New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-23
SHREUD POSTNASTERS.

THE SALARIES OF COUNTRY OFFICIALS AUGMENTED
BY uLEoITIMATE SALES OF sTAMPs-MoDEs or
OPERATING.
A large number Of pOstmasters, chiefly from
country districts, have recently been removed iof an
OF their privileges in selling posfageslainps 30 as
increase their salaries BY the law OF June rs 1874,
annual salaries OF postmasters OF the hrst secohd
and third classes gagged by adding 70 the amount
Of boxrents exceeding 81 900, commissions also not
10 exceed $1,000 on the sale OF postage at the
following rate namely On the first 800 per quarter
so per cent; all over 300 and not over sioo pr
quarter 40 per cent; on all over 500 and not over
81 400 per quarter per cent. For the compensation
OF fourth postmasters It was provided tat II should
be go per cent on the first $780, so cent on the next
$500 or less and 40 per cent OF all In excess OF siOo
This rule was framed for the benefit Of postmasters Mt
small cross road offices, Who under the old rule,
OF payment received too little compensation ior
their work. 1t was intended in the new
law that postmasters should sell stamps ony
to those mailing letters at their offices, but TINS spirit Oh
the law was overlooked and posmasters soon sought %
increase their salaries by extending their sale OF stamps
There were various ways Of doing this in which they
were aided by respectable business men with whom
they dealt who did not consider the Transaction DIS
honorable, but simply sharp practice" For example,
country postmaster who, as often happens was also
merchant would go to the nearest city where the post
master received stated salary, and buy bill OF goods
bargaining with the city merchant to pay partly OF
wholly in postage stamps, which would be entered on
the books OF the country Office regular SALE and out
Of the proceeds of which the postmaster would retain
his commission when he made his quarterly return.
Another plan was to offer merchants $1,000 or SO
worth OF stamps at handsome DISCOUNT and thus Sc
large postal revenues at their little oces wen
egtmately belonged the city offices. II said That
next to the lar gest misunderstanding firm IN Newfork
all OF its stamps in this way, saving great deal IN
the course q year and that many other merchants In
this city habitually purchase ali their stamps nom
friends who pOsmasters at small Offices Inc al
vantage this apparent that some persons one
man in partc in this city, went into stanpbroker-
age "a profitable business buying their stamps al
large discount obscure offices, and selling them 70
business men with advantage TO themselves. cnul
Oct !, 1874. there has been no law winch
made this an ofense, but now II II a mis-
demeanor, and has been discontinued The postmaster
from whom the stamps bought IN such TRANSACTION
Is yet considered iable to any other tnan
removal unless conspiracy between several iostnas-
tiers and Others proved buy and sell stamps Tor
mutual profit TINS abuse had grown u suoh proper
lions that vigorous measures have Deen taken ~
the Department Washington 10 correct it special
agents detailed TO visit all parts o the country
and detect offenders and the result Is lat aise NUN
Der OF have been removed ana Tho pa.ucc
Is greatly diminished