The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-12-10

every man entitled to cast vote may 90 So
lust once at each election, without fear or
molestation or prescription on account of
his political faith nativity or color
The POstmaSter-General's Report.
The Report of Postmaster General Cres-
well is a clear, business-like paper, showing
the working of the mail system of the
country, with its mutitudinous network
of routes, aggregating in length 231, 232
miles, and i'll annual transportation, 81, O24
996 miles. The public press of the country
generally speaks in commentator of Mr.
CreswelTs administration of the Post-O Office
Department. The Philadelphia Press says:
"The Report, Us 4 whole, is concise and
clear in statement, abounds with interest
ing statistics, and contains many important
recommendations, whose adoption will
contribute largely to the economy and eff
cheney of the postal service.
"Mr Creswell shows that the affairs of
his department are in healthy, and, in
fact, steadily improving condition. The
revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30
were $40, 772, 220.05, and the expenditures
of all kinds SEQ, 99S. S37.63, leaving def
Cl6uCy VI Olly pr stS IL
deficiency of $5,353, G20.7S for the fiscal
year 1863. The increase in revenue for
the year 1870 over the year 1869 was
| 81, 427, 7O9.93, or 7.7S per cent, and the
increase of expenditures $500, 706.13, or
1.32 per cent, showing net increase in
revenue of 81, 1877, 003.S0. The increase in
revenue for the year 1870 over the year
| 1868 was So, 479, 619.Sj, 21.35 per cent,
and the increase of expenditures for 1870
over 1868 was 81, 1858, 244.9S, or 5.57 per
| cent. The increase in revenue for 1870, as
compared with 1869, was less than the
| increase for 1869, as compared with 1868,
was less than the increase for 1869, as COM
pared with 1868, by 1924, 1890; and the
increase in expenditures for 1870 compared
with 1860, was less than the increase for
1869, compared with 1868, by $500. z. -
Mr.. Creswell recommends the enactment
of law authorizing increased compensa-
ton to railroad companies for carrying the
mails. On this point the Report states:
CATER careful consideration of the
subject, am satisfied that the compensa-
! ton fixed by law is not a fair return for the
important services rendered by railroad
companies, and hence repeat my recon-
mendation that readiustment of their
pay be made by law, and that, at the same
time they be required to enter into con-
tract with the department as a condition
precedent to drawing any increase of COM
pensation."
He also repeats the recommendation of
his last annual report relative to the neces-
sity of some legislation to encourage the
establishment of American lines of trans
atlantic steamships for the transportation
of our mails to Europe.
The following extract from the Report
will give some idea of the Importance Of
the Dead Letter Office:
"The number of packages and letters
containing .iewe1ry books, and other prop
crty was G.921, OF which 4,74O were deliv-
cred and 2, 1S1 were filed for reclamation.
The number containing photographs was
| SO, 009, of which 32, 97S were delivered and
5,O31 were filed. The number containing
receipts, bills of lading, &c, was 27,454,
of which "a, 200 were delivered and 3,254
were filed. The number containing postage
and revenue stamps and articles of small
value was As, 457."
Mr.. Creswell again calls the attention of
Congress to the abuse of the franking priv
ilege, and urges the necessity of its abso-
lutte repeal. The Report argues in favor of
prepayment Of postage on all matter,
except county newspapers confined to their
circulation in the county where they are
published.
The adoption of new feature of cor
respondence is recommended in the form of
Correspondence Cards. On this point
the Postmaster General says:
"My attention has been directed to the
new system of correspondence or post
cards lately adopted by North Germany
and by Great Britain for facilitating letter
correspondence, and already extensively
used in those countries. These cards are
made of good, stiff paper, of convenient
form and size. The front or face of the
card is ruled for the insertion of the
address, and bears the post-ofiice stamp
On the reverse side there is room for short
letter or message, which may be printed or
written i'll pencil or ink. They require no
| folding or envelope are specially adapted
for circulars or short communications, and
are furnished to the public at the value of
the postage stamp impressed upon them,
which is in Great Britain half penny,
being one-half the established inland letter
rate of postage. The advantages claimed
by their use consist in the increased celer-
ity and ease of business and social inter
communication, by dispensing with much
of the ordinary epstolary form and appl-
ances, and by having always at hand, ready
for use at any moment-in the street, on a
journey, or in places where pen, ink, paper
and envelopes are not accessible or readily
attainable-the essentials for letter. For
many messages where the telegram is now
used-such as orders, invitations, inqui-
rieS, or other requirements of business or
social life-thcsc cards would he welcomed
by the public as simple, inexpensive, and
convenient means Of intercourse They
would create new postal business, augment
the number of correspondents, and greatly
multiply the occasions and opportunities
for writing. The want has been long felt
of some such prompt and easy mode of
communication by mail, adapted to the
| convenience and habits of business NEIL
as well as of that large class of persons
who have not the time OF the inclination to
write formal letters, and therefore seldom
make use of the mails. Believing that the
employment of these cards would be bene-
fetal to the public and result in Il large
| increase OF correspondence, | respectfully
recommend that authority be given by law
| for their introduction into our postal ser
vice, at the rate of one cent each, including
the cost of the card, as a first step towards
general reduction of our domestic letter
postage.
W" Intemperance will hardly "pass
muster" The subject is well conceived,
but lacks care in composition, and requires
more thought in working up. Too many
words and lines are introduced for the sake
of rhyme alone. This never fails to mar