Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-24
CHRISTMAS GIFTS AT THE POST
OFFICE.
Packages aud Christmas Cards--A Fall.
ing Off i'm the Holiday BuSiness-C0n.
SressiOnal Christmas Presents.

When the letter-carriers came on duty at the city
post ONCE at daylight this morning every aisle Ia
the city delivery departmen Mt OF the city post office
was blocked with huge heaps OF packages for the
delivery. The corridors OF the office were thronged
all day with persons getting packages weighed and
mailing them. An extra window was opened for
the sale OF stamps, in order to accommodate the
rush. In every department Of the office business
was unusually brisk. 1.-THE Christmas business OF
this year. said Postmaster Conger to STAR re-
porter, "though large, is not more than half as
large. as last year. Folks are evidently econo.
mizing."
'rhis looks very big to you," said Mr. Bell, the
supcrnten dent OF the city delivery to the reporter
sbut IT does not compare with last year. It began
later this year and has not yet any day been as
great as last year, don't know what 1t will be to.
morrow morning. The trains that are coming in are
all freghted with mail OF this kind. Many OF the
western trains are late They will bring us great
"We viii endeavor," said Assistant Postmaster
sherwood, "to deliver everything that comes to-
morrow mt, row.. before nghtiala Christmas present is
In the dispatching room Mr.. Springer, the SUPER
intendent, said that the mail going out OF the
sity. though much larger than on ordinary days,
81 suppose" observed one Of the officials OF the
ofice, CLERKS are econominng and not making
CHRISTMAS CARDS.
OF course large part or the mail passing through
the office is made up OF Christmas cards.
The oficlalS say that the number OF Christmas
cards received Is growing less every year. This
year 1t Is estimated that not One-halI as many have
been handled as last year.
The registry division OF the ONCE has been
crowded Tor several days with persons sending
away packages, and the clerks have been kept very
ousy. one lady who came in yesterday had q
package OF candy weighing few ounces over four
pounds, the maximum OF weight allowed, which
sne wanted to send away. The clerk at the counter
suggested that She should take out the surplus
Sne Wouid not ior long time consent to this say
Ing she wanted to have hlm-the gentleman tor
whom 1t was 1ntended-to have It all Finally
after long argument, she consented TO take tho
candy out, and the business of the Office was
package TO New Orleans and to have It delivered
tonight The clerk tried 70 convince her OF the
impossibihty of getting 1t to New Orleans in less
than Sky hours The lady, however, went OF In
istraton was absolutely necessary the safety OF
the country.
THE CONGRESSIONAL NAIL
was also to-day. apparently made up largely OF
Christmas matter. Congressman Morreli, OF Kan.
sas, received big iron horseshoe from one OF his
constituents 50 years Old. large number OF
Cniistmas cards were distributed among Congress-
men, Representative s 8. Cox seemed TO be the
one especially favored in this way although Repre-
sentat1ves Cox ana R0secrans were not far behind
REPRESENTATIVES Springer, wilkins and Others re.
oeiyed many cards The dignity Of tho senatorial
mail was violated only in very few Instances by
the tntr4uction Of such matter.
MR.W. T. CURTIS, OF the Chicago lnse,.oocan sec
rotary OF the South American commission, tele-
graphs to friend in this city denying that he
ever offered the democratic managers any cam
palgn material against Blaine and Logan. Mr. Cur.
US ADMITS that he wrote the article about senator
Logan ana the Zuni Indians, but says he did the
VOL oy direction Of the managing editor. He was
sent TO New Mexico to investigate the matter and
puostahe6 b1n account over hfa 0vpn