Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-30
Annual Report of the Postmaster
f.anaraN

The annual report of the Postmaster General
shows that the revenues for the year ending
June 30th, 1874, were S24 596, ,5eS, AMI the ex-
penditures s32 ,l26, ,4l4. The estimated expenses
for the year ending June Seth, 1875. are s36,-
9t4, ,o3i, and the estimated revenue S29 1lS, ,I55,
leaving deficiency OF S7Sl5,61s. The Pose
master General fully approves the extension of
the letter carrier system, and the working of
the money order business. In discussing
THE QUESTION OF NEWSPAPER POSTAGE
ne ventures the opinion that the revenues Of
the department Srom this source will be IN
ere Gsed by the enforcement of the act of ,Juns
23d, 1874, which requires that after the ist OF
next January postage on newspaper and perlodi-
cal publications mailed from a knOSD Office of
publication or news agency, and addressed to
regular subscribers or news agents, shall DO
charged at the rate OF two cents per pound, IL
issued weekly or OfteneT; anu at three cents per
pound, il lssGed less frequently than oncs a
week. The act provides mat matter shall be
weighed III bulk and prepaid with adhesive
stamps TO be specially devised for he purpose
Tie manner of applying stamps Is left dis.
cTet5Opary with the department, and q systsn
which 1t Il hoped will work satisfactorily, has
been devised ter carry Ing the law nt0 effect.
The stamps Sre now in course OF preparation
and viii be ready at the tine appointed Tor
their use.
The subject Of the trans oortation Of the msifs
is also discussed. Nj. Jewell thinks that the
sboIitloD 81 the ranking privilege opens the
way for reforms, which vii ultinsieIy make
the depaT tment self-s ubStainiug.
TIE DEFICTESSY DIFFICULTY.
The report closes as follOSs: For the first
ums IL the course OF life devoted actively 70
tuslness, find myself in charge OF an estab-
lshment the expenditures OF which largely ex-
ceed its recei iptss state OF affairs which strikes
with great force mind more or less disciplined
by hat close inspection OF accounts sntoTcedin
me Tesrtile pursuits. III ordinary business at
taiTs there is bat one eDd to this condition OF
th5ngs-bankTuptcy. The deficiency OF this de
partnent has varied Of late Years fE0m Is TO 70
per cent, " hlie from the best data at lny com
mand | have been compelled to submit esti-
mates for the wear ending June 80, 1875, which
viii show an expected excess Of expenditures
over receti Is OF pearly SS Qg1, ,O0O, or about 25
yer cant or the entire revenue OF the depart-
Tnent How far The American people will os
willing to go II this direction Sem airs 10 be
seen. The difti icuities in tns way of adopting
ard enforcing policy 9f economy y hich, while
properly guarding the revenues OF the depart
ment shall also afford tn the new and growing
patrons of our country the mail facilities -
which the enterprise OF the people entitle them,
are few or small, bit in some way they can and
must be So mounted. | deem it suitable TO say
here that l propose TO guard with strict vigil
alcu the expenditures Of tois department sane
noniHg 10 outlay which can be avoided without
dettImebt 50 the service, and so to conduct its
8haiIs generally that the interests of the public
shall be paramount to those o. any individual
corporation, or party"