Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-12-14
PosToFFICE AFFAIRS.

!!
The report Of the postmaster general con-
tains . gratifying exhibit of the condition and
prospects of this interesting branch of the
pears that on June 80, 1883, the whole num-
Der OF postofices was 1868, of which 632
were established during the previous fiscal
year. The number of offices operating under
| the system of free delivery was l54 at these
latter Offices the postage on local matter
by $1,O21, 894.O the entire cost Of the
carriers service in the country. The
rate o. postage on drop letters passing
through these offices is how fixed by law at
two cents per half ounce or fraction thereof
In offices where the carrier system has not
been abolished the rate is only half as large
1t will be remembered that in 1858, when
free delivery was first established by law, the
| uniform single rate of postage upon local let
ters was one cent and SO it remained until
1872. when in those cities whore carrier serv-
ice was established it was increased to defray
the expense Of such servics 1t seems to
me that the old rate may now with pro-
criety be restored, and that, too even
at risk of diminishing for time, at least, re-
celpts from postage; upon local letters. l can
see no reason why that particular class Of mail
matter should be held accountable for the en-
tire cost Of not only its own collection and de-
livery but the collection and delivery of all
| other classes, aud I am confident, after full
consideration OF the subject, that the re-
duction Of the rate would be followed by such
a growing volume Of business as to occasion
but slight aud temporary loss to the revenue
of the postoflice.
POSTAL TELEGRAPH NOT DESIRED.
The postmaster genera! devotes much Of
his report to the consideration in its various
aspects Of the relation of the government to
the telegraph. Such reflection as I have been
able to give the subject since my last annual
a moi mo To oh
which then expressed in dissenting from the
recommendation OF tue postmaster general.
that the government assume the same control
over the telegraph which it has always e1-
ercised over the mails. Admitting that it's au
thority in the premises be as ample as has ever
been claimed for it, it would not, in
my Judgment, be wise nse
of that authority to purchase or assume the
control Of existing telegraph lines, or to con-
struct others with view Of entering into gen.
eral competition with private enterprise. The
objections which may be justly urged against
either of these projects aud, indeed, against
| any system which would require an enormous
increase in the civil service, do not. however,
apply to some Of the plans which have lately
provoked public comment and discussion. 1t
has been claimed. for example, that congress
might wisely authorize the postmaster general
to contract with some private person or
corporation for the transmission of messages
at specified rates and under government
supervision Various such schemes, Of the
same general nature but widely differing in
their special characteristics, have been sug-
gested in the public prints, and the arguments
by which they have been supported and OPP
posed have doubtless attracted your attention.
1t s likely that the whole subject will be con-
sidered by you at the present session In the
: nature Of things it involves many questions
Of detail that your deliberations would prob
ably be aided slightly, il at all, by any par
ticular suggestions which [ might now submit
! avow my belief however, that the govern
ment should be authorized by law to exercise
court supel vision over interstate telegraph
communication. and express the hope that
for attaining that end sclne measure be devised
which will receive your appreciation.