New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-13
THE Old TRICK,

There is no branch of the Government which
comes so close to the people that OF the mails,
and tine Democrats in Congress, in attempting
to make false reputation for economy by cut
ting down the appropriations nearly to the Grip
ping point i'll some branches, are making a
blunder. Other divisions of the Government
service touch special classes; this concerns all
classes. The whole population, men and
women and the children almost, are interested
in having the mails swiftly carried, rapidly
distributed and promptly delivered, and the
Democratic House seems to be doing Its best to
interfere with all these processes.
One of the most important matters in the ser
vice is the efficiency Of the carrier system.
With the rapid growth Of our cities, this must eX-
pand largely every year. Within about year,
II cities have been added to the list making the
total 100. The Postmaster-Gcnerala asked an
appropriation OF $l,000,000 for this service,
an increase of 100000, but the committee
cut his estimate 100000. Congress having
provided by the act of 1852 for an increase in
the pay of auxiliary carriers, and for system
of promotion with increase of salary, this appIO-
priation, if made, will really compel the dis
charge, according to Mr.. Ilorr's statement, of
40 carriers, whereas probably 800 additional
carriers are needed in the cities now having the
system, and % cities, having the population
prescribed by law, have applications on file for
admission TO the free delivery system.
The same policy has been pursued with regard
to the railway clerks, who distribute the mails
while in transit, and so make a great saving Of
time. The committee proposes to give only
$1,000, 900 for this servicee, or nearly 100000
less than the estimate. The Department asks
for 3GS additional clerks, - of whom are
needed on railroads. The bill not only makes
no provision for the growth of the service
through the building of new lines and the natu-
raj increase Of postal business everywhere, but
reduces the appropriation below the amount
which would pay the salaries fixed by law of the
clerks now in the service. The committee
has also cut out the increase of $125,OOO
asked for distributing the mails In the !, 700
separating offices In the United States, and
refused any increase for general clcrk-hire,
although an increase of labor is inevitable, and
over 9, 800 applications fer clerks have already
been fled. One of tho pettiest pieces of
economy in the bill is tho provision to pre-
vent any postmaster from receiving any more
than 81 600 salary. This will save the Gov
eminent the enormous sum OF PIJ,OOO year,
for it will affect only nine cities, beginning with
New York Yet those nine cities, whose post
masters are to have their salaries cut down one
half and One-third, collect one-Quarter of the
postal revenues. As Mr.. Bingham pointed out,
the new provision would be ridiculous in its in
equalitics. The postmaster at New York would
receive only $500 a year more than the post
master at Buffalo, though doing twenty times
the business.
Lastly, the bill cuts down the appropriation
for railway mail service $1,000,00O. I he bill
is parsimOnious one, with the sole purpose of
making a false impression upon the country for
use in the Presidential campaign. The trick Of
making short appropriations before the election.
and passing deficiency bills afterward, is worn
out Nh Randall has burned that powder too
often