The Dickinson press., 1883-12-15
AFFAIRS

&0OMAoAN0 61AxH OG G1NANCEA
Tho report Of the postmaster general CON-
prospects of this interesting branch of the
public service committed to his care. It APP
pears that on June 80, 1883, the whole nu,n-
Der of postofices was "a, 1868, Of which 632
were established during the previous fiscal
year. The number Of offices operating under
the system of free delivery was 154. At these
amounted to 81, 1875, $50. so, a sum exceeding
by $1,021,s9 OIL the entire cost of the
carriers service in the country. The
rate Of postage on drop letters passing
through these offices is now fixed by law az
In offices where the carrier system has not
been abolished the rate is only half as large.
1t will be remembered that in 1868, when
free delivery was first established by law, the
uniform single rate of postage upon local let
tiers was one cent, and go it remained until
1872. when in those cities where carrier serv-
ice was established it was increased to dofray
the expense of such servics. 1t seems to
ME that the old rate may now with pro-
7riety. be restored, and that, too, even
at . risk OF diminishing for a time, at least, re-
ceipts from postage upon local letters. can
see no reason why that particular class of mail
matter should be held accountable for the en-
tire cost of not only Its own collection and de-
livery but the collection and delivery of all
other classes, aud [ an confident, after full
consideration of the subject, that the re-
duction Of the rate would be followed by such
o growing volume Of business as to occasion
but slight aud 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 az 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, in dissenting from the
accommodation Of the postmaster general,
that the government assume the same control
over the telegraph which it has always ex-
ercised over the mails. Admitting that its ALL
been claimed for it, it would not, in
NY judgment, be a wise use
of that authority to purchase or assume the
control of existing telegraph lines, or to con-
struct others with o view Of entering into gen
eral competition with private enterprise. The
oblectlons 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. It
has been claimed, for example, that congress
might wisely authorize the postmaster general
10 contract with como private pereon or
corporation for the transmission of messages
OF specified rates and under government
supervision. Various such schemes, of the
same general nature but widely differing in
their special characteristics, have been sug-
gested in the public prints, and the arguments
by which they have been supported and OBJ
posed have doubtless attracted your attention.
1t is likely that the whole subject will be con-
slaered Dy you at the present session. In the
OF detail that your deliberations would prob
ably, be aided slightly, if at all, by any par
ticular suggestions which 1 might now submit.
l avow 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.