Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-12-04
Report of the Postmaster General.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.
The report of the Postmaster General is
completed.
The revenues for the year ending June 80,
1874, were $24, ,596, ,56S, and the expenditures
S32, 126,414. The estimated expenditures for
the year ending June 80, 1876 are S36, ,94, ,034; ;
total estimated revenue, 500, l4S, 156, leaving
deficiency to be appropriated out OF the gen
eral treasury Of $7,S15,S7S. These estimates
do not include appropriations for steamship
service and stamps, amounting TO S2,O9S, 300.
The use of the registered-letter system Is stead
lily increasing. There has been a marked gain
in the time of transporting through mails, an
average gain from New York to San Francisco
of five hours and thirty-two minutes, gain
for mails to New Orleans Of two hours and
fifty-seven minutes, and going north of one
hour and fifty minutes, and perceptible gain
on all through routes in regularity and GER
tainty. The foreign mail system is in better
condition than ever before. The number Of
postofficcs is operation June 80, 1874 was
"a, ,294; total number Of appointments during
the year, 9,428. The results of the eXten-
sions of the letter-carrer system are of the
most gratifying character. There has been a
gain of over 30 per cent in the amount of
fees received from money orders. There has
been only one erroneous payment in 59,677
payments, and only "A in all. The increase in
money exchanges with Great Britain and
Switzerland has been very marked.
NEWSPAPER POSTAGE.
BY an act of Congress approved June %,
1874, IL is required that on and after the lst of
January, 1875, postage on newspapers and
periodical publications mailed from known
office of publication or news agency, and ad-
dressed to regular subscribers or news agents,
shall be charged at the rate of two cents per
pound If issued weekly or oftener; and at
three cents per pound If issued less frequent
ly than once week. The act provides that
matter shall be weighed in bulk and prepaid
with adhesive stamps to be especially
devised for the purpose. lhe manner
of applying stamps is left discretionary with
the department, and a system, which 1t is
hoped will work satisfactorily, has been de-
vised for carrying the law into effect The
stamps are now in course of preparation, and
will be ready at the time appointed for their
use. II is expected that the revenues Of the
department from postage on printed matter
will be increased by the enforcement OF this
act, Notwithstanding that rates are cheaper
than before, as now postage viii be pre-
paid, while heretofore much loss has
been occasioned to the department
on account of the non-collection of
postage at the point Of delivery.
THE MONEY ORDER SYSTEM.
The money-order business of this depart
ment appears to be rapidly growing in pub
lie favor and is undoubtedly very great
accommodation to large number of persons
who are not within reach of banking facilities
or who are unaccustomed to the use of them.
Yet i see no reason why this branch Of
service should not be made self-sustaining,
The apparent profits Of the money order
system during the last year are about
$lO5OOO, while certain expenses TO the
amount Of $lS2,000 for clerk hire
and stationery i'm the Postofiice Department,
Auditors office, and for money-order clerks in
the postOfflce are not charged to the money
| order business but are paid out Of appropria-
| tions; or that, while the money order system
appears TO yield revenue OF $105,0O0, there
Is, in fact, deficit of $4,000. suggest,
therefore, that the fees Of money orders be
increased in accordance with the views of the
Superintendent, submitted herewith (see ap-
pendix), orthat the money-order system shall,
like any other business, be made to defray all
| It's own expenses.
TRANSFORMATION OF MAILS.
The number and length Of mail routes in
| the United States require an expenditure for
transportation which dwarfs into insignif-
cance the cost of similar service In other
countries. For the year ending June 80, 1876,
1t is estimated that this item alone will exceed
Sl0,000000. The portion TO be paid TO rail-
roads win amount TO more than $4,000, 900
| Opinions have differed widely as 10 the best
method of determining the rlghtful rates OF
compensation 10 be paid TO the railroads for
services rendered 10 this department
Heretofore their pay has been based on the