cost of the va
rious agencies, route and local messengers,
&C., $3.50, $50 90, and the cost of the aervice
at that date is S6,314, ,464 90, which includes
81 10000 for the overland mail route not be-
fore charged upon the revenues of this De-
partment.
The saving in the lettings of the West to
July, 1862, is attributed to strict adherence
to the law of lS45, authorizing what is known
as star bids.
The report renews the recommendation for
codifying all the postal laws, and hopes it may
be done at this session.
Among the Improvements under considera-
tion by the Postmaster General, is that of en-
bossing postal stamps on business and other
envelopes. supplied for that purpose by per-
sons desiring to furnish their own designs.
1t is believed that this will largely increase
the use OF stamped envelopes in lieu of stamps,
which is an object of great importance to the
Department. ~
He also discourages the use of the mails
for transmitting money, and speaks favorably
OF limited money order system, and offers
an amendment totbe registers system, by which
return receipt shall be sent to the despatch
ing party as evidence of the fact and date of
delivery of the package.