Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-05
PosrMasrBR-GBNBRAL's REPORT.

The report of the Postmaster.G General is
largely devoted to giving statistical data of
the various branches Of the postal service for
the past year. It will well repay, however,
a careful perusal, as it gives clear insight
iuto the details of the service, and efforts put
forth for the greatest possible efficiency at
minimum cost. The entire revenues of TIE
department for the fiscal year ending June
| 80. 1888, amounted TO Si5, sos. 692 81. This
is sn increase of over per cent. above the
receipts of the previous year. There were
:. 25S Postc fhces established during the year,
aud ,62l were discontinued. The total mum.
Der of offices June 30. 1888, was AZ S6S. being
an increase of l. 632 over the whole number
existing June 80, 1882. The number of
Postofh fhces, known as Presidential offices, or
to which the Postmaster is appointed ty the
| President, was. June 80, 1888, .. 143. The
remaining 45 72O ars appointed by the Post
| msster. General.
| The free delivery system was in operation
| in l54 cities, AZ of which were newly eslsb-
! lished ores, and $50 carriers were employed.
| The total cost of the free delivery service was
| s., ,173, ,336 81 The receipts for postage on
| local matter in these 15i offices was 81 1885,
| go 80, making an excess of postage on local
I
| cry s> stem of 81, ,021 S9i 01. The number of
mail letters delivered was 342 0lS, $50; mail
postal cards, SC. 1873, 22S local letters, I04,-
4S7, ,146 local postal cards, 60 472, 1913 regis
tered letters delivered 9, $50, 203 and news
papers, 2O3, ,56S. .OO5. The present law provides
| for the establishment of this service in places
| having q population of 10000, or at post
| offices whose gross revenue tor the preceding
| E. cal year amounted to SIC, 0O0. The service
| Oh ha established pnH aStarleI
| Postmaster General, as rapidly as the inter-
ests and convenience of the public require,
| and it is for Congress to determine what ex-
tension of the system is called for at present,
The present status of the star service shows
for 1888 q cost of "a 7S9 AIS, with n. 99S 7S2
miles Of annual transportation, against cost
of 81, 321, ,499, with 76 070 995 miles Of an
nusl transportation, in 1880, being an in
crease from 1880 Of l. 927, ,7S7 miles of trans
portation and 81, 5S2, 02l decrease in cost.
This service is now all performed uuder ccu-
tracts made upon proposals submitted il re-
spopse to advertisements. Suits have been
ordered brought for the recovery of moneys
fraudulently obtained for expedited service.
On the 30th of June last there were 5,927
money order offices, by which orders were
issued to the amount of SlE5 047 23S ~ dur
log the year, and S12O 4O7, 46S SO paid out
upon orders. The fees for orders amounted
to S1,272. 060 GO, from which net profit was
realized by the Government of Sl59. l04 81.
The total number Of stamps, stamped en-
velOpes, stamped wrappers, postal cards. etc.
issued during the year was l. S6l. $50 600 and
the value was $40 9l0, ,319 81. The number
of acquisitions upon which these supplies
were issued was 40, 457. The smount re-
ceived for registering packages was $685.
$40 20. The loss Of registered parcels was
only ore out of every 16. S97, which is a re-
markable showing.
1t is recommended that the weight for sim
gle letter postage be changed from half an
ounce to one ounce; that four ounces, instead
Of two ounces, be permitted to pass through
the mails for one cent, and opposes any re-
duction in the present two-cent rate for drop
letters in cities where the free-cariier system
is in operation.
The question as to the powers of Congress-,
under the Constitution, to establish and
maintain a postal telegraph system is dis
cussed somewhat at length, and such power,
it is claimed, resides in Congress but, mas
much SO such departure would greatly in
crease the patronage Of the Government, the
Postmaster General thinks it would be dam
gerous experiment. The report upon the
subject concludes as follows 90 have en-.
deavOrsd to msiptain the authority of Con-
gress to assume control Cf the telegraph be.
cause it has been, aud still is, seriously dis
puted. The existing compsnies operate their
lines solely for the purpose of making money,
and while it is doubtless true that their rates,
aS whole, are unrt alonable, yet in view of
what has already been said, do not think the
evils complained of are so grievous as to cali
for Congressional intervention"
For other Department Reports see Last PGgcl