Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-22

ment that has maintained the examin-
atoms for entrance and promotion by
section 1853 of the revised statutes.
In the examination for promotion the Gus
tom IS for the examining board to put four
questions of n general character. The
head of the bureau puts four questions re
lating to the work of the bureau, and the
chief of the division puts four relating to the
particular work the candidate will have to
do. In summing up the questions those
of the board have relative value of two;
thoee of the head of the bureau the value
of four; those of the chief of division the
relative value of eight. SO that the great
est weight is given the most practical part
of the examinations.
gentleman long connected with these
examinations said to GLOBE reporter
that if examinations were not required for
promotion the whole system would fail and
there would be less in the treasury at least
than under the present condition of things.
CABINET RUMORs.
During the last ten days various rumors
have been in circulation affirming disa-
greement between the president and menu
ber5 of the cabinet. At one time it was
said the president and Secretary Chandler
had quarrelled and that it was Secretary
Folger, between whom and the president
there has been an exchange of views not
of pleasing character. There does not
seem to be any foundation for these
rumors except that it has for
some time been believed that
the president would be very glad to ges
rid of some of the members of his cabi-
net, and that he had found occasion to ex-
press to one or two of them his decided
dissent from certain actions which had
been taken by them.
THE PosToFFICE DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.-The annual re-
port of Frank Hatton, first assistant post
master general, has been laid before the
postmaster general and is most interest
ing document. 1t is not possible to do it
justice in brief synopsis, SO the more i'm
portant points of the report are given
quite fully. The report says the average
amount of work perfo in each of the
divisions of the office ex ceeded that of any
previous year and the bureau has, 80 far as
the appropriation would permit it, en-
deavored to meet the necessities of an in
creasing population, assist in the activity
of commercial circles and keep pace with
the construction and extension of the vari-
GUS railroads and other means of commu-
nication. 1t is believed that in no pre-.
ceeding year have fewer complaints been
made concerning the inoompetency or dis
honesty of postmasters, or delay or confu-
sion in delivery and dispatch of mail mat
ter in the different postofices.
The whole number of postoffices on
June 80, 1888, was 47,863, an increase of
1852 during the year. Apportioned by
sections the increase in tbs New England
states was IS; Middle states 223; Southern
states and Indian territory 1925; states and
territories of the west and northwest $50;
and Pacific slope IS. Pennsylvania had
the largest number of postoffices, 3,7I6;
New York followed with 1882, and Ohio
third, with 1920. The largest increase IN
the number of postoffices in any one OF
the states and territories was in Dakota.
the number being 172. In Connecticut
there was decrease OF one. Lancaster
county, Pa, had 158 po5tofices, the largest
number in any county in the United
States. The whole number of presidential
Offices was 1857, an incie ease of 421. Re
movals and suspensions during the year
316-less than for the year before, an in
dicatior, undoubtedly, of improvement in
the character ard habits of persons now
serving the public as postmasters.
&bo n M
ten to postmasters and private individuals,
involving decisions under postal regula-
tons and laws, and $4,000 was collected
from publishers of second class matter for
violation of law in enclosing third class
matter in second class publications. Pub
fishers of legitimate newspapers are spe.
cially interested in sustaining the depart
ment in its efforts through decisions
postal law and regulations, to exclude from
the pound rate all publications designed
primarily for advertising purposes or for
free circulation or for circulation at nom
inal rates. The enforcement of that Law
will enable legitimate publications, favored
bv statute as an instrument OF popular
education, to sustain themselves by secur
ing such local advertising support as
would naturally come to them.
The adjustment of salaries of presiden-
tial postmasters is now far enough ad-
| vanced to warrant the statement that the
result will be satisfactory, and for the first
time in the history of the department the
salaries Of presidential postmasters vii
be equalized and placed upon the basis o.
the gross receipts of their offices.
The total expenditures on account O
postofice supplies was $111,927, leaving ;
small unexpended balance. Allowances
made by the salary and allowance division
during the year for clerk hire, rent, furHi
ture, salaries for postmasters Of the vari
Gus grades, ETC., about S9,50O,0o0. In orde
to meet the urgent demands of the servic'
for clerks in postofices, and at the same
time keep within the limited appropria
ton, it was necessary to create
a fund by making reduction
in the salaries of those Gle *
in 1876 Offices. One-quarter of the fune
so created was used to give relief at point
where additional clerks were absolutel!
needed, to work off accumulated and de-
layed mails, and prevent further compiled
tions. This expedient was somewhat il
the nature of heroic treatment, and it is
hoped the occasion will not again occur
Congress should make ample provision TO
this service. As usual, these clerks are I'm
derpaid, especially at separating offices
The postmasters at separating Offices
where mails are separated for other Offices