Southern telegraph., January 15, 1836, Image 1

About Southern telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1834-1838

Image provided by: Mississippi Department of Archives and History

                
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THE SOU
TELEGRAPH
HIITI 1M1 POBLIflH KB UI KM,u
""MM B. r II. HI II.
nLVL ''AR ler year, in mdcanee, o
MX lit the rxpiratiou of the year.
.M Suhcriplious rteeued or a thorttrpc
Na UMM iu yr nr.
Ad(frii .
or les. for the rst in-
h aaUlti i :
aiuuuii,i; II 't l-
line for tl.p lir-t.
tli additional inscr-
ertiw: by the year, a
made.
UI III VI. OF THE Hi: VITIUJL.
V JOIIX B. DILLON.
Wherr shall the dead, and the beautiful sleep?
la the vale where the willow ami cypress weep;
Wbafc the wind of the west breatb'i itiiofVit ikh ;
Where like silvery stream U flowing nigh,
And the pure, clear drop! ol itl rising sprays
(ikter like Reius in the bright moon's rnv's
Where the sun's w arm smile may never dispel
Night's lean o'er the form we loved so well
in the vale where the sparkling waters flow;
Where the fairest, earliest violets row;
Where the sky and the Earth are softly fair,
Bury her there bury her tin re!
Where shnll the dead, and the beautiful sleep?
Where wild flowers bloom in the valley deep!
Where the sweet robes of spring may softly rest,
In purity, over the ilaeper'a breast:
Where is heard the voice of the sinless dove,
Breathing note; of deep and undying love;
Where no eolumn proud in the tun ninj glow,
To mock the heart that is resting below;
Where pure hearts are sleeping,' forever blest;
W here Wandering Perii love to rest;
Where the sky and the Earth are softly fair,
llury her (here bury her there!
itllSC I'M, 1 MUM S.
ti A MB LIU G.
Happy luflneace of a Wife.
" Why do you keep me for so long n time
at tho door? said Edward P. passionately to
his wife. The night had passed, but the
cold wind entered the house as Airs. P. with
a sorrowing heart undid the lock.
"It is late Edward, and I could not keep
from slumbering. "
He said nothing in return to this, but flung
himselfinachair, and gazed intensely on the
allis son climbed upon his father's
F .ci? whispered, "Papa, what has mamma
leen crying for? " Mr. F. started, shook ofl
his boy, and said with violence, " Get to bed
'sir; what business has your mother to let
you be up at this hour? " Tho poor child's
JowW lip pouted, but lie was at this time to
much frightened to cry. His sister silently
took him up, and when he reached his cot,
his warm heart discharged itself in noisy
'grief. The mother heard his crying, and
"went to him; but she soon returned to the
parlor. She leant upon her husband, and
thus addressed him "Edward I will not
upbraid you on account of your harshness
to me, but 1 implore yon not to act in this
manner before our children. You are not,
Edward, as you used to be! Those heavy
eyes tell of wretchedness, as well as of bad
,'nmm. You wrong me, you wrong yourself
thus to let my hand show that I am your
wife, but at the same time, let your heart
know singleness in matters of moment. 1
am aware of the kind of society in which
you have, lately indulged. Tell me Ed
ward for heaven's sake, tell me! we are
poor wo are reduced we arc ruined; is ii
not so?"
Edward had not a word to say to his wife,
hut a man1 tears arc more awful than his
words. ''Well, be it so Edward! Oir
children may suffer from our fall, but it will
redouble my exertion for them. A woman's
love is like the plant which shows its strength
the more it is I rodden on. Arouse yourself
my husband; it is true your father has cast
you oil", and you nre indebted to him a so
rioussum; but he is not all the world only
coasider your wife in that light."
A slight tap was now heard at the door,
and Mrs. F. went to ascertain the cause.
She returned to her husband "Mary is at
the door, she says you always kissed her be
fore she went to bed. "
" My child my child, " said the father
Gad I ess imu. 1 am not well Mary. Uu
to rest now; give mo one of your sweetest
smiles in the morning, and your father will
be hnppy again."
Mr. F. was persuaded by his affectionate
partner to retire; but sleep and rest were
ot for him. His wife and children had
eiven him happv dreams: but now the rum
he had brought upon them was an awaken
ins reality. When tho light, of the morn
ing faintly appeared nbovo the line of the
opposite houses, Mr. F. arose.
