The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-22

black gown with slit Tor riding the hood OF striped
white and yellow with skull and crossbones and
heart pierced with dagger, with the words .'Ku
Rlux Klann around the border.
Wells, Fargo q Co.'s Mail Contract.
Postmaster General Randall to-day submitted to
the circumstances connected with the making OF a
contract with Wells, Fargo h Co. for carrying the
mails between the termini of the Union Pacific Rail-
road. This report is made in reply to request OF
one OF the members OF the Committee on Post Olces
and Post Roads, ana efectually disposes OF the var
GUS statements that have appeared In the news
papers recently charging fraudulent action on the
part OF the Postmaster General In awarding the con-
tract to Wells, Fargo Co. when other persons bid
at q much lower figure Tie report gives IN
detail the whole transaction Of making the con-
tract referred to, and il accompanied by tue
correspondence that occurred In connection
with It, Mr.. Randall states that the next
available offer to that OF Wells, Fargo Co. was
that made by Mr. Spades, OF Chicago, who en-
gagged to transport the mails, as the postal laws
stood at the time the contract was advertised, for
1886 600. But after the change made in the postal
laws by Congress, which caused heavy increase In
the weight Of the mail matter, Mr. Spades required
additional stipulation that he should receive
pro rata increase on all mail matter transported after
October l, in excess OF the quantity transported
before that date. On careful estimate, based on
the reports OF the Postmasters OF OF the larger
cities In regard to the increase In bulk and weight
OF the mails since the passage OF the new
Postal act, 1t was found that the proposition
of Mr.. Spades would make his compensation
Tor the year foot up TO $3,0s7,5S3. The
bid made by Wells, Fargo Il Co. before the
change In the postal laws was $780, 900 and alter
the change in the laws their bid, was 81 00O
companied by stipulation providing that pro rata
decrease in this sum should take place on the
completion OF each section Of the Pacific Railroad,
which, OF course, diminishes materially the expense
OF carrying the malls in stages An investigation OF
this proposal, estimating the distance over which
the mails were to be carried at s37 miles, shows that
by reducing the amount OF compensation according
to the progress Of the railroad from October 1865
Juy1 1862 when it is expected that the railroad will
have been completed, the amount Of compensation
received by the contractors will be $780, l4 This,
1t is estimated, viii fall short OF the
expenses OF the contractors by about from
$1,000 to $1,000, and 1t Is believed that
The company will be obliged to call upon Congress
for relief Before concluding any contract the Post
master General wishing to have the advice OF Others
In the matter visited New York and laid all the pro-
posals before Senator Morgan, Senator Cole, Horace
Greeley, Postmaster Kelly and anumber OF other gen.
temen. These gentlemen advised Mr.. Randall to
accept the bid OF Wells, Fargo Co., as being the
most favorable OF all presented From the calcula-
tons made OF the cost OF transporting the malls be-
tween the termini Of the Union Pacific Railroad 1t
was estimated that 1900 horses would be required.
Surprising that there should be mail station every
ten miles OF the route taking the whole distance at 800
miles, it would be necessary to have twelve horses
at each station, making 900 horses for carrying
the mails. Then 1t is estimated that 1t Will
require at least 240 more horses to trans
port forage for all these animals. Then when the
number OF men necessary to take care OF these
horses, the number Of wagons needed and the high
price Of forage considered, it was not thought
that the compensation asked for by Wells. Fargo d
Co. was OF all unreasonable. The Postmaster Gene
raj in conclusion requested that committee be ap-
pointed to investigate the whole matter.
Detention Of the Overland Mails.
Mr.. Geo. w. Mcclellan, Second Assistant Postmaster
General has written letter to Senator Ramsey In
relation to complaints made by California and Mon
tana papers regarding abuse OF mail matter in transit
on the overland route to California In this letter
Mr. Mcclellan states that this and other similar com
| plants have been brought to the notice OF Wells
Fargo Co.. the contractors for the transportation
Of the overland mails with directions to take promp
| and effectual measures to correct the abuse.
1 Internal Revenue Appointments
The following Internal Revenue appointments wer
| made today
.St0Tekeeper--W. Nelson Place, Third district o
Gamgers-H. d. Rose, Twenty-seventh district o
| New York; william q. Wilson and w. j. McCurdy
| First district OF Ohio.
Revenue Collectors for Louisiana.
| The President to-day nominated TO the Senate W.
O. Taft as Collector OF Internal Revenue for the
First district and Adolphus B0uchard Collector
ana James Hart az Assessor for the Third district
| Louisiana.
United states Supreme Court Proceedings.
In the Supreme Court to-day the following cases
| were disposed Off
| No. I25-Gordon VS.. The United States.-Appeal
| from the Court OF Caims.-The Court affirmed the
opinion OF the Court Of Claims, that an award made
by the Secretary OF War IN the case was null and
void, on the repeal OF the Joint resolution directing
the secretary il, aud that the action founded
| on that award must be dismissed. The act OF tht
Secretary In making the award was held to be minis
| terial only and not binding on the government.
| No. 59-Chcago and Rock Island Bridge Company
| ys. Aforementioned by a divided court.
| No. I4-west ct al vs.. City Of Aurora.-Action on
/ menced. Mr.. Henry Stanbery, late Attorney Gen.
| eral, appeared for the defendant IN error.
| The Chief Justice announced that the court would
adjourn the cath inst. TO January 4, ana on that
day the docket OF original actions arising under tn,
| constitution viii be called.
| Holiday Week mt the War OGice.
The Secretary OF War has directed that during the
holiday week the Office hours OF the bureaus or the
War Department be from nine O'Clock until twev,
| NJ. and that but half the general force remain on
| duty during those hours.
| Cannon for the kearny Monument.
! The President has approved the bill giving can
non for the erection OF a monument to General
| Kearny.
/ Naval Orders.
| Lieutenant Commanders X. X. Duer and ;. w
| Ferry have been ordered to the receiving ship Yer
| mont. Ensign +. II. Parker has been ordered tc
4 Mound City station. Acting Master william Barry
more and Acting Assistant Surgeon Smith have beef
| honorably discharged.
| Bill 10 Protect Criminals from Popular VIC
Ience.
The bill recently introduced into the Senate by Mr.
Trumbull to prevent repetition OF such crimes b!
| popular violence as that which was recently con.
mtted at New Albany, I'm Indiana has, It is under
stood, the approval OF the Secretary Of State. II 4
| as follows:-