The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-06

be anticipated for the current year. In consequence otbe
expenditures, incident to restoring the service in the
southern States, which promise proporonately small
receipts, because oil the confused condition Of the
mercia and industrial interests within those States II
hoped, however, that this unhappy condition will be
but temporary and that under their improved auspices
as free communities, their contributions to thu postal
revenues will soon exceed any in their past history.
Although in view Of the financial wants Of the govern
men and the large demand for postal expenditures In the
southern States this department. could but deem unwse
any present reduction OF domestic postage IL appreciates
the duty Of the government TO lessen all postage rates 10
the minimum of not preventing the department TO sup
port itself from Its revenues snd IL perceyes no reason
Why In few years. with rapidly Increasing prosperi-
ty aided by judcions legislation, reduction may not be
made to the maximum letter rate adopted by Great
Britain with such benesent results Moreover the hope
Is nduge that the perience OF European governments
will concur with that Of this In favor of early reduc
tion Of the present high rates OF International postage
which greatly dsproportoned TO the necessary cost
of the intermediate land and ocean transportation aud
serious obstacles to postal intercourse commercial and
social, between this country and all parts of Europe.
Among the many remarkable facts Illustrating the pro-
gress Of the people ofthe loyal States during the rebel
lOn in almost every department OF material develop
mlent and social advancement having no precedent in
history, and conoundng the predictions of ALL having
little faith In the vitality OF free Institutions and the re
of free people, that Of the increase Of postal cor
espondence shown by the postal revenues is not the
least interesting and suggestive. The maximum annual
receipts Of this department previous to the rebellion from
all the States was 40 which exceeded IN the
last year from the loyal States alone. The
revenues during the past four years amounteh 10
$6i5s,022 N, average Of sll GlI505 II per annim
Compared with tho receipts of the four years imnedi
ateiy preceding, which amounted To So 22 $40 ~ the
annual average increase of revenue was s3533sl5 3D.
which has not resulted from any considerable additions
10 the service the ratio Of receipts 10 expenditures hay
ing been larger thaI with few exceptions at any preyi
period. proper regard 10 economy in administra.
ton aided by larger contributions from all The States Of
the Union will enable the department TO increase It's
lness from year to year in all Of its Legitimate tnnc
tons But 1t must not be overlooked that the ability
fully perform its mission the postal agent of the gov
eminent is greatly impaired by the burdens imposed by
the rankng privilege and expensive service upon rontes
established Tor other than postal purposes, the receipts
from which are largely unremuneraye However much
the establishment of these routes il TO he commended for
national Objects in which regard they command The al-
proya OF the country IL h not possible TO upon what
principle they wholly chargeahle to the postal fund.-
which belongs 10 those by whom it has been contributed
and pledged TO meet the wants of the postal
The snbolned table illustrates the misapplication Of
the postal fund