',Where are you going Edward?" said
his watchful wife. "
"I have been considering," he replied
calmly, "and I urn determined to try my
lather. Ho loved me when 1 was a uoy
was nrnurl f m Ii la true 1 have acte
dishonourably by him, and I should no doubt
have ruincri hi. vtarduv 1 spoke harsh-
ly of him, but I did
-v, HI,,,, lyjiw, J .
en know myself.
Your deep a
altered me.
ill, h is completely
forget mv it' le iii-
per towards y
will mako up for
it l will
Nay, do not
grieve iu this
worse to mo than
all. I will
The child
iba breakfast
th hor smile,
the notico of
room. JUarv w
nnrt tiift VuMi tuna
.w fil,l' i u.M.iTfime. Mr.r. returned.
"Why eopale my husband? Will not
your parent aiieist you?"
We miiat. sink uivlove! He Will 110
llcctiafHyv
9H Ww- .
nssist i.iaaSsiikBJJftu'UKlcd 1110 -1 did not,
Ho spoke
bit he cast
1 'j "i jo nun our iiii:c ones
us olfforever!"
The distressed mm had scarcely said this
wlion a person rudely came in. "The pur
port of his visit was soon perceived. In the
name of F's btak t...,i, . L
Ilka Mail, j h ..i .1...
I .. 1 ! .'"" "! oovverio m.iKe
r. a prisoner
n t tak c awav
pap,
" said
me inuo son, at llio sumo tune
the officer.
Bckias
u:
"Mmm, whispered M irv, "must fath
er go to prison? Won': they le"t us go too? "
"Here COIIICS mv ailthoritv " m1.I
deputy sheriff Tlie elder Mr F. dog-cdlv
placed himsolt'in a chair.
"You shall nottako my pap away, "cri
ed the. little boy to his grnndf uhcr.
" Whatever may have beoa mv conduct,
sir " said the miserable Edward, " this is un
l.iiid jljjfOU. J h ive not single feeling for
oiysefjBWrt niv vvife.mveMi
drea
you have
no right to harass theniwithi
in with you? presence
n
' -Nay husband,' responded Mrs. F. "think
not of me. Yu.ir father cannot dislreVs mo.
1 have not kn nvn you from your childhood,
as he has d.nic: but he shall tee how Icliti"
to you can he proud of you in yourpover-
tv.
lie lias tnpjotten Vour Youthful dars
lie lias
tout sight of Lis own thoughtless
yea it
The old gontleman directed Ids lawagen!
to leave the room, lie then slowly answer
ed llnis;
"Madam, I have not forgot my own
thoughtless days. 1 have not forgotten that
1 once b;,d a wile, as amiable and noble
minded as yourself, and have not forgotten
that your husband was her favorite child.
An old man hides his sorrow; but let not the
world therefore, think him unfeeling, espe
cially as that world taught hiin to do so.
The distress I have ibis moment caused,
was premeditated on my part. It has had
its full effect, A mortal gets at vice by sin
gle slops, and many think the victim must
retain by degrees." 1 know Edward's dis
position, and that with htm one leap was suf
ficient That leap he has taken; he is again
in my memory as the favorite of his poor
mother rhe laughing eyed pet ofpshaw!
of a an old foot! for w hy am I crying?"
Little .Mary had insensibly drawn herself
towards the old philosopher, mid without ut
tering a Word, pressed his band and put her
handkerchief to her eves. The boy also
L'lt
I'nt and walked
up to his
grandfulher, und leaned bis elbow on the oid
man knees, and turning up his round cheek
said, " then J on won't take papa awaj ? "
" N i, you lilile impudent rascal; but I'll
take you away, and when your mother
comes for you, I'd treat her so well, that I'll
make your father follow after. "
Thus came happiness at the heel of ruin.
If husbands olhier appreciated the exipiisite
and heaven-like affection of their wives,
many happier firesides w.aild be seen. "One
in love and one in mind," ought to be the
motto of every in u rie d pair. And fathers
would many a time cheek improvidence, if
they were to make use of reflection and loud
ness, rather than nreiudico and strictness.
