The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1888-12-07
THE POsTOFFICEs.

with many striking comparisons with
previous years, showing remarkable
increase of business and large in
crease in expenditures. Following
are some of the leading statements of
the report: Gross revenue for the
year, $685., JIG; total expenditures,
inclusive of liabilities for the year un-
paid and embracing the amount for
the transportation of mails on Pacific
roads S56,SS5, ,403; the estimate de-
ficiency, therefore, is S4,190,227. For
the fiscal year commencing July /.
1884, and ending July 3O,1SS5, The
total revenue was $40 $50, ,8i3, and the
cash deficiency, S6,973, ,944. The de-
ficiency for 1886 was 81, ,l66, 59i In
1887 the cash deficiency was 81, ,297 .238.
In 1888 the cash deficiency was 81. .297,-
238. The amount of ordinary postal
revenue for the fiscal year ended Jnne
30, 1889, was S5l, ,S96,589. Add 90 per
cent. for increase, S4.670,717, and this
gives the estimated amount for ordi-
nary postal revenue for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1889, as S56;5G7, ,576.
The amount of estimated revenue
from money order business is 1925, GOO,
and the total estimated gross receipts
for the year ended June 80, 1899 is
$780, 2,576.
The amount appropriated for the
service OF this year is S60,S60, ,233, or
an excess over the amount of the reve-
nues estimated above of S3,447, ,657,
which will be drawn from the general
treasury should the total amount ap-
propriated be needed for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1890. The estimated
amount OF ordinary postal revenue for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1889, is
S56, 6,567 ,576. Add 9 per cent. for in
crease, $5,091 ,0S1, and this gives the
estimated amount of ordinary revenue
for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1889. as SCI, ,65S, ,658; amount of esti-
mated revenue from money order
business, S850000; total estimated
gross receipts for the year ending
June 80, 1890, S62,509,65S, probable
amount of expenditure to be made in
, carrying on the business of the postal
service for the year ending June 80,
1890, as shown by estimates sub
mitted to the secretary of the treas
ury, S65,812,093; deficiency to be sup
piled from the general treasury there
fore, S3,3O3,414.
The total number of postoffices
is 57,376, an increase over 1885 of
6,S15. The number of postmasters ap-
pointed during the year ending June
80, 1888, was 12,2SS, Of which G.521
were on designations and commissions
expired, 1,244 upon removals, $50 to
: fill vacancies by deaths, and 1864 on
=, the establishment of new postoffices.
One thousand six hundred and forty
five postoffices were discontinued
during the year, and the names and
sites Of ], 1,493 were changed. retaining
the incumbents. The adjustment OF
July /, 1888, established 81 offices in
the first class, 497 in the second class,
and 1908 in the third class, making a
total of presidential offices at the date
, last named of 2,502. The gross re.
ceipts which accrued at the presiden.
tlal offices for the four quarters ended
March 81, 1888, amounted to S3S. .499,-
9S7, an increase of So, 1926, ,S26 as COM
pared with the adjustment of July /.
1888. There has been an increase of
$322, 500 in the amount required for
salaries of presidential postmasters
over the amount required for 1887.
i. Statistics are submitted contrast
ing our service with that of Great
Britain, Germany and France, DEM
onstrating that in eheapness of post
age, gross revenue and expenditures,
number of postoffices, extent Of mail
routes, mileage of mail service and
volume of mail matter. transmitted,
the postal system in the United
States is leading the world. The av-
erage number of pieces of mail mat
ter to each inhabitant of the several
countries named, taking last census
as the basis of calculation, is now
about as follows: United States,
pieces per capita. II; Great Britain.
81; Germany, Al; France, 81. He
recommends the revision of the law
regulating the compensation of
fourth class postmasters, by which
the compensation shall be permitted
which was intended by the act Of con-
gress fixing the standard. Through
all the reductions of postage rates
the amount of postage received has
furnished the standard of compensa-
ton to those officials. They number
"a, 4,874. There has been no readjust-
ment of compensation in harmony
with the reduction of postage rates.
Increased labor has been imposed by
increased business resulting from
lower postage, which at the same time
has reduced the compensation.
He recommends, in view of the
enormous and rapidly increasing vol
ume OF matter transmitted through
the mails, that there be commission
OF competent and disinterested men
appointed to investigate the practi-
cability ofpostal telegraphy.
He recommends the enactment of q
law compelling railroad companies TO
receive and carry government mails,
instead of leaving it optional with
, them as at present.
He recommends that the postmaster
general be empowered to purchase
sites and erect permanent buildin gs
! for noafOffipa Ournoeec ipofaod of