In Philadelphia alone this drain averaged $5000 per
quarter; and in other cities of the seaboard it was proportionate.
(7) The embarrassment of the department was increased by the illimitable,
uncontrollable, and irresponsible scattering of its funds from
concentrated points suitable for its distributions, to remote, unsafe,
and inconvenient offices, where they could not be again made available
till collected by special agents, or were transferred at considerable
expense into the principal disbursing offices again.
(8) There was a vast increase of duties thrown upon the limited force
before necessary to conduct the business of the department; and from the
delay of obtaining vouchers impediments arose to the speedy settlement of
accounts with present or retired post-masters, causing postponements
which endangered the liability of sureties under the act of limitations,
and causing much danger of an increase of such cases.
(9) The most responsible postmasters (at the large offices) were ordered
by the least responsible (at small offices) to make payments upon their
vouchers, without having the means of ascertaining whether these vouchers
were genuine or forged, or if genuine, whether the signers were in or out
of office, or solvent or defaulters.
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