Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-12-12
Total payments. .......... ........ 4s,41s,6

The amount Of fees OF commissions received from
the public BY postmasters for the issue Of money.
These transsctisns exhibit an increase over 1871
Of % or about IS per cent in the amount
Of orders iesued Of 36,3si SOsG6, or about IS Id
per cent, IN the amount OF orders paid and Of
s9esi, or los per cent, in the amount Of fees
Tho average amount Of the money. orders issued
during the last yea! was $lSSe, being IS cents less
There were Lsss, or almost IS per cent, more
duplicates esued last year than during the pfevi-
GUS year. considerable portion Of this large In
crease is to be attributed to the destruction de-
facoment OF money orders by the great Arc at Chi.
cAgo.
nIscsLLANEoue-TRANKrNG PRrvrL4GE.
In my three previous reports. have urgently
recommended the immediate and unconditional
repeal OF the Thanking privilege. The experience
e. q the past ys;s has my conviction
ewctent, economical, and vigorous administration
o. our postal system.
sy 81 ne t. s % made s 2 csa
that the actual cost Of free matter, IL charged
with the regular rates Of postage, was then H.
As.ss7: = annually: During the late Presidential
increased, and think II safe to say that the free
matter carried during the past year, II taxed ct
.sd rates. would have yielded revenue Of
to the heavy loss Of revenue thus Indicated, great
inconvenience was Inexperienced from arrangements
Of the mails caused BY the immenee amount Of
free matter thrown suddenly, and without notice
or system, upon the postal routes Of the country
POSTAL THLE0RAPH.
The p. n. General continues by Z warm and
lengthy advocacy Of the Government taking into
its own hands the telegraph service o. . measure
service, and to the Government ;tself He cona
demns the eo-called Postal Telegraph Company,
which proposed to operate linds In connection
AMf Mv.A&
troll and operation Of such service by the Depart
While, As have stated. believe that improved
telegraph formidable rival OF the mail, which 1t
cannot be without large reductions in tariff, am
convinced by experience that these improvements
Of the people, and that, Whatever the rates NAV
be. the wires win be practically controlled by
one corporation 60 long q they remain in private
made, win. therefore, be more than commercial.
anced by the growth Of the evils attending the
management Of the tslsgraphs BY private mo.
Among these evils may be classed the possible
abuse Of the wires for personal ends by business
men controlling them; the enormous and danger
oGs extent q Tie ire:meseage business; the dis
toners both a. to rates and order Of transmission;
and the vast and irresponsible influence Of tele.
graphic managers over the press Of the country.
The salaries Of the heads OF bureaus OF this De-
partment should be largely liner eased The three As.
siftant Postmasters.0ene receive only $500
each per annum, and the superintendent OF for
efgn mails and the money order system each $1,000
per annum These suns are inadqnate TO main
their Seae ssa N
tire year. Tho ability, integrity, and Law orious
services OF these ofacers appeal strongly in their
With the highest esteem, / remain your obe:
dent servant, JNo. A. =. GREsSWELL,
Postmaster General.