The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-12-05
Department Reports.


OF all the reports published by the
heads of the great executive departments
of the general government, that of the
postmaster-general has the largest popu-
lar interest. For the fiscal year ended
June 80, the revenues of the department
were more than million dollars in excess
of the expenses. For the year ending
June 30, 1885, by reason of the reduction
in postage, it is estimated that there will
be deficiency of nearly three million
dollars, Notwithstanding an anticipated
increase in revenue from an increase in
the amount of correspondence, in the use
of twocent sealed for one-csnt open
envelopes, and by the substitution of
letters for postal cards. In department
of the service of unenviable fame, the
statistics show what honesty can do to Sc
cure an economical administration of this
or any other department. For 1883 the
star route service was performed at an
expense of 81, 739, 47S with nearly seventy
eight million miles of annual transport
tation, against cost of 81, 321 400 for over
seventysix million miles of annual trans
portation, an increase of about two million
miles transportation with decrease of
over two and one-half million dollars in
cost. The popularity of the postal notes
is shown by the fact that from the first
issue September Sd, to October 20, over
fifty.seven thousand, amounting to nearly
$l07 900, were paid in New York alone.
The postmaster-general is opposed to the
reduction of postage on drop letters where
the carrier system is in operation from
twocents to onecent. The reduction has
been urged since the change from three.
cent to two-cent letter postage, on the
ground that it is an anomaly to charge
the same price for delivering a letter in
the city where it is mailed as for carrying
letter from New York to San Francisco.
General Gresham shows that distance has
nothing to do in determining the price for
carrying letter, that it is equally anoma
lous to charge two cents for carrying
letter from New York to Brooklyn and to
charge no more for carrying it across the
continent. If the postage on drop letters
in places which have the carrier system
is reduced to one cent, places not thus
favored would have just cause to COM
plain of the discrimination against them.
And chiefly this recommendation is not
favored because it would make the carrier
system an expense to the government in
all cities except New York, at time
when the reduction in letter postage is
causing large deficit to be made good
from the general treasury. An ounce,
instead of half ounce, is recommended
as the unit of letter postage. The post
master.gen eral shows that this govern
ment will then stand on the same basis as
England in this respect, that only very
small percentage of all the letters exceed
single postage charge, and that this
change can be made without an apprecia-
BILE loss of revenue to the government.
1t is also recommended that the charge
on third-class matter, embracing news
papers and periodicals sent by others than
the publishers, be changed from one cent
for two ounces to one cent for three
ounces, so that one cent per copy may
become the uniform rate for newspapers.
The more effectually to suppress lotteries,
this official recommends the exclusion
from the mails of every newspaper contain
ing an advertisement of lottery, and that
any person depositing such a paper for
sending by mail shall render himself
liable to the penalties incurred for so
depositing letter or circular. On the
subject of the postal telegraph, the post
master-general expresses his views at
considerable length. He admits the
power of the government to engage in the
telegraph business, but doubts the ex-
pedienoy of 80 largely increasing the
patronage of the federal government.
The evils of Geographic management,
in his opinion, do not yet warrant resort
| to such a measure. On this subject the
views of the postmaster-general are in
harmony with those of the president.
The Indian problem" which has de-
fed many generations of statesmen and
philanthropists, seems to be approaching
a solution. Secretary Teller of the in
terror department devotes large portion
of his report to the discussion of thi:
question. BY those philanthropists who
in the seclusion of their studies in the
cities by the Atlantic had wrought out
plans for the civilization of the red men
Mr.. Teller was classed, from his border
position, among those severely prsctica
philosophers who trust only in deat
Indians. President Arthur was enabled
to give civil service commission com
posed of theorists the practical points ant
the judicious control which have savet