The Portland daily press., 1864-06-03
SELEC TIONS.
The Subject of Postal Reforms -Impor-
tant Changes.

tant Changes.
From Ms Baltinsre american
or the many subjects Of special interest
commended from time to time to the attention
of the American people, in the way of admin
istrative reforms and improvements, nothing
has, perhaps marked the progress of the age
more plainly than the great advancement made
ia postal matters. The new "money order"
system, 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 Postmaster General, the enlightened
friends Of the Government will see that our
progress Is encouraging in the attempt to
keep in the front rank Of an enlightened ad-
vancement
Amongst these changes, however, is one
which, in itself eminently reform, seems TO
have produced not a little alarm amongst the
many posimasters relied upon for an enlight.
ened cooperation in carrying on the business
OF the Department; and this expressed fear is
on the score of possible curtailment Of their
rates Of compensation. Nothing is further
from such result, as will be learned by a
brief explanation Of the matter in question:
As the case stands at present, .ilfty thousand
folios of transcript are sent TO Washington
each qndrter, from but flee postofices, to ena-
Bile the Auditor to keep the Office accounts
correctly. The reform in question proposes
method of doing business, that whilst all par
ties are saved immense labor and perplexity,
the compensation Of the postmaster remains
the same But perhaps the best explanation
OF what is contemplated in the direction iadi-
Gated can be had from letter addressed by
the PostmastepG General himself TO the Chair
man of the Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads of the House of Representatives
We give an extract:
The first seven sections refer to the mode
of compensating Postmasters, a subject which
has heretofore claimed the attention OF Con-
gress, and one which | consider of the first
Importance to this Department. The follow
ing are among the more prominent reasons
which present themselves TO my mind In favor
OF fixed salaries Instead of commissions for
Postmasters.
Under tleexsting law, minute accounts are
kept OF thepostage on all mailable matter sent
and received, paid as well as unpaid, Involving
the necessity of employing many clerks in
postonces for this particular purpose, and al
SO in the office Of the Treasury for the Post
office Department, where the accounts ofPos
masters are examined.
Thus, from Boston, New York, Philadel-
phia, Cincinnati aud Chicago-only five Post
offices--ffty thousand folios of transcript ara
sent 10 the Auditor each quarter, the originals
being kept in those offices. The whole bulk
of accounts from all the postoiiices can be
reckoned by tons; and they are mainly kept
for the purpose OF arriving at the allowance
TO Postmasters which are estimated on the
amount of postage collected. For any other
purpose, the accounts of mail sent and receiv-
ed are practically useless. The great mass of
mail matter is prepared by postage stamps,
which are charged to Postmasters, and Tor
which they are held accountable. In this way
the revenues of the Department are sufficient
ly protected II, then, the compensation Of
Postmasters be fixed as proposed by the bill
in question, no accounts will be required Of
mail matter prepaid by stamps and the work
in all the postoifices will be expedited, with a
great saving of labor and expense. The ac-
counting in the Auditors Office Of this De-
partment will be much simplihed, and there
will be no difficulty in holding Postmasters TO
now, in the ordinary course OF business, the
accounts of Postmaster for given quarter
cannot be adjusted until after the end Of the
next quarter.
Tnere will also be considerable saving in
the items OF blanks for post-ofiices. The es-
tmated cost Of paper and printing next year
Is nearly one hundred thousand dollars, while
the proposed change in the form of accounts
will require less than one-half Of that expen-
diure.
The present law limits the commissions OF
Postmasters TO two thousand dollars per an
mum, and also torbids allowances from other
sources beyond that amount; so that, in fact,
the Postmasters of all the principal Offices al
ready have fixed salaries, lin no case exceed
ing four thousand dollars per annuml though
they can only be paid after presenting volu-
minous accounts on each and every letter
mailed, and OF numerous rates OF commissions,
differing according TO the character of the
mail matter, aud also according to amount
there being no less than ten rates. Other
changes and credits in an account current
number twenty-five, making in all thirty-fye
heads of calculation; whereas, by the propos-
ed new law, all accounts viii be reduced to
the simplest forms.
The rule for fixing salaries is such as to en-.
sure ample justice to all offices; and the pro.
vision for revising the classification must have
the effect to stimulate Postmasters in per
forming their duties, lest they should suffer
reduction of salary for diminished business
whilst they have the assurance Of prope
addition for an enlarged business.
The reasons for special legislation in tn
case of The Postoffice at New York, are obvi
Gus. Its net revenues to the Department ar
now at the rate OF nearly one million of dol
lgrs per annum-one hundred per cent aboy
every other office. The business connection
with the foreign mails alone entitle that ofiic
TO a separate classification, while its other in
terests and responsibilities are equally com
manding. and entitle Ii TO a correspondent
distinction in respect to emoluments.
These are interesting facts bearing upo
the needed and contemplated reform-fact
in which the people are vitality interested
because the more simple the machinery
government can be made in any Departmen
the nearer 1t approaches that standard whicl
since the foundation of republican institution
In this country, has been the desideratui
sought.
To recur briefly. The contemplated r.
form proposes TO divide the compensation
Postmasters into five classes, the first to r
ceive not more than four and not less ths
three thousand dollars, and so on down to Il
fifth, which from the business done affords lie
than one hundred dollars. BY increase ofbI
iness an Office may be elevated to a high
class, thus presenting stimulant to each Of
Ger to do his duty in every respect. The po
Office incumbents should hail this reform
one which, whilst it does not curtail their S