River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-12-13
PosToFFiCE AFFAIRS.

PROMISING STATE OF FINANCES.
The report Of the postmaster general con-
tsins gratifying exhibit Of the condition aud
prospects of this interesting branch of the
public service committed to lis care 1t APP
pears that on June 80, 1888, the whole mum
Der of postoffees was AZ, S63, of which 632
were established during the previous fiscal
year The number of offices operating under
the system of free delivery was Sd AT these
latter offices the postage on local matt sr
amounted to S4, 1875, $50 90, sum exceeding
by $1,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 ouly 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
ters was one cent and so it remained unIu
1872. when in those cities whore carrier serv
ice was established it was increased to defray
the expense of such servica II 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-
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 tie collection and delivery OF al
other classes, and / am confident, after fu
consideration of the subject that tho re-
duction of the rate would be followed by such
a growing volume of business as to occasion
but slight and temporary loss to the revenue
of the postoffice
POSTAL TELEGRAPH NOT DESIRED.
The postmaster general deYotes 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 10 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
over the telegraph which it has always eX-
ercised over the mails Admitting that its an-
thority in the premises be as ample as has evei
been claimed for it, it would not, II
my Judgment, lie wise uSt
sontrol OF existing telegraph lines, or ID Goa.
struct others with view of entering INTO gen
era competition with private enterprise The
objections which may be justly urged agains
either of these projects and. indeed, agains
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. l
has been claimed, for example, that congress
might wisely authorize the postmaster genera
to contract with some private person OF
corporation for the transmission of messages
at 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 ar ument,
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 You at the present session In the
nature of things it involves 20 mauy questions
of detail that your alterations would prob
ably be aided slightly, if at all, By any par
ticular suggestions which might now submit.
ayow my belief, however, that the govern
ment should be authorized by law to exel else
court supervision over interstate telegraph
communication, aud express the hope that
for attaining that end some measure be devised
which will receive your appreciation.