The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-12-17
THE POaT1EASTER GENE gAE's
REPORT


issues.
THE TIEASTER GENEBAL's
EXPORT.
The Postmaster-G General reports that dur
ing the last fiscal year the financial condition
Of his Department has been one of unusual
prosperity. The revenue has nearly cqualled
the expenditures, the latter amounting to
I'll, 314, 206. "a, and the former to 81, l63,-
1889. There is good reason to believe that
the Department will be self-sustaining in a
brief period of time.
The whole number of Post Offices existing
on the 30th of June, 1863, was 29,047.
Eight hundred and thirty offices have been
established, and 658 have been discontin-
ued.
The number Of special agents on June, 1868,
was Is, with an aggregate salery of 26, 500;
and 387 route agents at an aggregate outlay
of $289, $50; also 10 local agents at $4,000.
Baggage masters in charge Of express mails
had received 81,
The total cost of transatlantic mail steam
ship service was $342, 184.80. This price COW
cred 1872 round trips to various European
ports.
The Postmaster-Gener regrets to state
that no progress has. been made in negetia-
tions for u new postal convention with Prus-
STA, embracing the States comprising the
German Austrian Postal Union, on account
Of some obstacle presented by Austria in re-
gard to territorial transit charges.
lie renews his recommendation Of March
Sd, 1862, to the postal committees in Con
gress, that all private ships departing from
the United States for foreign ports should be
required, as a condition Of clearance, to con-
vey mails on such terms as may be allowed
by Congress.
During the year the increased length of
routes has been $685. miles, but the annual
cost Of mail transportation has decreased
$113,2 or about 2 per cent.
The value of stamps issued to Postmasters
during the year is 50, $50, 1892; stamped let
ter envelopes, 1854, 821, and stamped news
paper wrappers, $50, 545. The total value of
these sold to the public was So, 1914, 529. 49,,
being an excess over the previous year Of ST.
TIA, 397.73.
The Postrnlster-Genera renews his last
years recommendations to Congress to au-
thorize him to adjust and allow the claim of
postInasters who have sustained losses of
stamps and stamped envelopes by reason Of
the occupation and robbery Of their offices by
bodies of armed men.
These claims thus far presented amount to
about $4,000. lie calls attention, aslo, to the
fact that these postmasters ave suffered
greatly III the loss of private property.
lie requests additional legislation in respect
to post office thetts, and recommends that the
stealing Of letters and stamps be made a pen
al ottense.
THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE.
There has been a continued increase of let
tiers containing money and other valuables.
The number of dead letters covering deeds,
bills Of exchange, drafts, and other valuable
papers, received, registered, and returned for
delivery to the writer's, was S, 1922, with an
aggregate nominal value of 81, 534, PITS
of these 1859 were delivered to the owners.
Letters registered and mailed, containing
money, numbered IS, 219 of these, Is, O48,
containing 1913, 627.72 were finally deliver
ed.
Sixteen thousand seven hundred and sixty
three letters Of less value were received, near
ly ten thousand Of which contained daguerre-
and 8,273 were restored to their wri-
tiers or owners.
The Postmaster General recommends that
a postal money order system be established,
to facilitate the transmission of small sums
through the mails which he IS confident would /
prove not only a great convenience to soldiers
and citizens, but also almost entirely obviate
the loss Of this class of r~emittances.
In regard to letters addressed to points in
the rebellious States, the Postmaster General
By reason Of the continued suspension
Of regular postal communication with sections
of the country under insurrectionary control,
a considerable number of letters, amounting
in the aggregate to "a, 314, found their way
by various channels, to the Dead Letter Office.
Of this number 3,313 were foreign, and were
to the countries where they origina-
ted. Those originating in the loyal States
were turned over to the military authorities,
and, after examination, most Of them sent by
flag OF truce to their destination.
The Postmaster General has instructed
postmasters to forward to the Dead Letter
Office, except in special cases, all letters re-
naming unclaimed one month after being adj
vertised, instead Of two months, as former
Iy.
In conclusion, he asks the consideration of
Congress Of the revised code of laws submit
ed by him at the last session, which is main
a digest Of existing postal laws.