B.mthiaxa. In the eccentricities of this
distinguished tragedian method is always
discoverable, and a deep meaning is some
times veiled if we ma y so say by his wil
dest freaks and foolicks. He was sometime
since at Louisville, Ky. and one morning
rang his bell violently. Up stairs rushed
ibe waiter fur he knew well the conse
quences ot not attending to his cue when
given by Mr. B.
Booth. Waiter! go into the market and
purchase two doves without spot or blemish
of plumage purely white or else your
head's assurance is but frail what are you
waiting fort
Waiter. The money.
lloolh. Ay so much of this shall make
black white foul fail ! Take it and be
gone! The doves were purchased and a small,
well finished mahi cany coffin also bought,
Too
aoves
neck
is were twisted bv the tr -
godiua in order that the innocent creatures
should no longer dwell in (Ids polluted world.
Mr. 15. ordered a carriage -Avas driven to
the residence of a distinguished minister of
the gospel, and entered tho sanctum of the
worthy and dis;iuguished divine, haudker
chiof in hand.
Booth. I come sir to request you toper
for ihe last offices of religion the funeral
ceremony. Here a burst of griefinterrop
ted his utterance
Minister, Calm yourself, my dear sir
the body of man is mortal but providence
is good and just, and
Booth. Mustering his emotion. They
were two of the most iunocont creatures
ihnt ever drank in joy with tho pure air the)
breathed, young victims!
Minister. You arc their fathor, sir, I pre.
sumo?
Booth. I (heir father sir! Were my
progeny birds, tliey would be eagles not
pigeons.
MMHier, uui ao you meant You
wwish nie to perform tho funeral service for
two cliiUiien, oo ou notf
Booth. Sir! I interest myself for the
innocent alone doves, not children, will I
that you bury.
An explanation ensued the minister de
clined the office, though largo fee was ten
dered, nnd " the proud representative of
Shakespeare's heroes departed in high
dudgeon.
A boy. who had been sent ta the post of
fice after letters, on his return with the grea
test easOsatneas imaginable said to his fath
er, who by the w ay was a land speculator,
M Daddy, they've rS on letters tother
day 1 got one Un'tcn cents, and now they as!,
ninejencc, "
could not answer him a word.
.cr::zsr, (ii:ss.) tt.zzi
DOC i; MENTI
wvrii.v(Tiif rm:!IUiT'S M FFSAO K AT THE
or, , of tiii; rMR smsion or tiik
sweat! mmw oaaMam
To thv President of the I'nited State
1V1 Oi Kin: DafAKTMKvr )
1st December, iNItrv.t
Mil: Daring the year ending tho 3U;h of
June, 18.1 1, the pot routes of the I'nited
Slatescoveredab it one hundred an I twelve
thousand seven hund.od and seventy -four
miles.
In daily ami !e. s frequent trips, the nitiils were
curried on ih.-e route-, about 23,6G ',436 miles
vit: lti,ii"l,OjO miles in four horse post couches,
and two horse stupes,
7,817,073 miles on horse and in sulkies,
!) N59 in steamboats,
7iI,j04 " in railroad cars.
The number of post ollices ou the 30th
June last, was ten thousand seven hundred
and seventy, being an increase of tifty-four
within the preceding year.
