The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-01

Inc revenues were %, lFu,OOJ.oOf UT t. UeE
cent less than these of the previous year;
the decrease being attributable to the reduction
of letter postage from to cents, which took
effect Oct. l. 1883.
In addition to the amount expended for the
service of the year, 1913 500 60 was paid on ac-
count of liabilities of previous years, making
the total amount disbursed during the year lex
elusive of credits to the Pacific railroads. ST..
224 5602I
The expenditures are iternized in table No.
accompanying the report of the Third Assistant
Postmaster general. The amount paid to post
masters was 81 2S3, 81, an increase of $685.,
1864 over that Of the previous year for the
same purpose. This expenditure was 1888, 630.S7
in excess of the appropriation.
AS explained in former reports, the law fixes
the rate OF compensation to postmasters, allow
ing them to retain it out of the proceeds of their
offices before turning over the surplus to the
government, and the deficiency was therefore
unavoidable by the department For clerks IN
postofices there was an increase in expenditure
of 1861 $40 o. or 81 per cent; and for letter
riers $3.50 9000l or l0.4 per cent.
For railroad transportation the audited eX-
penditures and estimated liabilities for the sery-
ice of the year, includingalso the same credited
to the Pacific railroads, are shown by the report
of the Second Assistant Postmaster general at
$13,S15,163
The aggregate amount appropriated for the
service of the year was $40, TAG, 03762, or $34l,
07697 more than the amount disbursed on &C
count thereof and 1886, 1874 81 less than the total
disbursements and outstanding liabilities, In
table No. 3, accompanying the report of the
Third Assistant Postmaster-general, the appro-
priations will be found by items,
The following are the estimated receipts and
expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 80
1856:
Ordinary postal revenue, $50 ST., SPOOL
Net receipts hem monoyerder bust
ness. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 400, 10000
Total S51, 272, s2O,21
Estimated expenditures, including
amounts credited under existing
law to Pacific railroad companies 90 099, l6S,0O
Deficiency to be supplied out OF the
general treasury. ...--.--..---.--- 4,S26,349.26
An estimate of the revenue for the ensuing
fiscal year is attended with great uncertainty,
because of the reduction of letter postage to
cents which took efecton the LIST of October 1893.
Alth ough the change was in actual operation
during three-quarters only of the last fiscal
year it's effect felt upon the revenue for the
entire year; the sales of stamps for the quarter
ended Sept. 80 1888. having been greatly cur
tailed in view Of the then approaching reduction
in the rate. Thus the sales for that quarter
under the Scent rate amounted to $40 0S3 500 50.
while the average for the three succeeding
quarters was $40. 220 1871 So
1t is evident that the revenue exhibited for the
last year would not have been greatly varied had
the change taken effect the LIST July instead of
the LIST October The revenue for the entire year
is therefore taken as the basis on which to esti-
mate for the present and ensuing fiscal years.
An annual increase OF per cent is assumed,
which would result as follows:
Amount of ordinary postal revenue
for year ended June 80, 1881. S42, 81 8, 90
Add per cent for increase .-------- 1898, 67115
Gives estimated ordinary revenue for
year ended June 80, 1885 ........ DC, 672, 312 Is
Add per cent. for increase as be-
fore acknowledgements. 1900, sos 90
'1ives estimated ordinary revenue for
year ending June 80, 1856 ...--.-- so, So, S20.24
Add estimated net receipts from
money.order business. .!......-.- 400, 10000
Gives total estimated revenue for
year ending June 80 1SS6-..-.-.- 5l,272. $50 24
REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF POSTAGE.
The past year marked an important epoch in
che history of the postal service through the re
duction in the letter-rate of postage from to .
cents, taking effect on the LIST of October, 1883
under the provisions of the act of March 3, 1883
AS the class of matter affected yielded by far
the largest portion of the postal revenue the
change, of course, produced an immediate falling
off in the receipts. The ordinary postal revenue
for the year ended June so, 1884, was $2,27s-
438 "a less than that of the preceding year To
this loss should. of course, be added that of the
natural increase to have been expected had the
3-cent rate remained in force. An increase of
per cent. on the ordinary revenue of 1883 tex
elusive of the money-order busness.) would
amount to 81 058 1876 So which, added to the
amount previously stated, would give Sc
174 SO to represent the loss for the first year
under the change in the rate. Though the 3
cent rate was in force during the quarter ended
Sept. 30 1883, the sales of stamps, ETC., for
that quarter were $l37, 27I. 50 less than the
average for the three remaining quarters under
the 2.cent rate; the anticipated change in the
rate having led to serious falling off in the sale
of stamps. That the loss of revenue was not
greater must be regarded gratifying, in view
of the fact that the estimates on which the
change was based contemplated loss for the
first year of about 81, 600, 900 1t is evident
the prediction has been fully verified that the re
duced rate would greatly stimulate letter cor
respondepce. and lead to the substitution of
sealed Enclosures for postal cards and
open circulars. The increase in the
the department having no statistics
to show the number of pieces Of each of the sew
eral classes of matter mailed, and the same kind
of stamps being used indiscriminately for first,
third and fourth class matter. Neither DO the
sales furnish any guide, since postmasters in
accounting to the auditor report the amount in
the aggregate and not in detail Of the several
kinds and denominations.
A comparison of the issues to poStnlaSterS of >
and Scent stamps and stamped envelopes for
the nine months ended June 30, 1888 under the 8
cent rate, with the issues of and 3 cent stamps
and stamped envelopes during the corresponding
nine months ended June 30, 1884, under the 2
cent rate, may be found Of interest in this con
neetiOn, though affording no certain indication
of the actual sales During the nine months
ended June 30, 1888, the number of 2-cent
stamps and stamped envelopes issued was l04
642 125, valued at 80, 092, $40 So and of Scent
stamps and stamped envelopes 653 629, $50, valued
at $40 COS, 1880 The number of 2-cent stamps
and stamped envelopes issued during the niue
months ended June 30, 1854. was 955 1917 400
valued at $40 10S 54S and of 3-cent stamps (the
issue Of Scent stamped envelopes having ceased)
was III, 300, valued at $3, S19 The total number
Of and Scent stamps and envelopes issued
therefore during the former period was 1853 27l,
455, valued at $2l 701 722 49, and during the lat
ter period $50. 554 700 valued at $40 112 1867; an
increase in number of 1877, 2s3, 24j or &c per
cent, and decrease in value Of g. $50 355. 40 or
IL per cent
In postal cards there was a decrease in the
ssues Of 16 $40 600 or Is per cent. for the year