The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-12-13
POSTOFFICE AFFAIRS.

PROMISING STATE OF FINANCES.
The report Of the postmaster general con-
tains gratifying exhibit of the condition and
prospects of this interesting branch of tue
public service committed to his care 1t ap-
pears that on June 80, 1888, the whole num-
were established during the previous fiscal
year. The number of Offices operating under
the system Of free delivery was 154 At these
latter Offices the postage on local matter
amounted to 81, 1915, 230. SO, a sum exceeding
ssFyoe tn h' snro eoa Sos the s
rate o. postage on drop letters passing
through these offices is now fixed by law AZ
two cents per half ounce or fraction thereof.
In offices whore the carrier system has not
been abolished the rate is only half as large.
It will be remembered that in 1868, whom
free delivery was first established BY law, the
uniform single rate Of postage upon local let.
tiers was one cent and so it remained until
1872. when in those cities where carrier serv
ice was established it was increased to defray
the expense Of such servica It seems to
me that the old rate may now with pro-
priety be restored, and that, too, even
at risk of diminishing for time, at least, re-
celpts from postage upon local letters. can
see no reason why that particular class OF mail
matter should be held accountable for the en-
livery but tie collection and delivery Of all
other classes, and 1 am confident, after full
consideration of the subject, that the
duction of the rate would be followed by such
growing volume of business as to occasion
but slight and temporary loss to the revenue
Of the postofice.
POSTAL. TELEGRAPH NOT DESIRED
The postmaster general devotes much of
his report to the consideration in its various
aspects of the relation of the government to
the telegraph. Such reflection as l have been
able to give the subject since my last annual
L~~ - I&I 20 1,n I'm ry1axr
which I then expressed, in dissenting from the
recommendation of the postmaster general.
that the government assume the same control
over the telegraph which it has always ex-
ercised over the malls. Admitting that its au-
thority in the premises be as ample as has ever
my Judgment I've wise use
% 1es N:
struct others with view Of entering into gen.
eral competition with private enterprise The
objections which may be justly urged against
either of these projects and, indeed, against
any system which would require an enormous
increase in the civil service, do not. however,
apply to some of the plans which have lately
provoked public comment and discussion 1t
has been claimed, for example, that congress
might wisely authorize the postmaster general
to contract with some private person or
corporation for the transmission Of messages
at specified rates and under government
supervision. Various such schemes, of tho
same general nature but widely differing in
their special characteristics: have been sug-
gested in the public prints, and the ar uments
by which they have been supported and OPP
posed have doubtless attracted Your attention.
1t is likely that the whole subject will be con-
sidered by you at the present session In the
nature of things it involves go many questions
of detail that your deliberations would prob
ably be aided slightly, if at all, by any par
ticular suggestions which might now submit.
avow my belief, however, that the govern
ment should be authorized by law to exercise
court supervision over interstate telegraph
communication, aud express tho hope that
for attaining that end some measure be devised
which will receive your appreciation.