National Republican., 1883-12-03
The Postmaster Generals Report.

The annual report Of tho postmaster gen.
cral presents nm interesting exhibit Of tho
operations of this important branch of the
government. Tho postoilico department
deals more directly with the daily business
and affairs of the people, and comes nearer to
them in every way, than any other depart
ment of tho government, while the extent of
its operations and the vast number of persons
tswhich it gives employment invest it with
peculiar interest and Importance. The
report of the postmaster general shows
that the growth of the department and of
postal business is keeping even pace with
that of the country. Tho total number
of postofllces at the close Of the last fiscal
year was 47,s63, an increase of 1859, during
the year. The revenues were $45,50S,692, an
increase Of S3,6322S2 over the preceding
year, while the expenditures were $685.
700, leaving q surplus of S2,601902. This,
however, is better showing than will be
made next year. The postmaster general
estimates that on account of diminished reve-
MUGS and increased expenditures, there will
be deficiency next year of $2,958,111. Tho
loss during next year, occasioned by the re-
duction of letter postage TO two cents is esti-
mated at $7,soa,3so.
The postmaster general does not favor o re-
duction of postage on drop letters to 1 cent.
There is difference of opinion on this sub
ject, and, as indicated by the press, quite a
general desire for tho reduction. The RE-
PUBLICAN has been of the opinion that it
would be a wise and timely measure, but the
postmaster generel does not take that view
of the case. He thinks tho financial returns
of the free delivery service will not justify
tho reduction at Epresent, and recommends
that it bo deferred at least until the full
effect of the recent reduction of letter postage
shall be known. ..
The recommendation for the change in the
standard of letter weight from half an ounce
to one ounce, making two ounces the measure
of double postage, will meet with universal
approval, and should be promptly adopted by
congress. The same may bo said of tho re-
commendation for a change in tho rate of
postage on transient newspapers from 1 cent
per two ounces to / cent three ounces. Both
of these changes will be great convenience
to the public.
The postmaster general reviews the action
of the department on the lottery question
and recommends moro stringent legislation
for the exclusion of lottery matter and ad.
vertisements from the nails.
On the important question of postal tele.
graph the postmaster general makes strong
argument in favor of the constitutional right
of the government to establish new telegraph
lines or to acquire possession and control OF
existing lines, if it sees fit to do so. but on
grounds of public policy he is decidedly op-
posed to such action. While admitting the ex-
istence of OWLS in the present system, he thinks
the evils of a government telegraph would
be still greater and probably Of a character
to threaten the purity and permanence of our
conclusion, and one which, on mature reilec-
tion, will commend itself to the best sense OF
the country. Without questioning tho right
of the government to engage in the telegraph
business we believe that considerations OF
public policy furnish the strongest possible
arguments against the exercise of the right
and against congress entering on n line OF
legislation of which no one could forsee OF
predict the end.