The system upn w hich the books of the
Department have always been kept, pro-'
eludes an exact statement of the revenuo
and expenditure which hive accrued within
any given peri d. The following is behov
ed to approximate nearly to tho actual income
and accruing responsibilities, for tha last
fiscal years, viz:
(Jross revenue for the year ending thirtieth of
June, ls.il- ... - $$,833,743 31
CvtupeSMtioD postmas
ters - - - $!16,.'II7 ac
Incidental expenses - ii,7sji -jl
Transportation of the
mails - - 1,917,543
Total expenditure, - - - $,910,('i05 88
Balance against the Department, 86,861 71
Urois rev eime for the year ending
80th June, 1833 - - - $1,993,5315 66
coiupc 'ii.-ut ion to postmas
ters - - - $848,417 84
Incidental expenwi . 93,934 93
Transportation of the
mails - - - 1,719,007 33
Total expenditure - ... 3,337.880 08
Balance in favor of the Department $336,306 5H
In the first part of the year lHllo, addition
al allowances were authorized, bh is alleg
ed, amounting, on the first of May last, to
a ion t 157,000, which have since been
suspended, and do not enter into the forego
ing statement If fin illy admitted, they will
reduce the balance in favor of the Depart
ment that year to about SUlOO
The old books will be closed when all the
pecuniary transactions of the Department
prior to the first ol J ily last, arc brought up
on them. Statements made out from
these books and oilier data, show the condi
tion of the Department on that day, to have
lieen about us follows, viz
Due to Contractors and
others $793,381 93
Due to banks 373,000 00
Whole debt of the Department $1,004,381 93
Amount due to the De
partment $1,138,319 39
Deduct for bad and
doubtful debts 131,397 36
Dcbl esteemed to
be good
a-li on hand
$995,991 93
4.1,589 40
Whole available means
Balance of debt over available
means on 1 st July last
If the jii pended allowances be
added
$i,040,G8i :i:i
23,700 c9
157'000 00
It will make the debt exceed the avail
able means on 1st J uly last $180,700 69
The accounts of the Postmasters for the
quarter ending 30th September last, have
been so far examined as io show, satisfacto
rily, that the increase of gross revenue over
that of the corresponding quarter of last year
is about twelve per cent. The annual sa
ving in the recent letting of contracts was
abou! $30,000. Predic ated on an average
increase of revenue throughout the current
fiscal year of ten per cent, and on saving
of $25,000 when the contracts recently let
shall be executed with necessary alterations
an estimate ot (lie gross revenue i.ntl nc
cruing responsibilities for the year ending
oOth June, 18ob, indicates the following re
sult, viz:
Gross revenue for the year ending
30lh June, 1K36 - - $.,29,',692 00
Uompemntion to post
masters ' $1,039,958 00
incidental expenses 7iy)uu 00
Transportation of the
uiaila 1,706,507 00
Total expenditures
2,816,465 00
Balance in favor of the Depnrtmunt $476,337 00
Although the whole of this sum may not
be av ailable, on account of the usual losses
nnd defalcations, itis not doubted, that uided
by collections of outstanding balances, it
will be sufficient to pay off the debts of the
Department, and jeavo a considerable
amount applicable to an extension of mail
accommodations.
When the undersigned took charge of this
Departments his attention was immediately
called to the condition of its finances; but it
was found that no satisfactory account of its
debts or moans could, within any given peri
od, be obtained firofsi its books. It was only
perceived, from current incidents and de
tached accounts, that the unsatisfied de
mands of contractors from every huatter of
tho country wore dily accumulating; that
diere wan a debt ot near Md00,(XKJ due to
Hanks; that the outstanding acceptances of
die Treasurer exceeded $490,900; that a
aiderable portion ofthtl revenue of some of the
large offices, for the present calendar year,
bad been anticipated iy drafts discontinued
in Banks, which they had boen instructed
to pay at maturity; that additional allowances
bad been I'eceutly authorized to a consider
nU inn unit; that to provide tho means to
incut the demands on the Department ut
:,: c a, :A"r-ir.r
Washington, created by tbo system of ac
ceptances, upward of" two thousand of the
most tonsideraWo post offices had been di
rected to deposits their income in bank's; and
that these means proving insufficient, the
Department wasauljoet lecoatinual embar
rassments in devising ways and moans to
meet its engugciiouts. At the same time,
it was believed, on all bauds, that the cur
rent revenue of the Department considera
bly evvc.'cl its i-uifent C,k :i !:. :: e, end
the aggregate of debifwas in progros ofdi
miuulion. In this atate of thius. it wns
deemed expedient to make an eil'irt to ex-
tnhute the Department from its einbnrniss
meats. The measures resorted to for that
purpose, were as follows, viz:
1. A suspension of all recent allowan
ces from fie credit of tho contractors.
J. A refusal to accent or uav nnvdmfls
drawu on thcJDepartment, except by special
arrangement.
3 Tpplication of the income a the
current quarter to the payment of tint quar
ter's expenses, the surplus only to bo appli
ed to tin? payment of pre-cxisiing cliims.
4 1 lie introduction of a system winch
hould effect a more prompt collodion and
application of tho current income of the De
partment. 1 he iillnwances suspended amounted to
i bout $157,OGO. Without reference to their
merits, it was believed that a preference
ouyht to be given to other claims in making
navinents.
