Alexandria Gazette

DELAY OF THE NORTHERN MAILS.—The New York Herald gives the following as the solution of the mystery for some time surrounding the daily detention of the mails on the through northern route: "The continued irregularity of the New York mail for Washington is becoming intolerable. Inquiry at the Post Office Department shows that the detention is entirely north of Baltimore, and that the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, instead of being at fault, is the only company—barring unavoidable detentions by accident—that has promptly fulfilled its part of the contract. It is stated by the Post Office officials that frequently the mail has been brought from Baltimore to this city by special engine, when delivered behind time to the Baltimore and Ohio company, and is never on their road over sixty minutes,

"It is also said, in defense of the postal arrangements, that these delays were very seldom known until the Pennsylvania Central railroad, which controls and owns the route from Philadelphia to New York, and the Baltimore and Potomac railroad from Baltimore to Washington, ten days ago begun its action against the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company."