The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-09-07

VINO mas ueen IN tne department. Tor Iorry-
nine years, and has administered the oath
to every postmaster general since Wick
life was sworn in, relates q. curious adven-
the other day he was approached by mid
dle-aged lady, who introduced herself as
Mrs. Merrck. II remember you very WELL"
said she. Il was with my father when you
postmaster general more than forty years
ago. am the daughter Of Wickliffe.. l
was quite young girl then, but remember
you WELL" The old gentleman was taken
by surprise, and could scarcely recognize
Ia the mature matron before him the bright
hand while he held up his right and receiy-
ed the oath of Office In 1881. Mrs. Merrick
is the wife of Judge Merrick, brother of
lawyer Merrick of Washington.
THE REGISTRY SYSTEM.
Among the various branches of the postal
service none show more remarkable growth
than the registry system. The receipts
doubled in the last five years, while the
general receipts Of the postal service have
been more than thirteen years In attaining
similar rate Of increase. Not only do the
registry fees more than compensate for the
labor 6y but an add
valuable letters that would never be in
trusted to the malls except for the security
afforded by the registry system. For ex-
ample in a single registered parcel mailed
in Philadelphia not many mouths ago, be-
sides the 10 cents to pay the fec Tor regis
tration, the sum of $137.0O in stamps was
used to prepay postage on the same at let
ter rates. The facilities of the registry
service have been greatly Increased by the
system of through registered pouches,
among the principal features of which is
the personal custody of pouches by sworn
employees of the government and OF the two
countries when the pouch goes to another
country; complete chain OF reports and
records from employe to employe between
terminal points; the use of the tell-tale or
rotary lock and the manifold through pouch
bill with coupon attachment, and the i'm
proved manner of gathering and distribute
ing registered mail TO and from pouch CEN
tiers. This system Ii being rapidly per-
fected throughout the country.
MARKED INCREASE OF REVENUE.
For the first two months of the fiscal
year the revenues show q decrease, as COM
pared with the same two months OF last
year of $3.50 1890. The customs receipts
showed an increase for July, but large
decrease for August. The decrease for two
months was So, 7SS, $50. Internal revenue has
reduction for two months of So, 24S, sos,
and miscellaneous sources q decrease of
S2,97, 1856. On the other hand, the expenses
of the government for the two months show
an increase of 81, FOG, &c., The increased
payments for pensions for two months are
$3.50, CAT, and the decreased payments for
interest are $1,000, 534. While The internal
revenue appears to be falling off at the rate
of S36, 100000 year, 1t is said at the Office
the decrease will not exceed $50 DOC, 600
and may not exceed S25, 000, coo. The nat
ural increase must be allowed for, and be-
sides this there were very heavy purchases
of tobacco stamps in May and June, which
operate to reduce the receipts for the first
two or three months of this year. Manu-
facturers will soon be obliged to Increase
their purchases of stamps. There is an
other Important element that has not been
taken fully into account in estimating the
revenue. The tax on ,33, 900, coo gallons of
bonded spirits must be paid in the remain
der of this fiscal year unless the spirits are
exported. The attorney generals opinion
Is not regarded as conclusive by the whisky
men or internal revenue officers, because II
was based on supposititious case such as
would not be likely to occur. 1t deters
some from exporting, and, though Others
go on sending spirits abroad, the eXporta.
ton Is not heavy. Unless the bonded period
Is extended, it is probable that those, spirits
will materially increase the internal reve-
nue. receipts. The current manufacture OF
spirits is expected to yield about $50 0J0,-
600. The appropriations for the current
year are S63,000,0O0 less than for the past
year, but this does not show what expendi-
lures will be. The appropriation for pen
siOns for the current year is $50, COG, 0c0 less
than for the past year, but it is evident that
the expenditure in this direction will neces-
state q deficiency bill.