Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-08


PolIuCians and journalists OF the penny wise
pound foolish school than why cannot
The Post Once Department be made self-sup-
porting ?" This inquiry is squarely met and
CCnclusively answered by the Postmaster Gen.
eTal IN his report 10 Congress for the current
year.
Referring 10 the increased expenses of the
postal service, he takes the broad ground that,
based as they are upon public necessity and
public demand, they are properly a cause for
COngraiElatIOn rather than encouragement
And this Is true; for they are a sure indication
OF increased facilities ana extended communi-
cations. Yet. the proportion Of deficiency to
revenue Is far less now than IN 1850, notwith-
sanding the fact. that so large a part Of the
postal sery ice suspended during the war has
been restored. and that new service equal to
one-third OF that formerly required has since
been created by Congress. But, the reasons
rhy deficiency exists is stated In the follow
ing pungent manner:
The majority Of the Southern States have
never paid their own expenses for postal ser
wee They will not do so for a long time TO
come. With the exception of Iowa and Mis-
sCuII- none of the States or Territories west of
the Mississippi nver have ever paid a revenue
equal TO their postal expenses. The cost of The
transportation OF the mails in all new States
and Territories, and in all sparsely populated
Peruons OF the country, never has been paid
by those States or Territories out of their own
revenues. Its only a. population and busI-
n-ss increase, and the country Is developed,
that postal service can be self-sustaInIng
The IDEA that the Post Office Department
can be seIf-sustaIning, in the present condition
az the county, l. absurd. II cannot be, and
ought not 10 b., for fifty years 10 come. The
revenues viii largely increase, and SO will X
peLdItuTeS. Ten years hence L estimate the
expenses Of the Post Office Department AZ
S4'.t,I ODE. and the revenues at S3u.sA,gO1.
VeS INST 90 m a long thaa
prOspers- and mineral, agricultural. and COM
merCial business increases. The mines are not
Yet all developed. The lands are not all cuItI-
Nat' The MYERS are not navigated. The
railroads are not all surveyed. The cities are
EC1 ali Guilt. The SEA has not given Us all We
have right 10 exact. Our country is not
finished CEul il Is finished. BE- is not a wise
nCr a sagacious man who assumes that the
postal service will pay for itself
Ii Post Oftce department can be- made
sef-susialnlng IN one way, and that is by cut
ting on the postal service IN the States and Ter.
rl'OIles " here the receipts for hostages are not
equal 10 expenses. This would exclude all but
Iowa and Missouri west of the Mississippi. and
all the States oysrbOrne by the rebellion. Ii
could further economic by Withdrawing all
aIG from the China, Brazil. and Sandwich
Islands steamship lines, thus saving S125UOU.
IL could save Ss@5,0to by abolishIng the lerIrT-
carrier system for the cities. II could also
economic 10 the extent of over S7OJ.OUO by
Overturnlng the system of postal cars. II Is
true that III public estimation the letter carriers
for cities are thought TO be almost indispens-
able, but the system costs money and brings
small revenue. IL Is all dis oursement ana no
receipt. What If from twelve to twenty
four hours are saved in the TRANSMISSION
OF nails between Washington and Gin
CInnati, OF 81. Louis, or Chicago. aud the
whole west and northwest, by these travelling
post offices, which put off and receive mails
" lille travelling at thirty miles an hour and
which receive mails, make up mails, and dis
Tribute mails as they 20 hurryIng along IL
costs money. and the government, like a mIser,
can keep its money IN lis chest. II gives no Ie-
turn and helps nobody, but is safely boarded.
a battling. umId. Illlberal policy like this will
ave one million and lose twenty. Every dollar
put CUT by the government in subsidies TO build
railroads III subsidies 10 and ocean commerce,
AZ liberal appropriations 10 open lines of travel
and develop material resources a great nation
Ike this, ls money put ont al exorbItant usury,
rIal wealth. and in making the nation great
AID Tlch and strong N everything of value and
interest to a great people"
1t l. not often that we find in a departnen tai
report subject of such general interest treated
Il SO forcIble and comprehensive a manner
L he whole case Is there presented IN a nut
she'll The department can De made not only
s"lt-supporing, but a so URGE OF profit, II the
people 20 desire. We incline. 10 the opinion.
however that they viii b. slow TO give up he
improvements inaugurated so successfully by
Gov. Randall and his immediate gu ccessor and
go back to the old order of things for the pur
pose Of saving the comparatively trifiing sum
they cost The requirements of the &c, no less
than the spirit of progress and improvem IN I
We are glad 10 see cabinet officer who has
both the will and the courage TO place the pub
lie good above dollars and cents.