New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-04

parcefS may HOW De trttlSuiitp'u ''N "''s'
ct fourth-class rates OF postage. -,
II is not possible here to touch even inc icad-
ing heads OF the great postal cstaDlsnneht 10
illustrate the enormous aad rapid growth OF It's
business and the needs FOR legislative re-aulust
ment of much of its machinery that II mas out
grown. For these and valuable recommends
fions of the postmaSterIDeneral, attention Is
earnestly invited 60 his report -. ....,
Department whose revenues nsVe od dn oeG
from si9,772 600 in 1870 TO S32'oo,OO0 IN
1883, despite reductions of postage winch nave
enormously reduced rates OF revenue while
greatly increasing its business. demands the care
fu consideration of the Congress as TO all matters
suggested by those familiar with us operations,
and which are calculated % increase It's efficiency
and usefulness
POST OFFICE BUILDINGS AND EMPLOYEES
bill. proposed by the Postnaster-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 community TO
public building 20 be erected by the Government for
Pct G srO Se puSc CONVENIENCE and tie pro-
motion OF harmony among Extraordinarily
disturbed by change or leasings and of site-it
WAS a measure OF the highest economy and Of
sound business Judgment IL WAS found that the
Government was paying IN rents at the rate Of
from seven 10 ten per cent per annum on what
the cost of such public buildings would be- A
very great advantage resulting from such a law
would be the prevention of q large number OF
bills, constantly introduced for the erection of
public buildings ut places. and involving eNpend-
lures not justified by public necessity l trust
that this measure viii become law ut the pres
ent session OF Congress.
OF the total number Of postmasters, 54,S74 are
of the fourth class. These, of course. receive
no allowances whatever for expenses IN the ser
vice, and their compensation is fixed by percent
ages on receipts at their respective Cfiices This
rate of compensation may have been, ana prob
ably at some time, just bat the standard
has remained unchanged through the several rcduc-
tions in the rates of postage. Such reductions
have necessarily cut down the compensation OF
these officials, while il undoubtedly increased the
business performed by them. Simple justice re-
quires attention 10 this sublecf, to the end that
orrfi, al. NAV
equivalent TO that which the law itself, fixing the
rate, intended for them
Another class of postal employees whose condi-
tiOn seems TO demand legislation is that of clerks
in post offices and call special attention TO the
repeated recommendations of the PoStmaster-Gen-
eral for their classification. Proper legislation
of this character for the relief OF carriers IN the
free-delivery system has been frequent. Pho
vision is made for their promotion: for substi-
tutes for them on vacation for substitutes for
holidays, and limiting their hours Of labor.
Seven million dollars has been appropriated for
the current year to provide for them, though the
total number OF offices where they are employed
is but 35S for the past fiscal year. with AN cstl-
mated increase for the current year OF but 40,
while the total appropriation Ter all clerks IN
offices throughout the United States is S. $50 900.
The legislation affecting the relations of the
Government with railroads Is IN need OF revision
While, for the most part the railroad companies
throughout the country have cordially co-operated
with the Post Office Department in rendering eX-
ccllent service, yet under the law as it stands,
while the compensation TO them for carrying the
mail is limited and regulated, and although rail-
authority repOsed anywhere TO compel the owner
of railroad TO take and carry the United States
mails. The only alternative provided by act OF
Congress in case of refusal is FOR the Postmaster
General TO send mail forward by pony express.
This is but al Illustration of lllftng legislation,
reasonable and proper at the time oil It's enact
ment but long since outgrown and requiring re-
adjustment.
It is gratifying to note from the carefully pre-
pared statistics accompanying the Postmaster
Generals report that notwithstanding the great
expansion Of the service. the rate Of expenditure
ri. l,n hoort i'm
proved in every branch; that fraud and crime
have decreased; that losses frcm the mails have
been reduced, and that the number of complaints
of the service made TO poStmastcrs ana 10 the
Department far less than ever before
MR. GARLAND's OFFICE.
The transactions of the Department of Justice |
for the fiscal year ended June 80, $685. are con- |
tanned in the report of the Attorney-General. as |
well as a number Of valuable recommendations. |
the most of which rcpetitions of those pre- !
viously made. and ought TO receive consideration.
IL is stated in this report that though iudg- |
ments in civil suits amounting to S352,O2l OS |
recovered in favor OF the Government dur !
ing the year, only the sum of Sl32. 934 was col |
1ected thereon and that though fines. penalties
and forfeitures were imposed amounting TO |
s541,s0 AZ. only 81 90, 64S ~ OF that sum was |
paid account tiLrcOf These facts may FUR !
nish Illustration OF the sentiment which eX- |
tensivey prevails that debt due the Gov |
ernme1t should cause no inconvenience to the
citizen.
1t also APP ears from this report that though
prior 10 March, 1883. there had been out SIX con
vicuOns il the Territories of Utah and Idaho |
under the laws of lsC2 and 1882. punishlng |
polygamy ana unlawful cohabitation as crimes,
there have been since that date nearly six hundred
convictions under these laws and the statutes or |
1887; and the opinion Is expressed that under !
such firm and vigorous execution Of these laws,
and the advance OF ideas opposed TO the for |
hidden practices, poygamy within the United |
States is virtually at end.
Suits instituted by the Government under the !
provisions Of the Act OF March ,, 1881 for the |
termination Of the corporations known as The |
Perpetual Emigating Fund Company and the !
Church OF Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have
resulted IN decree favorable TO the Government, |
declaring the charters Of these corporations for
1elted and escheatlng their property Such prop |
cry, amounting IN value TO more than 100000,
rs IN the hands Of receiver pending further
Supreme Court Of the United States
PUBLIC LANDS.
In the report Of the Secretary of the Interior,
which will be laid before you, the condition of |
the various branches of our domestic affairs con-
nected WITH that Department and its operations |
during tho past year, fully exhibited. But |
bref reference TO of the subjects discussed |
III this able and interesting report can here be |
made; but commend the entire report TO the |
stIennon OF the Congress, ana trust that the |
viii secure careful consideration.
cannot too strenuously insist upon the i'm |
portance Of proper measures to insure a right |
disposition Of public lands, not only as a |
matter of present Justice. but IN forecast OF the
consequences 10 future generations. The broad |
otrcS VI our plalnS udNc Dccu
long preserved by nature TO become her untram- |
mellcd gift 10 a people civilized and Free upon |
which should rest. in well-distributed ownership
the numer' homes of enlightened. equal and |
fraternal citizens. They to National pos |
session with the warning example in our eyes OF |
The entail of lnlqulteS IN landed prOprietOrShlp |
which other countries have permitted and still |
suffer. We have excuse for the violation of |
principles. cogcntly taught by reason and eX-
ample, nor for the allowance of preteXts which
have sometimes exposed our lands 10 colossal
greed. Laws which open door 10 fraudulent
acquisition, administration which permits favor
10 RI pacous seizure by u favored few of expanded
that many should enjoy are accessory to
offences against National welfare and hui |
manity be too severely condemned or
punished