Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-12-18
POSTAL AFFAIRS.

"enuAClOnS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The annual re-
port of the Postmaster General shows that
the total revenue of the Post-of1ice Depart,
ment during the last fiscal year was S42,-
$50, SAC, and the total expenditures $40, 6O2,-
1Ss, leaving q cash deficiency of 81, O41 ,345,
or, with the amount credited Pacific rail-
roads, a total deficiency of SIS, 3S1, 571. This
difference is due, first, to the decrease of the
revenues, which amounts in total only to
So, 947, S4S; and, secondly, to an increase of
the expenditures to the extent of Sc, AGO.
955, of which Sc, 042, 439 have been in the
cash disbursements and S424,51G in the cost
If transportation upon the Pacific railroads.
Chiefly the decrease of revenue has re.
suited from the diminishment in the
rate of letter postage from three to two
cents upon the half-ounce, which was the
unit of weight during the period, while the
increase of expenditures has arisen piinci-
pally from the natural increase of mails to
be carried and the natural extension of the
service. although other causes nave contrib
uted something to both effects. 1t is thought
that a return Of business prosperity will Sc
cure a surplus during the ensuing year.
The principal results of the increase o.
The unit of weight of tirst-class matter, from
n half-Ounce to an ounce, are a general in
crease III the use of the mails, some decrease
Of the proportion Of letters weighing less
than a half-ounce, and some tendency to
mail, more than formerly, sealed parcels i'll
stead of unsealed. The loss OF revenue for
the year from this cause is estimated
at $500, 900. The reduction of the
rate from two cents tc one cent per pound
of cnpny,,l- p1aeS r,atfnr p{ril,nc off 0rn-lalf
the revenue from this source, and, so far,
there is no indication of any marked in
crease in the quantity of such matter to
compensate the loss.
There has been a decrease in both the
domestic and foreign money-order business,
resulting from the general depression in
trade. Over five million postal notes were
issued, averaging Sl.9S each, producing
$152, 900 in fees.
The special delivery system has met with
public favor, and, the Postmaster General
says, probably should be extended to all Of
fees and to all kinds of mail matter. II
is suggested that postlnaSters and thcil
clerks at small offices be authorized to de-
liver such letters.
The breach between the Department and
the American steamship lines is taken up.
After citing the provisions of the act of
March 3, 1855, which authorized the Post
master-General to enter into contracts for
the transportation Of foreign mails, after
legal advertisement, with the lowest re-
sponsible bidder, at a rate not exceeding
fifty cents a nautical mile Oh the trip each
way actually travelled between the terminal
points: provided, that the mails 50 con-
tracted should be carried on American
steamships, and that the aggregate of such
contracts should not exceed one-half of the
$Soo,000 appropriated, the report
shows that only the routes between
New York and Havana, and be-
tween San Francisco and Japan and
China are navigated by more than one
American company; and, therefore, it was
idle to advertise for a competition which
could not be had. The report shows the
difficulty of adopting the many plans sug-
gested for securing legitimate competition
for the carrying of the mails. The Post
master-General did not consider the
adoption of the mileage contract plan com
pulSOry, and declined to make such contracts
during the recess of Congress. 1t was
thought best to send the mails by the swift
est ships covering the desired routes, using
sometimes the vessels of one line and some
time another, as they were available. 1t
was held by the Department, after thorough
investigation, that the rate of sea postage,
AZ cents per pound Tor papers and 43M cents
per pound for letters, was a proper re-
Enumeration for the service of carrying the
mails, but the desirabilitv of showing the
friendliness of the Government to Amer
lean lines was deemed sufficient warrant for
extending to them the full inland and sea
rate. The PoStmastcr-Geueral says that, in
declining to make yearly contracts, he does
not render a decision as to the policy of
substituting American steamship companies.
He says:
Much has been said about employing the
postal appropriation to aid American COM
mcrce. When Congress shall desire to invest
the Post Office Department with care for that
choose language which will plainly convey
the purpose and impose the duty. Until
then. that Department can not rightrullv en-
pioy the moneys appropriated for the postal
service to secure objects not intrusted to its
care, however meritorious i'll themselves.
Some delays and Inconvenience have arisen
between New York and Colon san Francisco
and Japan and China. and to the west coast OF
Mcxico by the refusal OF the Pacific Mail
Company, and some between New York and
Ecnezuela by the like action OF the Red d
Company. Except these. all the foreign mails
are transported either in the same manner or
a better than during the last year.
Early action by Congress is very desirable
to provide such means as it shall deem appro-
PIRATE to relieve the Inconvenience sustained
on the routes indicated. The Department
recognizes its obligation to the business men
OF the country who have torborne complaint,
with but few exceptions, rather than mani
fest II Willingness to see the Government com
PEELED to a course which, upon careful con-
sidcr,ltiOn, had ben decided incXpedicnt and
unwise TO be pursued. They are entitled to
the earliest practicable relief which can be
given.
Whatever measure OF compensation or pe-
cuniAry aid shall be deemed appropriate. it is
worthy OF serious consideration whether the
steamships which have the protection OF the
Government should be suffered 10 refuse their
service II tho compensation provided shall be
esteemed unsatisfactory. That should be con-
clusivcly determined by Congress or by the
Department.
The report is accompanied by the COM
plete correspondence between the Depart
ment and the steamship companies.
The revenue for the next fiscal year is es-
timated at SAT, 900, 900, and the expendi-
lures are estimated at $50, 600, 600.
OF the IT'S cities where the carrier system
Is in operation, only seventeen realized
more local postage than the expense OF the
service. The surplus at New York was
Sl,13l,5 500; at Chicago, $154, 900; at Phila-
deIphia, S292, 900.
There are now in the country 81, 1852 post
offices, of which 1888 are Presidential.
More new offices were created in Southern
States during the year than in any other
section. The number Of postlnasters APP
pointed during the year was 1903, less
than the preceding year by {, 63S. The