The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1880-12-01


steel rails which will be laid during the COM
ing year.
-~ZD> 4A@Zs~b>
Generals Report.
WASHINGTON, November 23.-Ihe annual
report of the Postmaster General presents q
large amount Of statistical information con-
corning the operations of the department,
which has already been published in abstract
reports OF his subordinate officers. Attention
is invited to the statement of Assistant Post
master General Brady respecting the Star
service transportation and last years def
have restricted the postal service to the meager
appropriations of 1879 would have rendered
it entirely inadequate to the wants of the peo-
pie. He has carefully reviewed the estimates
of General Brady for the next fiscal years
mail transportation in all its branches and
approves all as being in accordance with the
probable requirements of the service. An ap-
preparation is recommended for the c%ontinu-
ance of special mil facilities on railroads,
such as extra trains with mails only and the
acceleration of regular trains carrying mails,
etc., which the people have enjoyed for sew
eral years past. 1t is not doubted that regu-
lar and frequent means of mail steamship
communication with the Mexican, CentraI
American, South American, and trans Pacific
ports, would prove important auXilliaries to
American commerce, and | think it would be
a wise measure of public policy to encourage
by appropriate legislation the establishment
by our own citizens of American lines of
steamers to such ports as will in the iudg-
ment OF Congress promote our commercial
interests. | think it would be a wise meas
ure to so amend the general on the subject as
to authorize the payment by the Postmaster
General of a just and reasonable compensa-
ton within prescribed maximum limit and
commensurate with the importance of the
service performed, to such lines of American
steamers as may be employed under contract
with this department in transporting mails of
the United States to Mexican, Central Amer
lean, South American, and.trans-P Pacific ports.
The money order system continues to grow
in popular favor. The superintendent Of the
money order system suggests a plan for the
reduction of fees, which seems entirely feast
BILE and which is commended to the attention
Of Congress. His plan is to reduce the fee
for money orders not exceeding So TO five
cents, to extend the maximum limit of an or
der from $50 to 800, so that increased COM
missions received for large orders may offset
the loss resulting from reduced fee for small
orders. The foreign money order business
and letter-carl1er system is in a highly salts
factory condition. He thinks dutable goods
through the mail from abroad should be more
instead Of more restricted, and
should embrace all mail matter. He strong
" commends the plan of establishing q DOS
tai savings system like that of Great Britain
and Canada, where it is successful and is q
of actual profit to the country. 1t
would be even more advantageous here. 1t
would require but little more work and be a
boon to the people. He had while abroad
examined the postal telegraph system. 1t
has been perfected, extended. and c~heapened
idigoiy sillGo taheu lAom private uaHuSs anu
yields q profit to the royal treasury. It is
to question whether this system should
not be taken from private corporations,
managers seek only personal gain and
not to the convenience Of the public. He IN
hesitatingly endorses Keys war on lotteries,
and recommends decisive legislation against
SO far as the use of the mail is con-
cerned, in accordance with the Supreme
Court decisions. He also urges legislation to
of the benefit Of the mails those
newspapers which publish lottery advertise
nents.