Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-17

UnqusS tionably il we are content with the main-
tenance Of a navy department simply shabby
ornament 10 the government a constant watch
fulHess may prevent some of the scandal and
abuse which have found tfsir way into our pres
ent organization, and its fncurable waste may
be reduced 10 the minimum. But if we desire To
build ships for present usefulness instead of naval
reminders of the days that past must
have department. organized for the work. sup
piled with al that the talent and ingenuity
of our country affords, prepared to take
advantage OF the experience of other nations,
sy>tvmttZed that one effort shall unite ana lead
in one direction, and fully embued with the con-
viction that war vessels, though now are useless,
they combine that ingenuity OF which man has up
20 this day brought forth re ating TO their con-
struction. earnestly recommend that portion of
the Secretary's report devoted TO this subject to
toe action OF congress in the hope that his sug-
geStlOnS touching the reorganization of his de-
parsment may be adopted as the first step toward
the construction of eur navy.
THE POSTAL SERVICE
The affairs of the postal service are exhibited
by the report OF the postmaster general, which
will be laid before you. The postal revenue whose
rate Of gain upon the rising prosperity Of 1892
and 1888 outStI1pped the increasing expenses of
our growing service, was checked by the reduc-
ton in the rate Of letter postage, which took
effect with the beginning Of October in the
latter case, and it diminished during the two
past fiscal years 2,790,000 in the proportion
OF S2,a7O,o60 in 1884, to 1920, 900 in 1885.
Natural growth and Development have mean.
time increased expenditures resulting in a de-
ffciepcy in the revenue 70 meet the expenses OF
the department of five and sourth millions dol
lars for the year 1884, and eight and one-third
million in the last fiscal year. The anticipated
ard natural revival OF the revenue has been
oppressed and retarded by the unfavorable bust
ness condition of the country, of which the postal
service IS a useful calendar. The gratifying fact
is shown however, by the report that our return
ing prosperity is marked by gain of $3.50, 600 in
the,revenue of the latter half of last year. over
the corresponding period of the preceding year.
The change in the weight OF first class matter,
which may be carried for single rate OF postage,
from half ounce to an ounce and the reduction
by one half OF the rate of newspaper postage
which, under recent legislation, began with the
current year, will operate to restrain the aug
mentation of the receipts, which otherwise might
have been expected TO such degree that the
scale of expense may gain upon the revenue and
cause an increased deficiency to be shown at its
close Yet after no long period of reawakened
prosperity and by proper economy it is confident
ly anticipated that even the present low rates,
now as favorable us any country affords, will be
adequate to sustain the cost of the service,
The operation or the use OF the post office de-
plrtment is for the convenience and benefit of
The people, and the method by which they pay
the charges of this useful arm of their public
service so that it may be just and impartial, is OF
less Importance to them than the economical eX-
penditureS that the means they provide for its
maintenance and the due improvement of its
agency, so that they may enjoy its highest use
fulntSS. 4 proper attention has been directed TO
The prevention OF waste or extraVagance and
good results appear from the report to have al
ready been accomplished.
l approve the recommendation Of the post
master general to reduce the charges on dGInes-
tic money orders of five dollars and less from
eight to five cents, This change will materially
aid those Of our people who most of all avail
themselves of this fundamentally, but to whom
tho element of eheapnesS is of greatest import
ahce. With this regulation the system would
still remain Sef-SuppOrting. The free delivery SyS
tenn has been extended to seventy nine additional
cities during the year, and 17o now enjoy its con-
veniences. Experience has commended it to
those who enjoy it's benefits, and further enlarge
mentS of its facilities is due to other comnuni-
ties.
In the cities where it has been established,
taken together the local postage exceeds its
maintenance by nearly one million three hundred
thousand dollars. The limits to which this system
is now confined by law has been nearly reached
and the reasons given justify its extension which
is proposed. 1t decided with my approba-
ton after sufficient examn 6ion, to be inexpe-
dient for the poStoffice department TO contract
for carrying
OUR FOREIGN MAILS
under the additional authority given by the last
congress. The amount limited was Inadequate to
pay all within the purvieu of the law the full
rate Of fifty cents per mile. 1t would have been
unjust and unwise to have given 1t to some and
denied it to others. Nor could contracts
have been let under the law to all at a
in the appropriation without such prac-
Ecal arrangement of terms would have
violated the rate OF sea and inland postage
clearly appears to be fair compensation for the
desired SERVICE being three times the price nee
essary to secure the transportation by other yes
sells upon any route and much beyaId the
charges made to private persons for service not
less burdensome
Some of the steamship companies upon the
refusal of the postmaster general TO attempt by
the means provided the distribution of the sum
appropriated as extra compensation, withdrew
the services of their vessels and thereby occa-
stoned slight inconvenience, though no consider
able injury. The mails have been dispatched by
other means. Whatever may be thought of the
policy OF subsidies of the line of public convey
ance or travel satisfied should be done I'M
der cover of an expenditure incident to the adj
mnistration of department, nor should there be
any uncertainty to the recipients of subsidy or
any discretion left to executive officer as to
the distribution.
If such gifts of public money are to be made
for the purpose of aiding any enterprise in the
supposed interests of the public, cannot but
Charles might better be determined by congress
than ia any other way. The international con-
greSS of delegates from
THE POSTAGE UNION COUNTRIES,
convened at Lisbon, in Portugal, in February
last, and after session of some weeks the dele
gates signed a condition amendatory of the
present postal union. The convention. in some
particular, designed to advance its purpoSes This
additional act has had my approval and will be
laid before you with the department reports.
L approve the recommendation of the post
master general that
ANOTHER ASSISTANT
be provided for his department. l invite your
consideration TO the SeAeral other recommends
tions contained in his report.