Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-10-22
THE POSTAL SERVICE,
An Interesting Rtport from Frank
HattOn.
HOW THE DEPARTMENT is CHEATED
Reforms that are Badly Needed Pointe !
Out ard a New Stamp and How
K Could be Used Sug-
gested.


BILE to do il justice in a brief synopsis, &c
the more important points of the report
are given quite fully. The report says:
The average amount Of work performed
in each divisions office exceeded that oi
any previous year, and the Bureau has, SC
far as the appropriation would permit, en-
deavored to meet the necessities OF an in
creasing population, to assist in the activity
of commercial circles and keep pace with
the construction and extension OF various
railroads and other means of communica-
tion. 1t is believed that in no preceding
year have fewer complaints been made
concerning the
IncOmpeiency or Dishonesty Of Post.
masters.
or delay or confusion in delivery and dis
patch of mail matter in different post otii'
ces. The whole number OF post offices on
June 80, 1883, was A ,SG3, an increase OF
1852 during the year. Appointed by sec.
tiOns the increase in the New England
States was So; Middle States, 223 Southern
States and Indian Territory, I25; the States
and Territories west and northwest, $50,
and Pacific slope, 68. Pennsylvania had
the largest number Of post offices, 3,7l6.
New York followed with 3,0S2, and Ohio
third with 2,620 The largest increase in the
Number OF POst.OHices
in any Of the States and Territories, was in
Dakota, the number being 172. In Con-
neclIcut there was decrease OF one. Lam
caster county, Pennsylvania, had los post
offices, the largest namber in any county
of the United States. The whole number
of Presidential offices was >, li3. The great
est increase was in Illinois. The numoer
of money order offices is 5,S57, an increase
Of 42l. Removals and suspensions during
the wear, 3l6 less than for any year before :;
an indication, undoubtedly, of au improve
ment in the character and habits of per-
sons now serving the public as post
masters. During the year ~, 195 letters were
written to poStmasters anu To private IN
diViduals invo wing decisions under the
postal regulations and laws; $1,000 was @ IL
lected from publishers OF second class mat
ter for
Violation eE the Law
against third class matter in second GLASS
publications. The purchasers of legitimate
newspapers are specially interested in sus.
tanning the department in its efforts
through the division of postal laws and
regulations to exclude from pound rate
all publications designed primarily y
free circulation or for circulation
at a nominal rate. The enforcement OF
that law will enable legitimate publica-
tions, favored by the statute asinstruments
of popular education, to sustain them
selves by securing such local advertising
support as would naturally come to them.
The adjustment of the salaries of Presi-
dental postmasters is now far enough ad-
yanced to warrant the statement that the
result will be satisfactory, and for the hrst
time in the history of the department
The Salaries of Presidential POsAEnas
ters
will be equalired and placed on basis OF
the gross receipts of their offices. Total
expenditures on account of poslottce sup
plies, $lll,927, leaving q small unexpended
balance. Allowances made by salary and
allow ance OF division during the year for
clerk hire, rent, furniture, salaries OF post
masters of various grades, etc., about
S., 900 900. In order TO meet tho urgent de-
mand Of service for clerks IN the pos
offices, and at the same time Keep within
the limited appropriation, it was necessary
to create fund by making reductions IL
the salaries Of those clerks IN one hundred
end ninety.fve offices. Ol9 quarter OF the
fund so created was used to give relief at
points where additional clerks were aoSo
lutely need to work
Accumulated and Delayed Mails
and prevent further complications. This
expedient was somewhat in the nature o.
heroic treatment" and it Is hoped the
occasion will not again occur. Congress:
should make ample provision for the
service. As a rule, these clerks are under
paid especially at separating offices. Int
postmasters at separating offices Ioihce:
where mails are separated for other offices
are in many cases compelled to employ
clerks at their own expense, which is
| wrong that should be remedied. 1t is th'
duty Of tine Government 10 furnish roomy
and we'll arranged offices Tor the transac
tions OF the postal business. Such policy
will increase the
Revenues OF the Department,
and the citiz ms OF communities direct!
benefited in this way will take pride il
| fuTthering the in nterest of the service. Ia
| bles Of receipts at nineteen offices wher
new leases and improvements have beer
! made show the wisdom Of this policy il
largely increased receipts. There is n,
| good reason why the Government shoul'
| not provide for the paying OF office rem
| at post offices of the third class as well as a
! offices of the first and second class, with
| favorable surroundings, such as may bt
expected. The adjustment OF the salaries o
| Presidential posimasters for the fiscal yea
ending June 80, 1885, will increase il
round numbers not less than Si,O)O,OO).
! Beyond the benefits of the free delivery
service as at present restricted, there is
( class of towns in the denSely populated
portions of the country which it is be
| iieved could be served by carriers witt
benefit to the people and
Economy TO the Department.
There are towns within short distance
of one another which have not yet singl.
the required qualification, population
| gross revenue. The law should be amend
ed so as to authorize the Department t
extend the system TO such places by estso
| fishing il at principal or central office o
the group and discontinuing other office:
or Of substituting for them iaexpensiy
branches Of the main offices from whicI
carriers Could serve the surrounding local
tiles. Inv.C Y OF the large excess OF pos
tage on local matter over the cost OF fire.
delivery service, and taking into conslde
ration the fact that local correspondence
increases in proportion to facilities,
would seem that il should be extended an
liberal appropriations made to bring 1t u
to the highest practical standard in oitie
where il is now in operation where
The Service Meets the General Dt
mandS
OF business and social life, but fails
meet the despatch required in the deliver
of letters Of exceptional Importance, Ur
der the present system letters receive
after the carriers GO out upon their trip
whatever their importance, must lie ID "a
office till next trip. At six o'clock in th
evening, when the delivery closes for ID
day. they will lie over until the mel
morning, and this delay frequently fails
meet the object OF communication. Ga
side Of Il is want of more speedy deliver
there have grown up il several large citi'
private enterprises which are now col
Quoted in competition with this servic
wee and are div-rting from tt
legitimate revenues of the d.
partment thousands of dollars ever
wear. Tie patronage bestowed upo
them eyinces that the puolIc deman
more spe, dy delivery of a cert Il
class OF correspondence. To meetthis va
it is suggested that a
| Special stamp be Provided,
which, when affixed to letters, whethe
| ali or local IN addition To the oriin ar