New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
TIE POST0FFICES.

uhAI1f 11NG IMPROVEMENTS.
The affairs of The postal service show marked
and gratifying improvement during the past
year. particular account of it's transactions
and condition is given in the report of the post
master general, which will be laid before you
Ihe reduction OF the rate of letter postage in
1883 rendering the postal revenues inadequate
TO sustain the expenditures and business depres-
slOn also contributing resulted excess Of
cost for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1885, Of
eight and one-third millions of dollars. An ad-
alt1onal check upon receipts by doubling the
measure OF weight in rating sealed correspond
ence and diminishing one-half the charge for
newspaper carriage was imposed by legislation,
which took effect with the beginning OF the past
territorial development and growing population
TOR the extension and increase Of mail facilities
ana machinery necessttate steady annual ad-
vance IN outlay; and the careful estimate of the
year upon the rates Of expenditure then existing
contemplated the unavoidable augmentation OF
the deficiency il the last fiscal year by nearly
Two millions Of dollars, the anticipated reve-
nue. for the last year failed OF realization by
about $64 900, but proper measures of economy
have SO satisfactorily limited the growth
Of }aah that the total decIeasy
and at this time the increase Of revenue is in
gaming ratio over the increase Of cost, demon
: stratlng the sufficiency Of the present rates Of
postage ultimately to sustain the service This
Is the more pleasing because our people enjoy
now both cheaper postage proporuionately to
distances, and vaster and more costly service
than any other upon the globe Retrenchment
has been effected in the cost of supplies: some
expenditures unwarranted by law have ceased,
lected to beneficial scrutiny. At the close of the
last fiscal year the expense of transportation on
star routes stood at an annual rate of cost less
ny over $3.50 900 than at the close OF the previous
year, and steamboat and mail service at nearly
$2OO, 600 less The service has been in the mean
time enlarged and extended by the establish
ment OF new Offices, increase Of routes OF Carri-
age, expansion Of carrier delivery conveniences.
and additions to the railway mail facilities in
accordance with The growing exigencies Of the
country and the long established policy of the
government. The postmaster general calls at
tentlon to the existing law for compromising
railroads, and expresses the opinion that
method met may be devised which will prove more
ernment; and the subject appears worthy Of
your early consideration.
THE OCEAN SERVICE
me differences which arose during the year
with certain Of the ocean steamship companies
nave terminated by the acqu1escence of all in
the policy OF the government appr we'd by con-
gress IN the postal appropriation at it's last ses
sion; ana the department now enjoys the ut
most service afforded by all vessels which sail
from our ports upon either ocean. serv-
ice generally adequate to the needs Of
been presented to the department. by nu-
merous merchants and manufacturers for
the establishment Of direct service to
dispatches to the empire of Brazil: and the OBJ
jec5 is commended to your consideration. It ia
an obvious duty to provide the means Of postal
communication which our commerce REQUIRES.
and, with prudent forecast Of results, the wise
extension Of it may lead to stimulated inter-
course and become the harbinger OF profitable
traffic =, which will open new avenues
for the disposition of the products
OF our industry. The circumstances of the
countries at the far south of our continent are
such as to invite enterprise and afford the
promise Of sufficient advantages to justify an
unusual effort to bring about the closer relations
which greater freedom of communication would
tend TO establish. I suggest that as distin-
gulshed from a grant or subsidy for the mere
benefit of any line of trade or travel, whatever
outlay may be required to secure additional
postal services necessary and proper. and not
otherwise attainable should, be regarded as
within the limit of legitimate compensation for
such service. The extension Of the free delivery
service, as suggested by the postmaster general,
has heretofore received my sanction, and it is
to be hoped suitable enactment may soon be
agreed upon. The request for an appropriation
sufficient to enable the general inspection of
fouroh-class offices has my appreciation. I re-
new my approval of the Recommendation OF the
postmaster general that another assistant be
provided for the postoffice department. and
invite your attention to the several other rec
concentrations in his reDOr,