Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-11-13
THE REPORT OF THE FIRST ASSISTANT
POSTMASTER GENERAL.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-FIrst As
siStsnt Postmaster General Stevenson
has submitted to the postmaster gen
eral his annual report upon the oper>
ations of his bureau for the fiscal year
ended July 80. 1885. The whole num-
Der of postoffices at the end of the
year was 81 ,252. Tue whole number
of offices subject TO appointments by
the president, presidential grade, was
223 aud the number subject to appoint
ment by the postmaster general, fourth
class, was 1900. The whole number
of appointments during the year was
II, 20S, made up as follows: On resig~
nations and commissions expired,
6,204; removals and suspensions, $40;
changes of names and sites, 207; deaths
of poStmaSters, 412; establishment of
new offices, 221. The number of chang
es of postmasters during the year was
less than the preceding year, and the
large decrease in the number of cases
acted upon during the year as COM
pared with the preceding year was
due, says Gen. Stevenson, to the fact
that very few changes were made ia
those offices during the winter months
In view of the success of the free
delivery system, its convenience TO
the public and other merits, Gov.
Stevenson says it warrants recom>
mendation that the authority be con-
ferred by legislation for its extension
to places of 10, 900 inhabitants, having
q gross revenue of $4,000. The re
port states that advantages have
resulted from the consolidation OF the
large free delivery offices, aud recon-
mends that the same policy be applied
to sthe non-free delivery offices, so
as to give them the benefits of the
free delivery. 1t is believed that this
consolidation would reduce the labor
of examining the accounts by cutting
down the number of separate post
offices and result in greater harmony
in the service. The postal receipts,
says Gen. Stevenson, forming the
basis of salaries of the presidential
postmasters, fuctuate with the favora
bic or unfavorable condition of the
business of the country. At the pres
ent tiu1e reports show that the coun-
try is entering upon an era of pros~
perity and plenty, and therefore not
less than s., S00,G00 will be required
to pay the salaries of the presidential
postmasters during the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1887. The amount
required last year was s., $50, 600
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT JAMESON
MAKES HIS ANNUAL REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1O.-From the
annual report of General Superinten-
dent Jameson, of the railway service
it appears that the mileage increase
during the past year was over 4,007
miles. The increase IN the number of
pieces of mail matter handled exclu-
sive of registered matter was 42S, 397,>
500 in total distribution of 4, 94S,>
O59, 400 pieces. The general superin-
tendent recommends that congress be
asked to empower the postmaster gen
eral to pay to the widow or minor
children of any clerk, killed while on
duty, an amount equal to one years sal
ary Of the grade to which the deceas-
sd belonged at the time of his death.
He also strongly advocates the exten~
sion of the benefits of the civil service
law to the clerical force of the rail-
way mail service.
THE CABINET MEETING.
WASHINGTON, Noy. 10.-The only
general question diecussed at the
OF the cabinet to-day was in
regard to the construction of the new
naval cruisers authorized at the last
session of congress. All the members
were in attendance,
NO ACTION IN THE STERLING CASE.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-No action
in the Sterling case was taken by the
civil service commission at its meet
ing to- day.
QUALIFIED FOR HIS OFFICE.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1O.-Hon. VIM.
E. Smith, recently appointed assistant
secretary of the treasury, was quail
fed at the department to-day, and
will assume the duties of his office to-
morrow. The heads of the bureaus
and the chiefs OF the division were
presented by Assistant Secretary
Coon, who at the same time took leave
of his associates.
DAMAGED IN A GALE.
WASHINGTON, Nov. TO- Captain
Beardsley, commanding the Pow
haitian. telegraphed the secretary of
the navy from Colon, that his vessel
has been considerably but not serious
ly damaged in a gale. He will prob~
ably be ordered to take her to Key
West for repairs, as he suggests that
the repairing cannot be done at Colon
without great expense and difficulty.
POSTPONED ONE DAY.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-Owing to
the fact that the presence of Secre-
tary Lamar was desired at the cabinet
meeting to-day, the hearing of the
telephone case was postponed until to-
morrow.
THE FISH SUPPLY CAR.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-Tbe United
States fish commission car No. 2 left
Washington tonight with carp to sup.
ply applicants IN Ohio, Michigan, In
diana and Illinois. The applicants
from Ohio will be supplied by express
from Columbus on Friday. and the
applicants from Indiana by express
from Indianapolis on Sunday. Carp
for Michigan will be distributed from
Worthwhile Station by T. n. Clark, su-
perintendent, and for Illinois from
Quincy, through DIR. S. P. Bartlett,
state commissioner.
PREPARING PLANS FOR NEW CRUISERS.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1o.-The bu.
reaus of steam engineering and con-
struction ard repair are preparing
plans for the new cruisers authorized
by congress last winter. When COM
pieted the plans cill probably Re re-
ferred to the special board of naval
officers, of which Commodore Walker
is superintendent, appointed to cons
slider plans for vessels.
HhanCa of Officials