The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-17
THE P0STMASTERS.
They Point with Pride" and Strongly Init.
mate that They Desire Larger Salaries.


mate that They Desire Larger Salaries.
CHICAGO Feb. 16-At the second days ses-
sion of the Postmasters national convention, this
forenoon, the reports of the committees were
called for. The committee on mailing letters re-
ported the following:
Whereas Great loss is incurred upon postmasters
situated upon all railroads by mailing letters upon
trains therefore, be it
Resolved That we recommend to Congress that all
postal clerks be supplied with cards. and that they
shall enter thereon the number of letters cards and
papers, and their denomination, and return this card
to the postoice at the mailing point and the post
master shall take credit in his cancellations for the
same.
The report was unanimously adopted The
committee on the improvement of the registry
system reported that they were unable to make
any suggestions for an improvements in the pres
emit system After considerable wrangling the
report was laid on the table. The committee
appointed to report on the subject of the special
delivery, made a report mending that the
special delivery system be extended to all towns
and cities of four thousand population. After a
long discussion the report was adopted.
The committee on postmasters bonds sub
mitted a resolution that corporations be taken as
surety on postmasters' bonds. Adopted.
The chairman was instructed to forward the
following congratulatory telegram:
ington:
The postmesters' national convention. in ses-
sion in this city begs to tender its sincere con-
administration. BY order Of the convention,
j. HENRY GRUBBS, Chairman.
The committee on postal savings banks and
postal telegraphs reported that they did not con-
slider it within the provinces of the convention
to consider the question of legislation on these
subjects. and recommended that "the subject be
allowed to remain with the wisdom OF Congress
and the recommendations of the Postofice De-
partment." Some of the delegates desired to
plunge into the topic but the report was sum-
marily adopted without debate.
The committee on box-rents submitted a reso-
luton, which was adopted. declaring that,
Whereas, Under the postal laws of 1879. in order
to induce postmasters to construct and maintain suit
able boxes for the accommodation of the public post
masters entitled to receive the rents arising from
said boxes the act of March g. 1888 makes the rent
of these boxes payable to the United States govern
ment; that the action of the government in receiving
the rents for property which it does not own IS
tainy unjust; therefore,
Resolved, That the government should purchase
and all postoffce boxes necessary for the
fence of the of the various Offices of the fourth
class doing business of over $500 per annum, and all
boxes used in thirdclass Offices and receive all reve-
therefrom and where suitable boxes already
provided tat the government be requested to pur-
chase said boxes
The committee on organization of Postmast-
ers' Mutual Benefit Association reported recon-
mending the formation of association, and
the committee said it would undertake the pre-
liminary work of forming society TO insure the
lives of its mem bers, provided sufficient num-
Der. guarantee of good faith, advanced the
sum of 81 as preliminary assessment.
After reassembling the committee on resolu-
tons made the following report:
We the REPRESENTATIVES, of tho postmasters of the
United States OF the third and fourth classes in
tiOnal convention assembled hereby resolves
First-That we point with pride to the postal sys-
a bu m M ed "
successive administrations of the national govern
ment, until it stands to-day marvel of simplicity,
Gated and laborous business of the public with such
facility and dispatch as to command the respect and
confidence of the nation.
Second-That in the Presidents recommendations
to Congress relative to postal affairs recognize
Grover Clevelands administration a worthy sue
to any which has preceded it. In Postmaster
general Villas and in Assistant Postmaster general
Stevenson we recognize earnest and constant cham
pions of every valuable improvement in the postal
service and in the condition of its employees; that
realize the relative position which the third and fourth
class postmasters sustain to the public and that
earnestly recommend that each individual postmaster
constantly study the public convenience and in every
way possible aid the public department in making the
service efficient and of greater usefulness to the
public.
regulations fixing the salaries and allowances of third
and postnasters has been found. by prac
teal experience to work great hardships to the in.
cumbents OF those Offices the reasonable demands of
the public to convenience in the handling of mail
making the administration of those offices very expen-
sve in proportion to the salaries allowed These ex.
penses having to be borne entirely by the posasers
out OF their slender salaries consume the larger por
ton of it.
Fourth-That recognize in the Postmasters'
Rational Association. ordered to be formed by this
convention the official representative of the third and
fourthclass postmasters of the United States. To
them we delegate the duty of preparing memorial
to Congress, specifying in particular the irregniari
tics in the present postal laws affecting salaries and
compensation: authorizing them to prepare and have
submitted to Congress suitable legislation looking to
Congress we commend these, representatives.
specially asking for them patient hearing and an
equitable consideration of the claims which they ay
present having the utmost confidence that the repre-
sentatives of the people in Congress win afford to the
postal servants Of the people sufficient means and
facilities to meet the reasonable requirements of the
people in regard to the proper administration of the
Offices
These resolutions were heartily applauded and
adopted without question.
The committee on ney-orderS recommended
that 1.-The letter of advice" be abolished as cum
bersome and that the name of the payee and re-
mitter be written in the face of the order and q
copy entered on stub, after the style of the
present postal note. The committee also recon-
mended that the fees charged on issuing money
orders be reduced and graded as follows: 81 to
$40. CENTS $40 to SIS, 10 cents; $15 to $50, Is
cents; $50 to $50 20 cents; $50 to $75 Is cents;
| $75 to 800, 80 cents.
| Ii was resolved to appoint an advisory commit
| tee of five to work in conjunction with the ma
/ tional committee j. 81. Patterson was made a
member OF the national committee. The con-
vention then adjourned.
Losses by Fire.
EVANSVILLE Ind Feb l6-There was de.