The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-14
AFFAIRS.

4 fhOn1n1NI la VIZ
The report OF the postmaster general con-
sains q gratifying exhibit Of the condition and
prospects of this interesting branch of the
public service committed to his care. 1t APP
pears that on June 80, 1888, the whole mum
Der Of post,ficcs was AZ, 1868, OF which 632
were established during the previous hscal
year. The number of offices operating under
the system of frse delivery was lo4 At THESE
latter offices the postage on local matter
amounted TO ST. 1913, $50. so, q sum exceeding
by 81, O2l, S94.U 1 the entire cost OF the
carriers service in the country. Tue
rate o. postage on drop letters passing
through these offices is how fixed by la" at
two cents per half ounce or fraction thereof,
In offices where the carrier system has not
been abolished the rate is only half as large.
1t will be remembered that in 1865, when
free delivery was fret established by law, The
uniform single rate of postage upon loca! let,
tiers was one cent, and 40 it remained uhtli
1872. when in tlose cities where carrier serv-
ice was established i, was increased to defray
the expense of such servica. 1t seems to
me that the old rate may now win pro-
priety be restored, and that, too, even
at a risk of diminishing for a time, at least, re-
ctlpts from postage upon local letters. l can
see no reason why that particular class OF mali
matter should be held accountable for the en-
tire cost of not only It's own collection and de-
livery but the collection and delivery OF all
other C, asses, aud | am confident, after full
consideration OF the subject, that tho re-
duciion of tho rate would be followed by such
a growing volume of business rs to occasion
but slight and temporary loss to tho revenue
Of the postottice
POSTAL NOT DESIRED.
The postmaster general devotes mnca of
his report to the consideration in its various
aspects of the relation of the government to
the telegraph. Snch reflection as l have been
able to give the subject since my last annual
message has not led me to change the view
which l then expressed, 10 dissenting from the
recommendation of the postmaster general.
that the government assume the same control
oyer the telegraph which II has always cN-
erciscd over the mails. Admitting that it's an-
tslority in the prem .ses be as ample as has ever
been claimed for it, it would rot, in
my judgment, be a wise use
of that authority to purchase or assume the
control of exiting telegraph lines, or to con-
strnct others wi II 4 view OF entering INTO gen.
era competition WITH private enterprise. The
objections which may be justly urged against
ether OF these projects and. indeed, agaluat
any system which would require an enormous
increase III 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 tho transmission Of messages
at specified rates and under government
supervision. Various such schemes. of the
sane general nature but widely differing III
their special characteristics, have been sug-
gested in The public prints, and the ar uments
by which they have been supported aud OPP
posed have doubtless attracted your attention.
1t is likely that the whole subject will be con-
sidered by yoE at the present session. In tne
nature of things it involves so many questions
or detail that your d iibcrations would prob
ably be aided slightly, il at all, by any par
tioular suggestions which l might now submit
] aHow my belief, however, that the govern
ment should be authorized BY law to exercise
court supervision over interstate telegraph
communication, and | express the hope that
for attaining that end some measure be devised
which will receive your appreciation.