The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-12-11

ended June Soth, 1873, amounted to $22.-
99o, I4l 81, and the expenditures of all
kinds to $29,0S4, ,945 81. The increase in
revenues in 1872 was 81 ,0S1, ,315 90 and
the increase in expenditures s., ,465, ,733
Independent of the payments made from
special appropriations for mail steamship
lines, the amount drawn from the gener-
al Treasury to meet deficiencies was S.
265,475.
The constant and rapid extension of
our postal service, particularly upon
railways and the improved facilities for
the collection, transmission, distribution,
and delivery of mails which are constant
ly being provided, account for the in
creased expenditures of this popular
branch of the public service. The total
number of Postofices in operation on the
30th of June, 1878, was 80, pa, net in
crease of 1881 over the number reported
the preceding year. The number of
presidential appointments was 1868, an
increase of 1853 during the year. Total
length of railroad mail routes at the
close of the year was 6,345,7 no, an in
crease of 81, ,466 miles over the year 1872
Fifty-nine railway Postoffice lines were
in operation on the 30th of June, 1873,
extending over IA, 500 miles of railroad
routes and performing an aggregate ser
|
ters exchanged with foreign countries
was q, ,459, 185, an increase of 1896, ,685
over the previous year, and the postage
thereon amounted to $2,021, 80 sc, and
| the total weight of correspondence ex-
changed in mails with Europeen coun-
tries exceeded 912 tons, an increase of 90
tons over the previous year. The total
cost of United States ocean mail steam
ship service, including 1925, 900 paid from
| special appropriations to subsidized lines
of mail steamers, was 81 ,O47,271 80. New
or additional postal conventions have
been concluded with Sweden. Norway
Belgium, Germany, Canada, Newfound-
land, and Japan, reducing postal rates
on correspondence exchanged with those
countries Intellectual efforts have been
made to conclude satisfactory postal
convention with France, but without sue
cess. l invite the favorable consideration
of Congress to the suggestions and rec
concentrations of the Postmaster-General
for an extension of the free delivery sys-
tenn in all cities having a population of
not less than 10000; for the prepayment
of postage on newspapers and other prin-
| ted matter of the second class; for uni
form postage and limit of the weight of
miscellaneous matter; for adjusting the
compensation of all Postmasters not ap-
pointed by the President; by the old
method of commissions on actual receipts
of the Office instead of the present mode
of fixing the salary in advance upon spe-
cial returns and especially do l urge fa-
yorable action by Congress, on the i'm
portant recommendation of the Postmas-
! ter-General, for the establishment of a
United Sta tes postal saving depository
Your attention is also again called to a
consideration of postal telegraphs, and
the arguments adduced in support there
of in the hope that you may take such
action in connection Herewith as, in
your judgment, will most contribute to
the best interests of the country. \
THE BNKRUPTcY ACT.
1 have become impressed with the be-
lief that the act approved March 2, 1867,
entitled, "An act to establish a uniform
system of bankruptcy throughout the
United States, is productive of more
| evil than good. At this time many con-
| siderations might be urged for its total
repeal, but if this is not considered advis-
able think it will not be seriously
questioned that those portions
of said act providing for what is called
involuntary bankruptcy operate to in
crease the financial embarrassment of
the country. Careful and prudent men
very often become involved in debt in
the transaction of business, and though
they may possess ample property, if it
| could be made available for that purpose
to meet all their liabilities, yet, on ac-
count of the extraordinary scarcity of
money, they may be unable to meet all
their pecuniary obligations as they be-
come due, in consequence of which they
are liable to be prostrated in their busi-
ness by proceedings in bankruptcy at the
instance of unrelenting creditors. Peo-
| l.. " 81 -
/ etary matters that the mere filing of q
petition in bankruptcy by an unfriendly
creditor will necessarily embarrass and
oftentim accomplish the financial ruin
/ of responsible business men. Those who
| otherwise might make lawful and Just
arrangements to relieve themselves from
difficulties produced blythe present strin-
gencyin money are prevented by their con-
slant exposure to attack and disappoint-
ment, by proceedings against them in
bankruptcy. And, besides, the law is
made, in many cases by obdurate credi-
tors, to frighten or force debtors into a
compliance with. their wishes and into
acts of injustice to other creditors and to
themselves. I recommend that so much
| of said act as provides for involuntary
bankruptcy on account of the suspension
/ of payment be repealed.
Your careful attention is invited to the
subject of 80"
CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
and the facilities afforded by existing
laws for their prosecution. Each of the
departments of State, Treasury, and War
have demands for many millions of dol
lars upon their files, and they are rapidly
accumulating. To these may be added
those now pending before Congress, the
Court of Claims, and the Southern
Claims Commission, making in the aggre-
gate an immense sum. Most of these
grow out of the rebellion, and are inten-
| ded to indemnify persons on both sides
for their losses during the war, and not
| a few of them are fabricated, and suppor-
| ted by false testimony. Projects are on
foot, it is believed, to induce Congress to
provide for new classes of claims, and to
revive old ones through the repeal or
modification of the statute of limitation,
and by which they are now barred. l
presume these schemes, if proposed, will
be received with little favor by Congress,
| and 1 recommend that persons having
claims against the United States cogniza-
| BILE by any tribunal or department there
| of, be required to present them at an
early day, and that legislation be direct
ed, as far as practicable, to the defeat of
unfounded and unjust demands upon the
government. And | would suggest, as o
means of preventing fraud, that witness
es be called upon to appear in person to
! testify before these tribunals having said
| claims before them for adjudication.
| Probably the largest saving to the nation
! al Treasury can be secured by timely