The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-05

mer appropriations No appropriation for
the past year is, therefore, needed.
But 1t Is obvious that the problem
Of making the Post Office Department
selEsupporting has not been solved. Indeed,
the Postmaster General intimates that this
problem threatens to become still more difH-
cult Of solution in view Of the facts that new
channels OF postal communication are opening
everywhere and necessary expenses grow
faster than legitimate revenue Increases Still,
he correctly says that there is no appropriation
OF public money which brings back, directly
and indirectly, so large . return to the govern
ment and the people a. that made in aid Of
the postal service. When" he adds, the
waste country becomes better settled and tho
facilities for mail transportation increased and
cheapened. as they will be In few years, Ito
increase Of revenues and comparative decrease
OF carrying expenses will entirely change the
relation Of the taxes and resources Of the De-
partment, and at the present rates Of postage
it will not only be self-sustaining, but furnish
no inconsiderable revenue to the government"
At present, however, 30 great 10 the demand for
Increased mail service by the people Of the
Territories, and for supplying the necessities Of
the older States, and so important is 1t to put
into full operation the service in the States
lately involved in the rebellion. that consid-
cradle deficiency is estimated for the year 1863.
Here Is strong additional reason for hasten
ing a. much as possible the vast and urgent
work OF Southern reconstruction. The we'll
grounded complaints Of the delays occasioned
by the Indian troubles in the service Of the
Overland and Territorial mails suggest also the
imperative necessity Of speedily putting an end
to those troubles It is encouraging to learn
that, although the Southwestern route between
Washington and New Orleans was obstructea
by excessive foods for thirty-ave days last
spring, the service on that route compared with
the records kept before the rebellion exhibits .
marked improvement, both with regard to
speed and regularity. It Is also encouraging.
In view of it's immense future importance, to be
informed that the Pacific Railroad service il
keeping pace with the rapid progress Of the
Pacific Railroad towards it's promised compile
ton in 1870. In this connection We may refer
to the report for interesting particulars - TO the
postal convention with Hong Kong, China, and
the successful Inauguration OF a mail steamship
service TO Japan and China, an enterprise which
opens . prospect Of incalculable advantages 70
the commerce Of the United States with tho
East All that part Of the report relating to
the foreign mail service is important especially
the account Of negotiations Of now postal con-
ventions with Great Britain and countries
on the European Continent The reduction Of
the rates Of interoceanic postage is step in the
right direction. The suggestions Of the Post
master General in favor Of the appointment Of
. superintendent Of foreign mails, and par ticu-
larly in favor Of lessening the humiliating
dependence Of the people and government Of
the United States on foreign ships to . great
extent for the ocean mail service, are worthy Of
serious confederation. The details Of the
Improvements adopted in the dead letter
department. the successful operation Of the
free delivery Of letters by carriers in fortyseven
Of our principal cities, and the advantages Of
the new post route mape, are very interesting.
In fine. the report is full of interesting details
on variety Of topics connected with the Post
Office Department, and will well repay careful
perusaL