Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-12-05

A department whose revenues have increased
from $19772, 900 in 1870 to $50, 100000 in 1888,
despite reductions of postage, which have enor-
mously reduced rates of revenue, while greatly
increasing its business demands the careful con-
siderauon of Congress as to all matters suggested
by those familiar with Its operations and which
are calculated to increase its efficiency and use
fulness
A bill proposed by the postmaster general was
introduced at the last session of the Congress by
which uniform standard in the amount OF
gross receipts would fix the right of q commum
ty to public building to be erected by the gov
eminent for post-ofice purposes 1t wasdemon-
strated that aside from the public convenience
and the promotion of harmony among citizens
invariably disturbed by change of leasings and
of site, 1t was a measure OF the highest economy
and of sound business Judgment. 1t was found
that the government was paying in rents at the
rate of to 10 per cent. per annum on what the
cost of such public buildings would be. very
great advantage resulting from such flaw would
be the prevention of large number of bills.
constantly introduced for the erection OF public
buildings at places and involving expenditures
not justified by public necessity. / trust that
this measure will becomes law at the present
session of Congress
OF the total number of the rostmasters 54,S74
are of the fourth class. These, OF course, re-
ceive no allowances whatever for expenses in the
service, and their compensation is fixed by per-
centage on receipts in their respective offices.
This rate of pensation may. have been and
probably as, at some time, just. But the stand
ard has remained unchanged through the sew
eal redu ctions IN the rates of postage. Such re-
ductions have necessarily cut down the compen-
sation of these officials, while 1t undoubtedly in
creased the business performed by them elm
pie justice required attention to this subject to
the end that ourth-ciass postm ers may receive
at least equivalent to that which the law it.
self fixing the rate intended ior them.
Another class of postal employees whose condi-
ton seems TO demand legislation, is that of
clerks in post-otfces and call especial attention
to the repeated recommendations of the post
master general for their classic cation. Proper
legislation of this character for the relief of
riers i'll the free delivery service has been fire.
quent. Provision is made tor their promotion;
for substitutes for them on vacation Tor substi
lutes for holidays, and limiting their hours of
labor. Seven million dollars has been appro-
prateil for the current year 10 provide for them,
though the total number of offices where they
employed is but S5S for the past fiscal year,
with an estimated increase for the current year
of 400, while the current appropriation fer all
clerks throughout the United States Is $3.50, 000
The legislation affecting the relations of the
government with railroads is in need of revision.
While for the most part the railroad companies
throughout tn country have cordially
operated with tie Post-ofhce Department in
rendering excellent service, under the law it
stands while he compensation to them for carry
ing the mail is limited and regulated and
although railroads are made postroads by law,
there is no authority Iep0eed anywhere to COM
pei the owner Of railT DAD Id take and carry the
United Suites mail. The only alternative pro.
vided by act of Congress in of refusal is for
the postmaste- general to send mail forward by
pony express. This is but an illustration of
lllftting legislation enable and proper at the
time OF its euactment but long since outgrown
and requiring leadiustment.
II is crafty Ing 10 mute from the carefully pre-
pared statistics accompanying he postmaster
generals report that, nOtw thstanding the great
expansion of the service, the rate or expenditure
has been lessened and efficiency has been i'm
proved in every branch. that fraud and crime
have decreased, that losses from the mails have
been been reduced and that the number of CON-
plants of the service made TO postmasters and
70 the department are far less than ever before.