Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-12-05


on the principle Of deffaying Its expenses out
Of Its revenues. It's financial history shows
that its annual receipts have rarely equalled
It's expenditures. During the last year there
was a surplus Of revenue, result the moro
gratifying because no part Of the appropria-
ton for franked matter has been drawn upon.
But so favorable n result cannot be antici-
pated for the current year, in consequence Of
the expenditures, incident to restoring the
service in the southern States, which prom
Use proportionately small receipts, because
OF the confused condition Of the commercial
and industrial interests within those States.
1t is hoped, however, that this unhappy con-
dition will BIO but temporary and that under
their improved auspices as FREQ communities,
their contributions to the postal revenues
will soon exceed any in their past history.
Although, in view Of the financial wants
of the Government and the large demand for
postal expenditures in the Southern States,
this Department could but deem unwise any
present reduction Of domestic postage, II APP
preciates the duty of the Government to
lessen all postage rates to the minimum of
not preventing the Department to support
itself from its revenues, and 1t perceiyes no
reason why, in few years, with our rapidly
increasing prosperity, aided by judicious le-
gislation, reduction may not be made to the
maximum letter rate adopted by Great Brit
ain with such beneAcent results. Moreover,
the hope is INDUCED that tho experience Of
European Governments will concur with that
of this, in favor Of an early reduction of the
present high rates Of international postage,
which are greatly disproportioned to the ne
cessary cost Of the intermediate land and
ocean transportation, and serious obstacles
TO postal intercourse, commercial and social,
between this country and all parts Of Europe.
Among the many remarkable facts illus
trating the progress Of the people of the loyal
States during the rebellion, in almost every
department Of material development and
social advancement, having no precedent in
history, and confounding the predictions Of
all having little faith in the vitality Of free
institutions and the resources of n free PEG.
pie, that of the increase ofpostal correspond,
ence, as shown by the postal revenues is moi
the least interesting and suggestive. The
maximum annual receipts Of this department
previous to the rebellion from all the States
was So, 5lS, O67 40, which was exceeded il
the sum of SO, 03S, 09l 30 by the receipts OF
the last year from the loyal States alone
The revenues during the past four years
amounted to $40, 34s, O23.p7, an Average o.
81 GA, sos "a per annufh.
|
years Immediately preceding, which amount
ed to 1872, 322, 640.73 the annual average in
crease of revenue was So, 500, S45. So, which
has not resulted from any considerable add
tions to the service, the ratio of receipts t
expenditures having been larger than, will
few exceptions, at any previous period A
proper regard to economy in administration
aided by larger contributions from all tn,
States Of the Union, will enable the depart
ment to increase its usefulness from year t
year in all of its legitimate functions. Blu
1t must not be overlooked that the ability t
fully perform its mission as the postal agen
of the Government is greatly impaired by tn
burdens imposed by the ranking privilege
and expensive service upon routes estab
lished for other than postal purposes, the re
ceipts from which are largely remunerativo
However much the establishment of thes
routes is to BIO commended for national OBJ
jects, in which regard they command the ap
proval of the country, it is not possible t.
SEQ upon what principle they are who'll,
chargeable to the postal fund, which belong
to those by whom it has been contributed
and is pledged to meet the wants Of the posta
service.