The national Republican., 1866-12-21


will give The PRESIDENT that rest which he
needs and ought to exact for himself.
REPORT OF THE POsTMASTER
GENERAL.
The reports of the several heads Of De-
partments are usually Of such length, and
contain such multiplicity o! details, that
very few, except the members Of Congress
to whom they are referred, take the trouble
to look into them. Those sent in with the
message at the present session are unusually
interesting, and in clearness and strength of
statement, and comprehensive exhibition Of
the condition of the public service, compare
with the best that have preceded them.
The report Of the Postmaster General,
which we have been led to examine with
the more attention because we found 1t con-
densed within such limits as not to alarm our
Incidence, is to be commended for the fidelity
with which every matter Of importance con-
nected with the postal service is stated, its
compact arrangement, and terseness Of style
characteristics indicating on the part Of
its author thorough acquaintance with the
affairs Of the Department over which he pre-
sides, and the good taste and judgment ne
cessary to explain and discuss them in the
most effective way.
Among the many interesting matters Of
the report we may call attention to the pro-
gress made in the restoration Of mail service
in the lately insurgent States. Since the
cessation Of hostilities between the two Sec
tions there have, of course, been great EN-.
barrassments to the Department, arising from
the disorganized condition of society, and
the arrangement Of all business relations
throughout the South-the insuficiency Of
means among her citizens to perform con-
tracts for carrying the mails over the many
long routes requiring for proper service the
outlay Of large amount Of capitalize
difficulty under existing laws, passed during
the rebellion, of finding postmasters and con.
tractors who could comply with the test Of
loyalty required, and the ruinous state to
which her railroad communications had been
reduced His predecessor had devoted earnest
attention to this field Of duty, and Mr. RAN
DALI has evidently allowed no time to be
lost, nor spared any effort, in the work Of
restoring the Southern country to postal
communication with the rest Of the Union.
When this shall be fully accomplished, much
will have been done towards the perfect re.
storation Of harmony between the lately
belligerent States.
That portion Of the report relating to the
foreign mail service is of special interest
showing, as it does, o rapidly increasing cor.
respondence with the countries of the Old
World, and of Europe in particular; and the
recommendations for improvements in that
branch of the service will not fail to meet
with responsive legislation. To increase the
facilities for postal intercommunication with
the industrial classes Of Europeans, and the
men Of enterprise and capital among them
many Of whom are anxiously looking fol-
wider and more inviting fields Of labor, is in
the present condition Of our country On i'm
perative duty not likely to be neglected by
our Senators and Representatives
A liberal postal convention was concluded
in the course of last summer with the King
dom Of Italy, soon to be carried into execu
tion.
Notice having been given by the British
Government, dated July 26, ult., for the ter
mination Of the existing convention between
the two countries on the lst of january
1868, the report informs us that the basis fol-
another has been agreed upon with severa
advantages over the other; the first men
toned Of which is the reduction Of lette
postage to one half Of the present charge
and the second, the removal of all restric
tions upon the exchange Of printed matte
in the mails, at reduced postage charges.
The vast Importance of establishing a
speedily as possible regular mail communi
cations with China and Japan on the bes
possible footing is succinctly and forcbly Sc
forth. The progress made towards the fu
flment of the contract made under the &C
of February II, 1865, with the Pacific Ma
Steamship Company Of New York, is state
and valuable information given as to Il
most advantageous mode Of securing rap
and regular service by steamship line.
is well remarked that the money to be e:
pended in aid of the commercial enterprii
represented by the company above name
"will come back from the China seas in goot
and wares and merchandise to our own ma
kets, or, in seeking European markets,
transportation paid across the continent"
OF the detailed statements Of the repor
those concerning dead letters the free d
livery system, (now in successful operate
in forty-six OF our principal cities,) and Il
postal money.order system contain mu'
interesting information. Certain defects
the Last mentioned are pointed out, and II
proper remedies suggested. ~ ,gl e s'',al ,' a
When all the other heads of Department
are recommending more liberal compens
tion for their clerks and employees, those wi
know his genial nature would be sure TO e.