The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-11-18
Postal improvements.

Mr.. JEWELS extension of the system Of fast
1nstal trans to all the large cities of the coun-
Try is proving very popular move on his part,
md as the difficulties which numbered it's first
rrials are being remedied the great beuetits to
ne public become apparent. AT the begin
ing there were obstacles that seemed to seri-
eIlsly interfere with the advantages of the sys
IN. and led to the question being gravely
considered whether the Postmaster General
was not undertakinga project which could never
ne satisfactorily consummated. 1t needed care
tul attention to the necessities and convenient
eps of the terminal points OF the routes, and
= so to those of the important towns and cities
:pon them, to adjust the service SO that the
.nals should not only travel faster, but they
lould also be taken up and deposited at suita-
ale hours. BY the exercise CT close attention
i the arrangement OF the schedules these re-
--'llts have been accomplished so far as is pos
>iDie when such various Interests were to be
consulted and such a vast expanse Of territory
10 be covered, and from all points the Depart
inent is now receiving praise for the complete
ness Of the arrangements and the perfection
With which they are carried out. Taking New
York as the centre, the service between that
city south to Washington, east to Boston,
northwest to Chicago, and west to st. Louis
and Cincinnati, has been so quckened by the
E,st trains that tie saving OF time amounts to
from two to seven hours. according to the dis
tlnce. Obtaining their morning mail flom
New York before the closing OF business i'll
ane afternoon is a great advantage to Baltimore
t,eopIe. and it will be further enhanced when
5he Philadelphia Company puts on a fast train
arriving here by midday, which it sannounced
tllis morning Will be done between the Goth
and 25th OF this month.
The western cities ale particularly we'll pleased
aver the new system, which brings them six
80 eight hours nearer to the East. 1t not only
benefits St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati, but
=llso the populous regions and the great mum
Ger of towns tributary to them. The next
fnove being urged is shat the system should be
extended throughout the Southwest to New
orleans. What Mr. Jewell has already accom-
R3lished in the way OF auymenting mail facill-
ties is very generally commented upon as an
evidence of the value of having Il NAH Of large
business capacities and public spirit at the
head of affairs. Some Of his predecessors
have made advances in the efficiency of the
Postofiice Department that were OF considera
ke benefit to the country, but none OF them
in recent years have made progress at all COM
lnensurate with that which marks his admins
tration. OF all the departments OF the Coy
ernment, the Postotice is most intimate rela-
ted to the people, and they very quickly feel
and appreciate any Improvement in
its usefulness, Mr.. Jewe;l's efforts, however,
are not confined to the railway service. Some
llmc ago three experienced special agents and
experts in the different branches OF postal
work were detailed to make a thorough in
spection of the offices in New York, Philadel-
phia, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, st. Louis
Cincinnati with q view Of ascertaining with
what degree of efficiency the service at each
is performed, what amendments can be made,
and how it may be generally bettered. This
commission is getting through its work slowly,
and its report will probably be ready side OF
two weeks. With this report for a guide, Mr..
Jewell VIII proceed to make every possible i'm
proEement i'll the New York office first, and
(hen the others will be required to work up to
II. This is an excellent idea, and when Mr..
Jewell applies his executive ability to perfect
ing the office machinery we shall look for as
great an advancement over present methods
us the first trains were over the previous trans
portation Of the mails.-Ba1timore A&nerican.