The discontinuance of acceptances was
essential to enable the Department to com
mand its means. A revenue arises wher
ever the mails are earned, nnd H would
seem obviously appropriate, as well as con
venient, that tho services of contractors
sboild be paid for in the sections of tho coun
try where they arc Nadered j nnd, as far as
practicable, out of tho income which thev
produce. But the practice of suffering tie.
contractors to draw for their pay, subjected
the Department to the ineonvenienco of col
lecting its funds from the postoffieea through
out tho Union, and transferring them to
Washington to meet the drafts. The slow
ness and uncertainty of this operation made
it an insufficient reliance to meet its accep
tances, produced the necessity of looking
elsewhere tor the means, and rendered it
diliicidt to manage Its finances with any
convenience or regularity.
By ping the expenses of the current
quarter at its close, and announcing a deter
mination to pay in like manner at the close
of each succeeding one. applying only the
surplus to the discharge of former debts, it
was believed that the credit of the Depart"
ment would immediately be elevated, and
thenceforward sustained.
Mi
Orders to depositc in banks, and drafts
on postmasters in favor of contractors, con
stituted the system of collection found in
opwmtiuo.j' Upwards of Iwo thousand post
tlices had orders to deposits, and upwards
f eight thousand were instructed to retain
their postages until draw n upon. Many of
the depositc offices were dilatory, and defal
cation anions theYn was not uncommon..
Many of the other offices were not draw n
upon for several quarters, on account of the
smallness of their income, or other circum
stances, The necessities of the Depart
ment compelled it to draw on the more pro
ductive ollices at the end of each quarter,
before their accounts could be adjusted ; and
its dratts being predicated on estimates.
could not be for the exact sum in hand. To
avoid the danger of a protest, in tonse
quence of drawing for too much, the Trea
surer generally drew too little, thereby leav
ing small balances in all the draft offices also.
There were, consequently, balances remai
ning in the hands of more than eight thou
sand Postmasters, which, though generally
small, amounted in aggregate to a large
sum.
For the purpose of promptly bringing into
actum the means ol the Department, at the
end of each quarter, the undersigned divi
ded the offices into three class. The firs!
class " Collection Offices," are upwards of
nine thousand in number. The postmas
ters of ihis class have been instructed to pay
on demand, at the close of each quarter, the
whole amount due the Department on ac
count of (he postage of that quarter, to the
contractors who carry the mails along their
respective routes, and forward their receipts
to the Department. The contractor arc
instructed tofy;-ward theiracknow ledemcnir
setting forth the whole amount received
liuni each and all the postmasters, and to
report forthwith every postmaster wne fail
to pay, and his reasons therefore, if known
to them. To secure promptness and fidelity
on the part of the contractors, they are per
mitted to collect only frean so many postmas
ters at may .m (hem about sorcm v-five per
cent., of their quarterly compensation, and
they are informed that the balance will not
be paid them until they shall have collected
from every office on their list, or shown, by
reporting the delinquent postmasters, that
they have used duo diligence to do so, and
are not in fault for the failure.
The second class, called " Depositing
0-fficos,n about five hundred and fifty in
number, are instructed to deposite their in
come in banks quarterly, monthly, or week
ly, according to its amount. This class em
braces nil largo offices and m st others
w hich can as Conveniently depo de as pay
to contractors, together frith the must consi
derable ot'iees on interior routes which yield
a surplus raven ic, and whose proceed:, can
not be used in paying the contractors who
supply iheuj.
Tho third clas-s, called " Draft Of res,""
about two hundred and fifty in number, em
brace those not convenient to banks, w hoso
procoeds cannot be paid over to contractors,
at the close of the quarter, without danger
of their being overpaid, but inuy generally
bo drawn for m whole or in part to pay the
15, 1 836.
balances d ir-, ufterghing the contractors
en it, lor all their collections.
The latereet of the conuactors induces
tbem promptly, alter the quarter ends, to
push thei. mllartri ms, and report all delin
quents. During the same time, Depositing
0 torn are piaesaf their funds in the banks.
When the contractor's acknowdedgement
lor moneys colle.-ted, comes in, his account
is examined. If the balance due, or any
part ot It, can be paid by draft on one or
more of the 1). if; O.ficcs, it is done, and that
which cannot Lo so disvbarged. Is paid by a
check mi some convenient bank.
