Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-03


crease is classified as follows:
New England states. ................... 5
southern states and Indian Territory (4l) LAOS
The states and territories of the Pacific
coast. ...-.--.. Il"
The ten states and territories OF the west
and northwest. ....-.-.----------.--. sSS
District Of Columbia. ............-......
Total 2219
Free-deliyery offices have increased from lss
in the fiscal year ended June 80. 1887, TO Soo IN
the year ended June So 1888. In the railway
mail service there has been an increase IN one
year Of 16s routes, and in the number OF miles
travelled per annum an increase OF l5,1so VII. 4o.
The estimated increase OF railroad service ior
the year was 5000 miles. but the amount OF
new railroad service actually put on was Z
764. so miles. The volume OF business in the
money-order division, including TRANSACTIONS
in postal notes, reached the sum OF upward OF
Sl43, 900 900 for the year.
PARcEL-Posr CONVENTIONS.
During the past year parcel-post conventions
have been concluded with Barbados, the Ba-
hamas. British Honduras. and Mexico, and are
now under negotiation with all the Central and
South American states The increase of cor
respondence with foreign countries during the
past three years is gratifying, and is especially
notable and exceptional with the Central and
South American states, and with Mexico. As
the greater part OF mail matter exchanged with
these countries is commercial in its character,
this increase is evidence of the improved bust
ness relations with them. The practical oper-
alton of the parcel post conventions, so far as
negotiated. has served to fulfill the most fav-
orable predictions as to their benefits. In
January last general postal convention was
negotiated with the Dominion of Canada,
which went into operation on March /. and
-
the United States and Canada. Under it mer-
chandise parcels may now be transmitted
through the mails at fourth-class rates of
postage.
GROWTH OF THE POSTAL SERVICE.
1t is not possible here to touch even the lead
ing heads of the great postal establishment. to
illustrate the enormous and rapid growth of
its business and the needs for legislative re-
adjustment of much Of its machinery that il
has outgrown. For these and valuable recon-
mendations of the Postmaster General, atten-
ton is earnestly invited TO his report. de-
partment whose revenues have increased from
s19772 900 in 1870 TO $50 200 900 in 1885, despite
reductions of postage which have enormously
reduced rates of revenue while greatly increas-
ing its business demands the careful consider
alton of the Congress as to all matters suggested
by those familiar with its operations and
which are calculated to increase its efficiency
and usefulness.
bill. proposed by the Postmaster General.
was introduced at the last session of the Com
gress, by which a uniform standard in the
amount OF gross receipts would fix the right of
community to public building to be erected
by the government for post-ofiice purposes. Ii
was demonstrated that aside from the public
convenience and the promotion of harmony
among citizens-invariably disturbed BY change
Of leasings and of site-it was measure of the
highest economy and of sound business judg-
ment. 1t was found that the government was
paying in rents at the rate of from seven to
ten per cent per annum on what the cost of
such public buildings would be. very great
advantage resulting from such a law would be
the prevention of large number of bills con-
stantly introduced for the erection OF public
buildings at places, and involving expenditures,
not justified by public necessity. / trust that
this measure will become q law at the present
session of Congress.
POSTAL EMPLOYEES
OF the total number of postmasters. 81. 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
percentages on receipts at their respective
Offices. This rate Of compensation may have
been, and probably was. at some time. Just. but
the standard has remained unchanged through
the several reductions i'll the rates of postage
Such reductions have necessarily cut down the
compensation of these officials, while il un-
doubtedly increased the business performed by
them. Simple justice requires attention TO
this subject, to the end that fourth-class post
masters may receive at least an equivalent to
to that which the law itself, fixing the rate in
tended for them.
Another class of postal employees whose con-
ditlon seems to demand legislation is that Of
clerks in post-offices; and call especial atttn-
ton to the repeated recommendations of the
Postmaster-General for their classification
Proper legislation of this chara ter for the re-
lief OF carriers in the free-delivery service has
been frequent. Provision is made for their
promotion; for substitutes for them on vaca-
ton; for substitutes for holidays. and limiting
their hours Of labor. Seven million dollars has
been appropriated for the current year To pro-
vide for them, though the total number of
offices where they are employed is but 35S for
the past fiscal year, with an estimated increase
for the current year of but 40 while the total
appropriation for all clerks in offices through
out the United States is s., $4,000.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RAILROADS
The legislation affecting the relations of the
government with railroads is in need of revi-
sion. While, for the most part, the railroad
companies throughout the country have cor
daily co-operatei with the Post-Ofice depart
ment in rendering excellent service, yet under
the law as it stands, while the compensation to
ulated, and although railroads are made post
roads by law, there is no authority reposed
anywhere to compel the owner of a railroad
to take and carry the United States mail The
only alternative provided by act of Congress
In case of refusal is for the General
TO send mail forward by pony express This
is but an illustration of Hitting legislation
reasonable and proper at the time of its enact
ment, but long since outgrown and requiring
readjustment.
1t Is gratifying to note from the carefully
prepared statistics accompanying the Post
master-Generals report that, Notwithstanding
the great expansion of the service the rate of
expenditure has been lessened. and efficiency
has been improved in every branch; that fraud
and crime have decreased; that losses from the
mails have been reduced. and that the number
OF complaints of the service made to post
masters and to the department are far less
than ever before.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The transactions of the Department of Jus.
tice for the fiscal year ended June 80. 1888. are
contained in the report of the Attorney Gen.
eral, as well as a number of valuable recon-
mendations. the most of which are repetitions
OF those previously made, and ought to receive
consideration. 1t is stated in this report that
though judgments in civil suits amounting to
S5o2,02l.Oo were recovered in favor of the gov
eminent during the year. only the sum OF
Sl32, 934 was collected thereon. and that though
fines. penalties and forfeitures were imposed
amounting to S541, S0S.43, only SI09,64s.42 OF
that sum was paid ON account thereof These
facts may furnish an illustration of the senti-
ment which extensively prevails, that a debt
due the government should cause no inconye-