New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-14
POST OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS.
TALK WITH THE PosTMAsTER-GEYERAL.

TALK WITH THE SIMASIEh-bENEhAL.
PRACTICAL CIVIL SERVICE MISUNDERSTANDING
TIoN OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THIRD
CLASS MATTER
Postmaster General Key is in the city the guest
Of Postmaster James. lie paid visit to the Iost
Office Friday and inspected The various depart
monts. lie also made a tour Of the city charities
and prisons. il is his intention to spend few days
in the city, and then proceed on a holiday trip to
the mountains.
when asked for his views on the political stua-
ton, the Postmastcr-Geueral replied that he had
none TO give; his whole time was taken mp with the
affairs of the Post Office Department, and 1t was his
desire by his example 10 encourage among all ms
subordinatos observance of the Presidents Civil
Service policy. He thought that the success which
had attended Colonel Jamcs's administration IN
this city was due in very great measure TO his
policy of excluding politics from the Post Office.
1.-THE general public" said General Key, has
very little idea of the vast improvements and the
wonderful strides madein the service within recent
years. No one outside the Post Office can aDpre-
ciate them. There are now 10000 offices IN the
Union and the number is increasing SD rapidly that
do not know where it viii lead VS. Tho Depart
ment should be entirely free from political lnliu-
cnce, and believe it will be before very long The
work II does is especially for all classes Of the peO-
II
il is not long since SIR Rowland Hill said that with
out the income from The London Office there would
he a deficiency in the British service One marked
distinction between the employees of he British and
American services is that the latter are more indie
pendent and professional An English clerk Is sat
sHcd 10 perform the routine Of his Office from years
end to years end and at the termination OF stated
terms accept the regular Increase Of salary. The
qualification for large salaries there seems to be
longevity Hero We glad to accept
suggestions from every emplo}6, and some Of
the best ideas have emluated from quarters
least expected The lower grade of clerks in the
British service are paid much less than those hold
ing similar positions in this country, but the sala-
ries of the chief officials in Great Britain are greatly
in excess Of what rs paid our officials OF the 49,
600 postmasters in the United States only 1000
are appointed by the President and are paid by
salary the $4,000 others are designated By the
Postmaster-General and are paid III proportion TO
the amount Of business done at their offices. The
remuneration of this class until recently was based
upon the number of stamps sold at the office of
each. This system brought about anything but
satisfactory results. Postmasters, who were also
merchants, when purchasing goods made arrange
ments 10 paw for them in postage stamps NJ dis
count Of perhaps 20 per cent. IN some instances
they were allowed 60 per cent of the sale OF stamps
and IN sucn cases they could readily make money
aud al fine same lime dispose of them at large dIs-
count, One merchant in Ncw-Iorh City who had
done business wIJh country merchants who
wero at the same time pOstmasters, brought
to the New-York Office more tlan So
600 worth IF stamps, which he asked to have
redeemed. The system has been changed and now
country pOstmasters are PAID IA proportion to the
number OF stamps cancelled in their offices. The
time Is coming hen all pOstmasters VIII be paid
salary.
The principal feature of the past year, con
timed Mr. Key. " i'm the Post Office service was the
adoDtiOn OF the registration system for third class
matter ANY parcel Of less weight than four pounds
can now be- safely carried BY the Post ONCE If reg
i,tered Since the law came lntO force tine Depart
r,.ut has carried so. 100000 in specie, shipped
fgIrd class matter. The express companies had
been m the habit of charging eXtOTOnate rates for
the conveyance Of specie, and the business mas come
go the Post OHice. The greatcrp portion OF the specie
has Iceu transmitted for the Government from san
Francisco. One Thousand dollars IN gold coin
weigh trih less thau four pounds. The money
sealed sales, On then arrival IN THIS city The seals
ore broken BY tire Agent of the treasury Depart
mept and she safes are opened by the Post
muster. Although this has rahen bus mes, from tue
express companies it has not added To the income
of ne Post Ofice, because the Treasury Depart
meut Use, on, a stamps. IL Is IN fact carried az
dead los, TO the Postal Department., because the
railroads are paid by the pound for ali matter car
Rcd Tor rs But this Is not the only matter which
The Post Office loses on. Tons Of matter are sent
from the DegaltW in Washington al over the
country under official stamps. HE Post once has
In NAV the railroads Tor every pound OF TINS weight
and the system one of tnc abuses 20 DE TeiOrMcd
In other respects the registration system mas been
great success. Small parcels arc carried at less
cost than they are by the express cOMpanles and II
the ARRANGEMENT Is not altogether satisfactory TO
the latter the general public Is well satisfied