The results anticipated troip these mea
sures have been fully re alized. On the 1st
July last, payments on claims accruing pri
or to tho preceding quarter, were suspend
ed, und all the energies of the Pay Clerks
were devoted to paying the debts of thit
quarter. These payments were completed
on tho 10th day of August, leaving a con
siderable amount of funds in bank. The
payment of the old debt was then resumed.
From that moment the Department was dis
embarrassed. In no instance since, has
the payment of any claim beeii refused for
ihe w ant of fun is.
On die first of October List, the new sys
tem of collection camo into, action, encour
aged by its favorable operation, and finding
late funds of the Department in bank o ex
ceed &l 1U0U, liie uudcrsiinied, on the 18th
of the iW month, directed the payment of
the bank debts in 15 d;imore and Boston, a-
imxinting to $(17,304 lis
The entire debt ou the tir.st of July, as above
stated, was - ... $l,06:,3al 9-'
Of this debt there has been paid
out of pottages ace ruing be
fore the tir-1 of Jul-, , about the
sasa of - - 409,991 M
Out of t be postage ac
ciuinc unco the 1st
Of July the sum of 187,086 14
$597,077 48
oiil drtit remaining tutpaid onthit
day , about ...
$167,077 38
Ofthis debt, nbout $-05,000 is due to
banks, and the balance to contractors and
others.
The statements of the amount of debt,
and me amount paid out of postages accru
ing prior to the 1st of July, are not suppos
ed to be exact, but they do not vary materi
ally from the actual amounts.
The result of these operations is:
That the claims of contractors and others
against the Department, arising within the
quarter endin- 30th June last, having been
paid, with the exception of a few suspen
sions.
Tint the claims arising within the quar-
ter ending 80th September last, have been
paid as fur as they were ready for adjust
ment.
That one hundred and eighty-seven thou
sand and eighty-six dollars of tho pre-exist-in-rdebt,
have beeirpaTdTJuTOf pnstages ac
cruing sinceS80th June last.
Tint ihe funds iii bank on this day, are
seventy-three thousand seven hundred and
thirty-seven dollars.
The payment of an amount of the old
debt So rer beyond the available surplus of'
tbo last quarter, leaving a largo sum on
baud, will create no surprise, when it is re
oollected, that, in addition to that surplus,
the Department has been able to avail it
self of a considerable amount stopped from
contractors, on account of over-payments,
and a still larger sum arising from the de
posites of the weekly and monthly Depos
ing Ollices, on account of the current quar
ter. The debt of the Department, except that
portion of it w hich is due to banks, and the
suspended allowances, is now perfectly
manageable, and cannot hereafter embar
rass its operations. The bank debt is redu
ced to ab;,ut $-2115,000
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As it bus already been ascertained from
examinations of thereturns, that the roven
no of tlie last quuiter exceeds that of the cor
responding quarter of the last year of about
twelve per cent., it may be safely stated
that ibe surplus revenue over expenditure,
for that quarter, will bo about $120,000;
und that there was, on the 30th September
last, a BWSpiiis of qynilahle means ovei tho
whole debt of the 'Department, amounting
lo about 100,000, It is confidently expect
ed lli.it this surplus will be increased, at the
end of the current quarter, to about $-'20,-000
j and at the end of the next quarter, to
about $.il0,C.y0. The old dobts due to.
contractors and others are now pni 1 as fast as
they are presented iiud'can he adjusted; and
the accumulation of funds notwithstanding
these payments, is so considerable as to jus
tity a belief that 100,000 of the remaining
bank debt may be paid in January next,
and the balance in April.
umbcr 4 J.
The undoningned takes pleasure in pre
senting you with tho data which justify this
anticipation. He is happy lo siy, that so far
from needing any pecuniary aid from tho
Treasurv, the Department mav be present
ed to Congress, before the termination of
their approaching session, substantially free
from debt, with a clear annual surplus ex
ceeding 400,000, applicfth to the esUbliab-
mem oi new mail routes, and the improve
ment ot old ones, tven should tho suspen
ded allowances be finally paid, the anticip
ated re- .il cannot be delayed beyond tjge
mom n oi j m y . indu.
