Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-04
REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GEN
ERAL,

The ordinary revenues OF this Department for
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1871, were $50, ;
O31 ,04542, and the expenditures of all kinds,
S24 800, 10i.0s. The increase of revenue for the
year 1871 over the year 1870 was 81 15I 66 II, or
G-3 per cent, AMI the increase of expenditures
Sl,oil ,ajO.4J, or AS per cent. showing a net in
crease in revenue of s116 1912. The increase
in revenue for the year 1871 over the year 1869
was = I'D S69.T0, or 1872 per cent, and the in
crease of expenditures for 1871 over 1869 was
81 ,251 ,g2.5S, or 5.il per cent. The increase in
revenue for 1871, compared with 1870 was less
than the increase for 1870, compared with 1869
by S5O, O42.l6; and the increase of expenditures
for ISL, compared With $780, was greater than
the increase for $50, compared with 1869, by
$40, 59O.32.
If, in addition to the ordinary revenues, the
priated for transportation of free matter and
the amounts drawn and expended for subsidies
70 steamship lines, ii will appear that the de-
nS6sy out % 5ss general
1865 for the year 1870. The increase in the
issue of stamps, stamped envelopes and news
paper wrappers this year is 81 ,l72,769.25
There were in the service of the department on
the 30th June, 1871, Z ,2s6 contractors for the
transportation of the mails OF mail routes in
operation there were 8 95l, aggregating in length
exclusive of special routesl 238 $50 miles. in an
nusl transportation 107 5. ,19i miles aud It an
nually cost sll ,529 1876. Adding the compensa.
ton OF railway post-ofice clerks, route-a,yents,
local agents. mail-messengers, msil-route mes
e C.. -
tered passages, amounting to 81 ,SI5,526, The a.
gregate annual cost was 81, i04 ,92l.
There was an increase over the preceding
year in length OF routes of III miles, in annual
transportation 10 ,5i7 ,79s miles, and in cost
S644,I+2 Adding the increased cost for railway
post Ofce clerks, route, local, and other agents,
Sii Go, the total increase in cost was 81 049 3Is.
The increase IN railroad routes in three years
exceeds IS per cent, and in the last year alone
IL reached the unparalleled proportion Of IL per
cent.
Tba poetuas,ar na,ax,i 1890. -. 1890.
mendatiOn of last year that railroad companies
carrying the mails be allowed reasonable in
crease Of compensation upon condition that they
shall enter into contract with the Department
for the prompt and faithful performance Of their
duties.
The Postmaster General renews his former
recommendation for an increase OF mail service
to semi monthly trips on the route from San
Francisco to Japan and China
He again calls attention to the importance OF
judicious legislation to encourage tie establish
ment of American mail steamship lines He
refers to the postal conventions concluded dur
ing the year, and to those nov In progress OF
negotiation. 2.4G new post ofhces have been
fiscal year, the number Of money-ordes ofiices in
operation was 2,0g6. On the 3lst of July, 1871
$40 additional money-order Offices were ostab-
is at present 2,452. The Postmaster General
recommends the passage by Congress OF q more
stringent law in regard to bidders for mail ser
70 o1:s sS
imprisonment
In regard 70 the postal telegraph, he saws Il is
bp far the most impoItant subject now inviting
consideration in connection with the transmits
sion and interchange OF intelligence. The gov
ernments Of the continental countries Of Eu-
rope have, with few exceptions, claimed and
exercised for years past the right OF controlling
and managing the electric telegraph, and in
every instance with q degree Of success com.
mensurate with the care and attention be-
slowed upon their respective administrations
IL remained for Great Britain to give practical
test OF the public system as compared with the
management OF corporations and companies OF
private stockholders. At first, serious difficul-
ties were encountered, but these, however, were
soon overcome, and the advocates of the meas
ure can already boast OF its triumphant success.
After presenting some data In relation to the
service, the Postmaster General says: "These
facts, all tending, with Overwhelming force. in
one direction, demonstrate conclusively the
utility of the postal telegraph for both govern
ment and people. IL Is true that a large sum of
money viii be required for the purchase OF the
present telegraph lines and their appurtenances.