Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-23
Staniitotl Spectator.
TEDNEsDAY. DECEMBER %, 1885.
A Government Building for Staunton.


The most casual glance at the accommo-
dations of the postofice in this city, at the
interior as we'll as the exterior arrange
ments, will satisfy the observer of their in
completeness, and the inadequate space-all
that can be now procured-for the needs of
the city postal service. The fact is the
room assigned for the multiplicity of work
to be done is not more than sufficient for a
population of twelve hundred, whilst it has
to meet the demands of ten thousand, en-
bracing the city and suburbs in the esti-
mate, and one of the largest distributing
centres in the State. 1t is the impression
of those who have thought about the matter
that there is no building suitably located
which can be obtained at less than very
heavy cost, and that if Investigated by the
department, in view of the present necessi-
ties and the growing demands of the mail
service, that expedients to be continually
amended would be discarded as more ex-
pensive in the END than the cost of build
ing, which, while providing for the present,
world be ample for all the future.
There are received and despatched daily
mails for eight railroad trains and four star
routes. This service involves through and
local distribution on each. In addition to
the local on the star routes, which embrace
more than half of the Offices in Augusta
county, there come Highland, Allegheny,
and parts of Rockbridge in Virginia, and
Pocahontas, Pendleton, and other sections
Of West Virginia. Room sufficient for this
branch Of duty at our postofice ought to be
as large as that now occupied by it, the
general delivery, and the lock-boxes, all
of which, including entrance-hall, and
thoroughfares, are crowded into its narrow
limits. The last inch of space which could
be obtained for lock-boxes has recently
been appropriated. The daily demand for
more has to be denied, because of INSULT
Gent room. The whole open area for en-
trance and pass-way and to serve callers at
the general and lock delivery is about i've
by thirty feet. When the mails are first
ready for delivery this area does not accom-
modate one-third of the throng pressing in
and out of the narrow enclosure, but it is
all the room that can be appropriated for
that purpose at present.
The room in the rear appropriated for the
special services of registered letters, money
and postal-orders, and persons calling for
accommodation in those departments, has
also to furnish space for the office Of the
postmaster, his assistant, clerks desks, &c.,
and, like the space in front, is wholly mad
equate for the duties required.
Mr.. William A. Burke, our postmaster,
has communicated with the Postofice De-
partment, and Mr.. Tucker, our representa-
tive in Congress, in relation to the needs OF
the mail service here, and it is to be hoped
that proper action will be taken in the
premises at the earliest practicable time.
The city has an organization represent
ing it's business interests, and in fulfilling
its functions in the interests of the commu-
nifty, has deemed the inadequate postolfce
accommodations matter coming within
the scope of it's action; at least so far as to
voice the universal opinion of the situation,
and to contribute its aid in asking relief OF
the government ''The Staunton Mer-
chants and Manufacturer Associations