A balance of the books of this Depart
ment lianot been effected jyarsttdt twenty
years. After a full considertBon of the
subject, tijhfcs decided expedient to close
them, anslPen a new set from the 1st of
Julv, 133. The balances of accounts aro
not carried forward from the old busjs to the
new, but all collections undo of money due
before that day, are credited to an account
headed " Arrearages, " on the new books;
and all payments made on dehta contracted
prior to that day, are charged to the same
account. That account, when closed, will
show the eact amount of debt and availa
ble means at the commencement of the pre
sent fiscal year; facts which cannot be soon
er ascertained with exactitude.
In keeping the new books, an attempt is
making through the agency of General Ac
counts, to show specifically, from what sour
ces the revenue of the Department is deriv
ed, and to what purposes it is applied. The
accruing revenue is credited to general Ac
counts, headed "Letter Postages," "News
papers and Pamphlets,'1'' and "Fines.'1'1 The
expenditures are charged to General Ac
counts headed, "Compensation of Postmas
ter " Trausportatidn of the Mads," "Ship,
Steamboat, aid Way tetters," "Wrapping
Paper," lOfce Furniture," "Advertising?
"Mail Bags," "Blanks," Mail Locks and
Keys, and Statnps," Mail Depredations
ana special Agents," "Clerks, iic.for Offi
eex," and "Miscellaneous." When the en
tire business of a quarter is brought upon
the iio-'ks, the credit General Accounts will
be balanceifby transfer to the credit of a
general account, headed "Post Office Dt
partment," which will thus exhibit, at a
glance; the entire income of the Post Office
Department for the quarter, and the sources
whence it is derived. In like manner, the
debit General Accounts will be closed by
transfer to debit of "Post Office Depart
ment," which will thus show, on a single
page, the whole expenditures of the quarter,
with the objects of expenditure . The bal
ance ofthis account, thus made up, will ex
hibit the condition of the Department at the
end of each quarter.
It has long appeared to the undersigned,
that by a system of this kind, the applica
tion of the public moneys maybe shown
more specifically than by any other system
of specific appropriation.
The efficiency of a department "with so
many thousand agents in its employment;
essentially depends on the vigilenceand en
ergy of tho directing and supervising power.
Impressed with this conviction, it is the pol
icy and the effort of the Departmdnt to make
the supervision so complete, that every in
dividual in its services shall feel that he acts
directly under the eye of some of its officers
or clerks.
To secure promptitude in the rendition of
accounts, the postmasters, with the excep
tion of a few at the large offices, have been
required to forward their accounts within
two days, or by the first mail, after the close
of each quarter. Asa means of enforcing
this requisition, the post offices are divided
into four classes, in reference to their dis
tance from Washington, and other circum
stances. For the arrival of the accounts of
the first class, ten days are allowed; for the
second, twenty ; for the third, thirty; and for
the fourth, forty. It is made tho special duty
of a clerk to note the day on which each
quarterly return arrives, and promptly call
all delinquents to account, when the allotted
time shall have expired. This plan of su
pervision was put in opctation at the com
mencement ot the present quarter.
lo produce an ever-active supervision
over contractors, it is made the duty of post
masters at the ends of all post routes, to keep
and return to the Department, weekly or
monthly, according to the importance of the
route, registers, showing the exact time of
arrival and departure of every mail, with
such remarks as the occasion may require.
It is made the duty of a clerk, in each divis
ion, to see that tho postmasters keep and
return these registers, to examine them
when returned, and note all delinquencies
of contractors. This plan is not yet in fuH
operation.
It is intended to apply the same principle
of striot supervision to the return of receipts
by postmasters; to the making ef depositee
by the depositing offices, and the forward
ing of certificates of deposite; to the print
ing and furnishing of blanks; and, as fares
practicable, to all servi js required by law,
and the regulations of the Department.
Sufficient attention has been given by
the undersigned to the manner in which
newspapers and other printed matter are
conveyed by mail, to satisfy him mat it is
radically defective. No supervision or
power of punishment, exercised or possess
ed by the postmaster General, is adequate
to prevent, on some occasions, the cauvaM
liags in which printed papers ore stowed,
from boing left behind, so long as they are
carried separately from the letter mails, or
on the outside of co ,cbes and stages. To
prevent the evil in some degreo, it has been
provided in the contracts lately awarded
in the main routes to the wost, that on we
outward trip, no pissengors fh-ill be car
ried in the inside of the mail coach, but that
it shall bo devoted exclusively to tbe mails;
and on similar routes along Ihe seaboard,
the same restriction will be applied in both
51,