The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-15
FEDyRs.L CFFICE AFFAIRS

|
Great Centre for DtstrfSuting stamp.
end Stamped Enveiopes-Fhs Average
amount Of Registered Mail Matter I'm
TrSSsit-hstes FOR Registering Lettsrs-
Fereagn Ststistfes-Custom House Ar.
h@irs-'oods Imported for This Market
Sent Back to Europe.
IN the HERALD Of the 9th inst was published an
account OF the business transacted at the New
YORK Post ONCE and OF the fabulous Increase I'm
money order rentals since the system OF paving
iunds on the vouchers OF poStmasters has been In
vogue To-day an exhibit or the Registry Depart.
ment is given. which will not 0aiy prove highly in
teresting to the reader, but will convey an adequate
idea OF its immense proportions. The Post once
authorities have thrown every possible safeguard
around the mode OF Transmitting money and yalu-
ables through the mails and endeavor to make the
service as efficient and convenient to the public
as the most fastidousy inclined can DESIRE and at
this time the mail service OF the United States VIII
compare in bright contrast with that OF the most
favored nation OF the Old World.
The rapid increase OF business In the Registerea
Letter Department or the Post Olce has compelled
Postmaster James to rent the entire second noor
OF the premises In Liberty street. adjoining the
'old church" building. In order to accommodate ita
growing needs Carpenters and masons have been
ut work for several days making alterations, and
before the close Of The week the addition will be-
ready for occupancy and use. A large proportion
OF che labor connected with this Depar ment arises
from
THE REGISTRATION or THREE CENT AND OTHER
sTAifrs
as well as stamped envelopes, supplied TO all tho
post offices in the United States. 1t may not be-
generally known that all postage stamps and
stamped envelopes used in this country are manu-
featured in this city and from here forwarded to-
their various destinations. Before being sent to-
Qp avn at,,Tlv
packages and addressed to the different posI-
masters who have ordered them. They are then
Systematically registcred-the same care being
be5tOwed upon them as registered letters. receipts
given and taken by route agents, &c. There beng
seen that an immense number s required
TO be forwarded each day. In addition to this
ranking privilege necessitates the use Of
official postage stamps OF different denominations
the C and 10 III oees ese
be registered as well, and the additional labor
consequent thereupon has called into requisition
all the hands In other parts OF the office who could
be spared from their regular work Postal cards
are also registered In transit TO postmasters who
have ordered them from the Post Oi1ce Depart
REGISTERED PACKAGES IN TRANSIT
average 125 daily; those addressed to Postmaster.
New York city. average 450 daily, containing from
1000 to LOCO letters for city delivery and dlsribu-
at the desk Of the General Post once and over
$50 daily at the stations. Immense amounts Of
this channel and as no record Is kept OF the value
enclosed in the letters no estimate can be formed
%s see s
THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SYSTEM.
Registration was unknown in this country pre-
organized at the New York office, four clerks for .
considerable time being able to perform al the
for several years to register generally being re.
garded premium on spoliation: In 1850 $1,000
To At
fee was only nye cents, the safeguards being
put ut twenty cents, which secured to the sender
. receipt and advice afterwards OF the faithful de-
cents, which is exclusive Of rostage-three cents
each half ounce Early IN june 1867, the old In
issed and nd a new system was introduced,
which has by constant Improvement reached
either ' from loss or tampering. p the principaI
feature Is the use OF package envelope $50 called.
almost Of the consistency OF linen, in which the
velope being addressed to the Postmaster OF tho
place of destination and receipts for the same
given and taken at each stage as IL passes through
the hands OF postal clerks, postmasters, &c. until
1t finally reaches Its destination, the chain of pas.
extreme end. Where loss or delay occurs it viii
be that 1t is no difficult thing to trace to tho
FOREIGN REGISTERED LETTERS
The system Is constantly growing In favor a. q
tiers, 40, to the various parts Of Europe the
proportion OF foreign letters received by the regis
Companies and CORPORATIONS generally use it eS-
clusivey In transit OF matter requiring great nde-
week. the total
conveyed that year was 1900. Five steamers now
sail each week, averaging 600 registered letters
per steamship.
Registered letters despatched by foreign steam
ships from June to June 70, 1874 850l 1872 5,541-
ships from June to June 2s 1873 $685. 1872, 742.
This is the highest period Of the year.
The following exhibits the gradual increase Of
business In this department., Of the number OF let
ters &C., received and despatched during years