The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1883-12-13
POsTOFFICE. AFFAIRS.

The report of the postmaster general con-
tains gratifying exhibit of the condition and
prospects of this interesting branch of the
public service committed to his care. 1t ap-
nears that on June 80, 1883, the whole num-
Der of postoffices was "A, 1868, OF which So
we're established during the previous hscal
year. The number of offices operating ander
The system of free delivery was 154. AT these
latter offices the postage on local matter
amounted to 81, l95, $50 50, sum exceeding
bv S1,O21 S94 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 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 1868, when
free delivery was first established by law, the
uniform single rate OF postage upon ioea, ,e;
tiers was one cent, and so it renamed unui
1872. when in those cities where Garner serv-
ice was established it was increased to defray
the expense of such service. 1t seems 10
me that the old rate may now with pro-
priety be restored and that, too, even
at a risk of diminishing for time, at least, re-
ceipts from postage upon local letters. L 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 an
other classes, and I am confident, after full
consideration of the subject that the re-
duction Of the rate would be followed by SUCH
r. growing volume of business as To occasion
but slight aud temporary loss to the revenue
of the postoffice.
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 have been
able to give the subject since my last annual
message has not led me to change the view
which 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 mails. Admitting that Its au-
| been claimed for it. it would moi, IN
my Judgment, be wise use
of that authority to purchase or assume the
control of existing telegraph lines, or to con-
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 the
same general nature put widely dinering IN
| their special characteristics. have been sug-
gested in the public prints, and the arguments
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 60 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
l ayow my belief, however, that the govern
ment should be authorized By law to exercise
court supervision over interstate telegraph
communication, and express tho hope that
for attaining that end some measure be devised
which will receive your appreciation.