Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-10
POSTAL SERVICE.
Affairs of this Department In Very
Satisfactory Condition.

Affairs of this Department In Very
Satisfactory Condition.
The affairs Of the postal service show
marked and gratifying improvement dur
ing, the past year. A particular account OF
its transactions and condition is given IN the
be laid before you. The reduction Of the
rate OF letter postage in 1888 render
ing the postal revenues inadequate,
to sustain the expenditure and
business depression also contributing
resulted in an excess Of cost for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1885, OF eight and one
third millions Of dollars: an additional check
upon receipts by doubling the measure OF
weight in rating sealed correspondence, and
diminishing one half the charge for newepa.
per carriage was imposed by legs alton.
who took effect with the beginning of the
past fiscal year; while the constant demand of
our territorial development and growing
population for the extension and increase OF
mail facilities and machinery necessities
full estimate OF the year upon the rates OF ex-
penditu1e then existing contemplated the uYl-
ayo1dable augmentation OF the deficiency in
the last fiscal year by nearly 100000. The
anticipated revenue for the last year failed OF
realization by about So, 900. but proper meas
ures Of economy have so satisfactorily limited
the growth of expenditure that the total de-
dciency. in fact, fell below that OF 1855, and
ct this time the increase OF revenue
ia in a gaining ratio over the increase of cost,
demonstrating the sufliciency Of the present
rates of postage ultimately to sustain the serv-
ice. This is the mere pleasing because our
people enjoy now both cheaper postage, pro-
portionately to distances, and vaster and more
costly service than any other upon the globe.
Retronchment has been effected in the cost OF
supplies, some expenditures unwarranted BY
1A.,. onI r.
rage have been subjected to beneficial ecru-
tiny. At the close of the last fiscal year the
expense Of transportation on
STAR ROUTES
stood at annual rate Of cost less by over $780,
coo than at the close OF the previous year, and
steamboat and mail messenger service at
nearly $500, OOO less. The service has been
in the meantime enlarged and extended by the
establishment Of new offices, increase OF routes
Of carriage, expansion of carrier delivery con-
veniences and additions to the railway mail
facilities in accordance with the growing ext
gencies of the country, and the long estao-
iished policy Of the government. The
postmaster general calls attention to
the existing law for compromising
railroads, and expresses the opinion that q
method may be devised which will prove more
inst to the carriers and beneficial to the gov
ernment; and the subject appears worthy OF
your early consideration. Inc omefences
which arose during the year with certain OF the
ocean steamship companies have term1n
sted by the acquiescence OF all ir
the policy Of the government, approved by
the congress in the postal appropriation at 1T
last session; and the department now enjoyt
the utmost service afforded by all vessels
which sati from our ports upon either oceaD-
. service generally adequate to the needs Of
our intercourse. Petitions have
however, been presented to thu
department by numerous merchants
and manufacturers for the establishment Of .
direct service to the Argentine republic, and
for semi-month'y dispatches to the empire o.
Braz{l. and the object is commended to youl
consideration. 1t is an obvious duty to pro
vide the means Of postal communication
which our commerce requires, and with prn
dent forecast Of results, the wise extension O
It NAV lead 10 stimulate intercourse and oe
come the harbinger Of profitable traffic
which will open new avenues for the DISPOSE
ton Of the products Of our industry. The
circumstances of the countries at the lar souti
of our continent are sueh as to invite our en-
terp1,.e and afford the promise OF sufdcien
advantages to justify an unusual eftor
to bring about the close
relations which greater freedom
Of Communication would tend to establish.
suggest that, a. distinguished from grant o.
subsidy for the mere benefit OF any line O