Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-04

WASHINGTON. Feb. l. The following is
the report from the Committee on Public
Buildings, made by Mr.. Milliken, con-
corning the proposed United States build
ing at Augusta
augusta is the capital of the State with a
population of 1866, showing a small incre ase
during the last decade. 1t is situated on the
kennebec river, in tie centre of population
In the State, has fine and extensive water
power, has large industries in the manufac-
ture of cotton, lumber. boots and shoes, etc..
and has good railroad facilities, and is sur
rounded by thrifty and growing towns and
cities within radius of 20 miles. The post
office business of Augusta for the year ending
June 30, 1883, was as follows:
Cash receipts of Office, SS3 1873 ID stamped
third class matter with stamps not purchased
at the Augusta Office, s4s ,05I.O9, receipts
from money orders issued, s37 ,056 OF; re
ceipts from money order Dir ifs,
S3,65O.O0; receipts from money or
ders deposited by Postmasters SIs3.-
57l.O0; amount of money orders paid,
Sl39, 1885; amount of money order money
deposited with Postmaster Goddard. al Port
land, 3S4, l19. 90; amount deposited with as
sistant treasurer, at Boston. Mass, 81. 4sO :
80; total postal business Of the office, 1862, :
1874 40; total number of money orders issued
during the year, 2,467; the number
of money orders paid during the
year, 2l,936; the number of sacks
of newspapers sent from the off re during the
year, Al 1873; total number of circulars sent
2,709, $50; total number of pieces of mail
matter handled by letter carriers, 1892. G63 !;
total number of pieces of matter handled
during the year, IS, 1898.
In the amount Of second class mail matter.
Co. tI.,., I,n
ranked as the seventh post-office in the Uni
ted States, New York City being first Chicago
second Boston third; Philapelphii, fourth;
st. Louis, fifth; Cincinnati, sixth; Augusta,
seventh. Augustus post-office receipts show
a large increase each year since 1879 when
they were SOL ,440, and are likely to increase
in future, for they are in great part due to
large publishing houses located here which
do a business that extends all over the globe
and has been increasing for more than a de
cade. They have extensive permanent build
ings and the very best class of printing ma
chinery, and, together with the cotton and
lumber industries here, have a continually
growing business. We also find that this
vast mail is handled in two separate build
ings, more than 300 feet apart, which is both
announcement and unsafe, as these buildings
have no fire proof vaults, and are very ex-
pensive to the Government. For these I'M
safe and inconvenient buildings the Govern
ment pays a rental of $500 per year; and
though they are the best that can be had.
they afford but poor returns in the accommo
dations which they give for the rental paid.
1t is estimated by Mr.. Marley, the present
Postmaster, that 81, 900 per year might be
saved to the Government in rental and by
reason of the superior facilities which prop
erly constructed building would afford,
Tbara 10 a Tnital Statas nansinu office at
Augusta which distributes annually 81 800.
900 on account of pensions. The internal
revenue office is also located at Augusta, and
at least one term of the United States court
is required to be held there on account of its
central location in the State and the com
mercial interests which centre here. Angus
ia is at the head of navigation on the Kenne-
bee river and in the midst of large and
rapidly increasing manufacturing and COM
mercial community.
A bill similar to to the one accompanying
this report passed the Senate of the forty
seventh Congress, and was favorably report
ed to the House, but on account fthe illness
of Mr.. Lindsey, who had charge of it, was
not called up on the calendar. Your com
mittee would therefore recommend that bill
II. X. 102, accompanying this report. do
pass limiting the cost of said building and
grounds when completed to the sum of $3.50
900