The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-06-04
Prom the Dubuque Times.
THE eUBJECT OF POSTAL RE.
Fob S...lmP ORTANf
OH So.

FOh m S.ss1 m y ORTANf
CHANGES.
OF the many subjects Of special inter-
est commended from time to time to the
attention OF the American people, in the
way of administrative reforms and im-
provements, nothing, perhaps, has marked
the progress OF the age more plainly than
the great advancement made in postal
matters. The new " money order" sys-
TEN, although long in use abroad, is Just
about to be brought into use here as
most beneficial improvement on the old
method Of transmitting small Sums of
money over wide extent of country,
whilst in the other changes contemplated
by Congress at the suggestion of the Post
master General, the enlightened friends
OF the Government will see that our pro-
gress is encouraging in the attempt to
to keep in the front rank of an enlight-
ened advancement.
Amongst these changes, however, is
one which, in itself eminently reform,
seems TO have produced not little alarm
amongst the many postmasters relied upon
for an enlightened cooperation in carry
ing on the business of the department
and this expressed fear is on the score of
possible curtailment of their rates OF CON-
pensation. Nothing is further from such
result, as will be learned by brief ex
PLANTATION Of the matter in question. As
the case stands at present, fifty thousand
folios OF transcript are sent TO Washing
ton each quarter, from but five postoffices,
to enable the Auditor to keep the office
accounts correctly. The reform in cues.
ton proposes to do away with all this
TO SO simplify the method of Going bust
ness. that whilst sill parties are saved in-
mense labor and perplexity, the compea-
sation OF the Postmaster remains the same.
But perhaps the best explanation of what
Is contemplated in the direction indicated
can be had from letter addressed by the
Postmaster General himself to the Chair
man OF the Committee on Pos. Offices
and Post Roads of the House of Repre-.
sentatives. We give an extract:
The hrst seven sections refer to the
mode of compensating Pos,masters, a
subject winch has heretofore claimed the
attention Of Congress, and one which
consider OF the first importance to this
Department. The following are among
the most prominent reasons which prese ut
themselves to my mind In favor of fixed
salaries instead OF commissions for Post.
masters.
Under the existing law, minute ac-
counts are kept of the postage on all mail
able matter sent aud receive ed. paid as
wei as unpaid, involving the necessity of
employing many clerks in postofiices for
this particular purpose, and also in the
office OF the Auditor OF the Treasury for
the Postoiiice Department., where the ac-
counts Of Postmasters are examined.
Thus. from Boston, New York, Phila-
delphia. Cincinnati and Chicago-only
five postofices-6fty thousand folios OF
transcript are sent to the Auditor each
quarter, the originals being kept in those
Offices. The whole bulk of accounts from
all the poetoiiices can be reckoned BY tons;
and they are mainly kept for the purpose
OF arriving at the allowances of Postmas-
tiers, which are estimated on the amount
OF postage collected. For any other pur-
pose the accounts of mails sent and re.
ceived are practically useless. The great
mass OF mail matter 10 prepaid by postage
stamps, which are charged to Postmas-
tiers, and for which they are held account
able. In this way the revenues of the
Department are sufficiently protected. IF,
then, the compensation OF Postmasters be
liked. as proposed by the bill 10 question.
no accounts will be required of mail mat.
ter prepaid by stamps, and the work in
all the postofices will be expedited. with
great saving of labor and expense. The
accounting in the AUDITORS Office of this
Department will be much simplified, and
there will be no difIicultyin holding Post.
masters to strict responsibility each quar-
Ter; whereas, now, in the ordinary course
OF business, the accounts of a Postmaster
Tor given quarter cannot be ad;usted
until after the end of the quarter follow.
ing.
There will also be a considerable saw.
Ing In the items Of blanks Tor postoffiees.
The estimated cost Of paper and printing
next year is nearly 100000, while the
proposed change in the form Of accounts
will require less than one fourth of that
expenditure.
Z" The present law limits the commits.
sion OF Postmasters to two thousand dol.
lars per annum, and also forbids allow
ances irom other sources beyond that
amount. so that, in fact, the Postmasters
OF all the principal Offices already have
hxed salaries, Tin no case exceeding four
thousand dollars per annum, though tbev
can only be paid after. presenting yolum;.
nous accounts on each aud eycrv lat,ar
mailed. and of numerous rates OF com mis-
sions, differing according to the character
OF the mail matter, and also ACCORDING -
amount, there being no less than ton
rates. Other changes and credits in m
account current number twenty FIVE
making in all thirty-fve heads of calcula.
ton; whereas, by the proposed new Law.
oil accou nts will be reduced to the simple
forms.
"ibe rule for fixing salaries is such a.
81 ebsufe ample justice to all Offices: and
Che prnyisien for revising the class;f;c.t;a.