Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-12-05

ending the 3Oth of September, the number
of stamps issued TO postmasters was lO4,-
600, 600, their calls being for about 20O,-
900, 600, which would have been nearly
sufiicientto meet the usual demand for a
year. This extraordinary demand arose
from the temporary use OF these stamps as
q currency, 10 lieu of the smaller denomi-
nations of specie, aud ceased with the in
PRODUCTION of the so-called postal currency.
The difference between the value of stamps
sold aud stamps cancelled in the fiscal year
1862, shows S73S ,37996 as the amount in
the hands of postmasterso on Ihelst of July,
1867.
The whole number of dead letters re-
ceiVed and examined during the year, is
2,2s2OIs; which is 267, 900 less than ia the
previous year. The whole number of val
liable letters sent out by the Dead Letter
Once, was 81, 239.
Many interesting details are given in the
report touching the operations of this Of
Zee. Out of 81, 493 cases, where the
causes of non delivery we're ascertained,
only 225 were attributed to the fault of the
Postmasters, aud 922 letters had no ad-
dresses whatever. Congress, Mt its last
session passed an act autheriziog the en-
ployment of twenty-five additional clerks
TO facilitate the return of dead Letters to
the writers, with the expectation that the
receipts of postage thereon would cover
the appropriation of sac, 900 made for their
compensation. The result, thus far, shows
that an excess ofrevenue theretrom over the
expenses has accrued to the amount of sew
eral thousand dollars.
The whole number of postoffices in the
United States remaining established on the
3oth of June, 1862. was 2s,S75; of which
there were in the loyal States aud districts
q Q73 and in he observation-disclosures
and districts there were 8 9O2. The netiu-
crease ia the established offices over last
year was l2I. The number of cases acted
upon by the appointment Office during the
year was 1875.
The total postage accrued on the United
States and EuropeRu mails during the wear
amounts to Sl,l44, O94,62, being reduce
ton from the amount of the previous year
OF $2l7, 940.ss. OF the total amount col
Iected, the excess collected in the United
States was $2l2607 SO, which constitutes
the balance paid to the several foreign de-
partments, the cost of exchanges being paid
by the United States. The Postmaster Cen
eral objects to the cost as ina1tquate, aud
proposes, if possible to relieve the Depart
ment from this burden.
The mail lettings which went into opera
ton on the LIST of July last ia the Western
division were effected on such favorable
terms, as compared with the previous let
ting, that a reduction of expenditures re-
suited to the amount of 1881 900 At the
same time the length of routes was iu-
creased by 6,l59 miles, with an annual in
crease of transportation of 754, 42s miles.
| The total annual cost of inland service
| in operation on the 30th of June last WAS
| So, 1858. s34, to which add the cost of the
| various agencies, route, local messengers,
&C., $3.50, 630,92, aud the cost of service
at that date is $6,3I4, 464, 92, which in
cludes 81 100000 for the overland route
not before charged on the revenues OF this
Department.
He discourages the use of the mails for
transmitting money, and speaks faYorably
of a limited money order system, and of an
amendment to the registry system, by
which return receipt shall be sent to the
despatching party, as evidence of the fact,
and date of the delivery of his package.
The public attention is called to the
great importance OF good Postnl officers for
a successful administration of the DeDart-
ment. IL postmasters aud their clerks are
selected without chief reference to their eff.
fcieucy and personal fitness, no amount of
good legislation will secure public salts.
faction. An energetic, faithful, and eff.
Gent postmaster, devoted 20 the interests
of the service, should be retained as long
as he Illustrates these qualities in his adj
ministration of the Office. He attributes
the success OF the English system large
~ to the permanent character of their
officers and their familiarity with law and
regulations, and regrets the extent to
which other motives toappointments have
prevailed in this country. He urges a
return to the old standard of honesty.
Capability, and fidelity, aud anticipates
more public satisfaction and administra-
tive success from the adoption of such a
principle than from any other single act
of reform. He uses the following language:
1t is my intention to adhere fully to nv
determination to disnlace incompetency
and indifference, wherever found in Of
fetal position under my control, without
any discrimination in favor Of appoint-
ments which l may myself have made
under misinformation of facts.
The document, as q whole, will be
read with unusual interest, and contains
numerous suggestions of great Importance
to this branch of the public service.
THE following was received at the Office
of the commissioner Of internal revenue