The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-11-25
THE POSTMASTER GENERALS RE
PORT

said to be a better arranged department
annual report OF General James, which We
have just had an opportunity to glance
over, contains some figures that the general
public might like to see, and closes with
suggestions, the adoption ofwhch would
add new and greater vitality and efficiency
to the system. 1t is gratifying to notice a
decided increase in revenues, though it is
not yet self-sustaining, and it is equally
gratifying to see this great arm of the
| government so useful and, in fact,
necessary to the citizen reaching
ont into new fielus with its messages of
affection and civilization. Among the
many items of interest mentioned or dwelt
upon by the report may be noticed the
following; The total expenditures for the
year were something over $30,000,0OO in
round numbers, and the revenues from the
same were 100000 short Of the above.
But the business and revenues are
constantly increasing, as shown by
comparisons with other years, and afterno
great while, by good business management
and curtailing of such vilainous contracts
as the notorious Star Route jobs, the Post
office Department of this country will not
only be a selt-sustainng institution, but
the reduction of postage and greater
facilities in furnishing us our mail matter
will cnsue. 1t may be news to the gen
| aro 70 thot l,,, Al
year 054, rs, $50 postage stamps were sold,
| of an aggregate value of $25, 0O0, 600 In the
| money order department, a convenience by
| the way to the citizen that is worth to the
| country half the cost of running the de-
partmcnt, to say nothing of any other ad-
vantages from the service, over hundred
millions of money was transmitted, being
| the aggregate value of over seven million
orders, There are employed in this branch
over 81 600 men, nearly 600 Of whom are
postmasters. During the year over a
billion letters were delivered and collected
by carriers alone. The number of miles of
railway routes is over $1,000 while the
steamboat lines cover %, 900 miles But the
greatest mileage of all is seen in what is
known rs the Star Routes, which reach the
astounding figures of23l POO miles. 1t must
be said to the credit of the present head of
this department that he has decreased the
cost on these latter routes, since March,
over 81 600 600 and has thus at one blow
lessened the annual deficiency to that con-
siderable extent. While ON this subject the
Postmaster-General makes the following al
lusions to the Brady and Dorsey jobs: "A
minute investigation into alleged abuses IN
the Star Route service was instituted by
direction of the late President, and is being
still prosecuted, The Postotlice Department
has co-operated and will continue so to do
with the Department Of Justice in this
investigation, but 10 one who has not been
directly concerned in the matter can apprc-
ciatc the magnitude of the undertaking
from the mass of record evidence to be ex-
amincd and the difficulty of a personal in
vestigaton in the sparsely settled terrific
ries." This is about all there is in the re-
port in reference to this gigantic and bold
steal Of such interest to the public. 1t
would be impossible in cursory review
like this to note the various items of the
report, and we have to content ourselves
simply with these controlling features we
have noticed. In the meantime let us hope
that next year will show additional inn
provements, revenues and efficiency. III
there is one branch of any government plan |
upon which the prosperity and destinies of
the country hang more than upon another, |
1t is the Postal Department, and its manage
ment and operations are therefore of I'M
usual interest and importance. In fact, the |
degree of perfection attained here is gener- |
ally pretty correct index to the degree of |
civilization and enlightenment reached by |
any particular people Upon the whole, |
MIR. James has managed his business very |
successfully and upon business principles, |
and, il he continues in the Cabinet, other |
beneficial changes may be anticipated. |
Some of the closing suggestions Of his report |
breathe the true spirit and indicate the cor
rect policy, and are worthy of being re-
pcatcd. He says, on the matter of civil SER
vice reform: Careful observation in this
department and elsewhere has but con-
firmed my conviction of the great
public benefit to be derived from conduct
ing the public business on business
principles. Some method of re-
lief must be provided fron the
overwhelming pressure for appoint
ment to clerkships and other subordinate
positions, and from the equal pressure for
the removal of capable and experienced
assistants to make room for those who are
not more competent. The public service is |
public trust to which every citizen may
properly aspire, and the public interest
plainly demands that admission to il shonld
not depend upon personal favor, because
such favor cannot well be impartial, and
because system of appointment by mere
influence may be readily perverted
to the promotion of private in
terest and personal ambition. The
first step, in my Judgment toward
the relief oft appointing officers and the |
promotion Of the greater efficiency and |
economy of the civil service would be
method of minor appointment, which |
should be independent of personal or part.
san influence. In some important govern.
mont offices of which have Ind noryonnl |