The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-06

The Postmaster-G eneral mentions the fact that no
American vessels are engaged in the foreign mail
Propositions have been made TO this department
by parties represented as responsible and exec
the conveyance OF the United States mails 10
European ports by Anne rcan steams hips Of the nr
class and OF equal speed to the fastest steamers now
carrying the mails, at a compensation limited to the
amount OF sea p0stageB, upon condition that the
department should bind itself for long term Of
years. subject to the approval Of Congress- and some
have offered in this connection to fix the rate OF sea
postage at two cents per half ounce But, as the
general law relating TO contracts for carrying the
mails on the expressly limits the authority OF
the department to O term not exceeding two years
have declined all proposals TO contract for longer
time, not desiring in any manner to forestall the
action OF Congress upon subject OF so much I'M
fit be possible, should greatly prefer such legs
lation by Congress as would 80 far revive and en-
courage our own shp-building interests as to
able American builders and mechanics to enter into
active competition In the construction ana equip
ment OF steam vessels with the builders and me-
be decided that this cannot be done, then would
respectfully suggest the prOpripty or so modifying
our navigation laws as to authorize the Issuing OF
American registers to such foreign-buit steamers as
may be purchased and employed by citizens OF the
United States under contracts with this department
in the transportation OF our foreign mails.
Should either Of these recommendations be
adopted, and authority given 10 the Postmaster
General TO contract for the conveyance of malls by
sea for term Of ten fifteen years, at a cOmpensa-
on not to exceed the ocean pOstages, 1t is believed
that lines Of irst-class American steamers VIZ uld be
and frCights across the Atlantic, and that thereby
great benefits would inure to the commercial aud
other interests OF the United States.
The following is list OF the officials exercising the
franking prvilege:-
President OF the United States and his secre-
dTy...................',..,. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Nlce-Presldent. .........,.,..,.....,...
Members OF the Cabinet. ..................
United States Senators. Observation-Disclosures. "a
Members Of Congress. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 4l
Delegates in Congress. sS.........................
Secretary OF Senate AMI Clerk OF House OF
Representatives.. Observation-Disclosures. 2
Assistant Secretaries, Chief Clerk, ETC., State
department. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Assistant Attorney. General and Chief Clerk. 2
Assistant Secretary, Commissioners, Chief
Clerk, etc, Interior Department. ........... 10
Chiefs OF Bureaus, Chief Clerk, etc, OF Navy
department. .:......:......,........... II
Chiefs OF Bureaus Chief Clerk, etc, of War
Department. ............................ 21
Assistant Secretaries, chief clerks, etc, OF the
Treasury Department. ent........................ AZ
Assistant Postmasters-G Genera supeTinten-
dents OF foreign mails, and money order sys-
TEN, and chief clerks Post Onlce Depart
ulenl, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
40
Add Internal Revenue officers assessors and
assistant collectors and deputies) ......... Alb
Posmasters on 1st Nov. 1862 9............ 27,37s
Total. 81, ,s39