National Republican., 1884-03-06
sham Economy.

There is true and false economy in
government. The former consists in bring
ing the administration of affairs to business
basis, and in conducting them without un-
necessary expense, and with due regard to
efficiency and the best results. 1t is false
economy to save at the spile and lose at the
bung" or to cut down appropriations below
the point necessary for the efficient conduct
of business.
The house bill making appropriations for
the servise Of tho postoffice department is an
example of false economy in that it pre-
tends to save the peoples money, while
in fact It will, if enacted, seriously en-
barrass the most important business depart
mont of tho government, and cripple branch
Of the public service which comes nearer to
the people than any other. The people dc.
sire aud demand an efficient postal service.
They want it administered with true economy,
but they are willing to pay all IL costs. There
is nothing for which they would more will
ingly sec liboral appropriation made than
for the support of the postal service.
Tho estimates submitted by the postmaster
general for the service during the next fiscal
year amounted to $50,062, lse. The receipts
| of the service for the same period are esti-
mated at $411Ol,o7s, leaving a deficiency
of S2,95s, Ill to be supplied out of the general
treasury. The estimates were carefully pre-
b,,t hn h,oAa nr hnr -
postoflicc department and were subsequently
r, Wis ID by them in consultation with the
postmaster general, and reduced at every
point to the lowest figures believed to
be compatible with an efficient SER
vice. No fancy estimates were SUBJ
mitted: no figures with margin
purposely added to be cut down. Not dollar
was asked for that was not believed to bo
necessary. Every intelligent person knows
that the postal service is growing steadily
and rapidly. Every branch of it is extending
and its business is increasing in all directions.
T he number of postoflices July 1, 1852, was
1921 July l. 1883, it was 41sG3, and the
| increase will continue for many years to
come. In 1882 tho railway mail service
covered 100,563 miles of railroad, with $3.50
employees; in 1883 there were 109,s27 miles
and 1856 employees. Tho comparative
increase will be as great dur
ing the current year. In 1882 there
were liz free delivery offices and 3,115 letter
| carriers; in 1883 there were 154 FREQ delivery
offices and 3,6s9 carriers. There is q great
demand for tho extension Of free delivery
service. These figures are taken at random
to show the rapid growth of the postal service,
and the same is true in all its branches. 1t
needs no argument to prove that great and
growing branch of the public service like this
needs and requires generous support. There
is no economy in crippling it.
The bill reported by the committee makes
sweeping reductions in the estimates, the to-
tai reduction being $3,s00,2s9. The commit
tee claimed to have made reduction of
| Si,SO0,2s9, but this was done in order to
increase tho appearance of economy. The
actual reduction on tho estimates is as above
stated. The reductions are indiscriminate and
arbitrary. Thus, for compensation to post
masters the estimate was $12250,000, which
is reduced to $40 100000. For compensation to
clerks in postoffcos IA very hard worked class
of mem the estimate was 81, 100000; reduced
to $l,775,OOO. For the free delivery service
the estimate was $3,S00, 900; reduced $500, 900
Tho estimate for inland mail transportation
was $12,75O,0OO; reduced to Sl1, 100000. For
railway postoilice car business the esti mate
was $l,625,0O reduced $4,000. Estimate
for rail way postal clerks S4,295, ,2s9; reduced
to 81, 100000. For mail messengers the esti
mate of 81 ,1o0 900 is reduced 100000. Anc
so on through the bill.
1t is evident that these reductions were no
made according to any intelligent rule no
with any view Of benefting the postn
service or the people. They were mado hap
hazard, without regard to the necessities o
the service or to its steady and rapid growtl
in all directions. They were not conceived
in any spirit of true economy. Their sol
purpose was and is to make politica
capital by false appearance of economy ant
in reckless disregard of public interests. l
, the bill is passed in its present form it will
increase the inevitable deficiency in tn
postal service by just about the amount O
the reduction on the estimates. OF cours
this can be provided for hereafter by de
Gcency bill, but that is poor atonement 70
, Gripping great branch of the public service
Such sham economy is contemplate piddlin
business, and a poor way to run great gov
ernment.
IdeaIiZing n Mummy.
The Atlanta Constitution has fallen into lin
for Tilden. and it whOops him up in fin
style. 1t thinks he would "inspre the den
ocrats with confidence and arouse the higl
aud ,,anoua the Aoht y,;t