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TIE PosT MASTER GENERALS REPORT The condition of the Department at the present time, pared with that of 1899, shows the extraordinary development and increase of the resources and inter course of the country. The Post Offices have increased from about D to 13 ,45S and the routes from ,S75 miles to 155, ,739 and the revenue from S37,936, to s4,539 265; and yet the expenditures, we are sorry s2lS,sS5. ~ m w

 Sincesthe Department has become extensive in its operations and the heads of from time to lime have been ready and anxious to yield 10 the wishes both of ,elitical parties and the public, wonder that its endeavors have outstrppcd its means, and that, sharing the fate in degree ofthe untoward- ness of s times it has failed to make its resources meet it's expenditures To remedy this evil, the Postmaster General has yenured upon course of partial retrenchment, which will enable the Depart ment in future nearly to balance is expenditures with its revenue. Its income, however, he iniimates, IS liable be affected by the business of the country, and fuctuaies with the times. We hope, therefore,

 change of times will restore the Department to Its woaed prosperity.

 But there are other causes which have operated to diminish the revenue of the department-a great extension of the franking privilege, and piopor- tonate tax upon the revenue to pay the charges of the Posmasters made upon what has been thus frank ed. Another cause, is the facility afforded by the modern improvements in travelling, of transmitting letters by private conveyance and still more con- siderable cause, the many private expresses that are establislied which, oustrpplug the mail frequently, are preferred as the medium of transmission.

 Much difficulty has been experienced in contracting with the Railroad Companies. The rate of charge has been considered quite too high. In consequence of the Department being limited to certain rate per mile and therefore unable at all times to effect the transportation of the mails through this medium, the Department has frequently been charged with the fault that belongs entirely to the Railroad Companies

 Th,s evil, it is to be hoped, will be remedied

 The estimated expenditure and income of the Department for the last year shows excess of the former of about $ll0,000, leaving this amosnt charge upon the Treasure; but to remedy the evil in furture the Postmaster Generalpropose to reduce the expenditure by reducing the commissions of the Post masters, charged upon the franking privileges.

 The estimated expenditure and income of the De- partment stand thus fT1

 Expense of mail transportation, $3,l45,0 ,000 Commissions to Postmasters, l,Ol6,oOO Ship, steamboats, and way letters, 20,O0O Incidental expenses, blanks, stationery,

 printing, 3lo,ooo