The Wahpeton times., 1888-12-13
THE MAIL POUCH.
mands REIMBURSEMENT OF the Ma.
chinery-POstal Conventions.

marked increase of business in every branch of
the postal service. The number of postoffices on
July 1, 1883. was 81, 1915. an increase of 6,124
in three years. and of 2.219 for the Last fiscal
year. The latter mentioned increase is c!assi-
fed as follows: New England states, $; Middle
states. ls1; Southern states and Indian Terri.
tory l4ll. 1,406: the states and territories of
the Pacific coast, 100: the ten states and terri
tories OF the West and Northwest. 435; District
Of Columbia. 2: total, 2,2l9. Free delivery Of
hces have increased from 1S9 in the fiscal year
ended June 80. 1887, to 35S in the year ended
has been an increase In one year OF l68 routes.
and in the number OF miles travelled per annum
an increase Of l59,795.9lz4s: the estimated
5000 miles, but the amount Of new railroad
service actually put on was 12,7645O miles.
The volume Of business in the money order
feasSaa se c upws IN postal 81
$l43.O0O.OOO for the year. During the past
year parcel posi- conventions have been con-
Honduras and Mexico, and are now under neeo-
tt.tton with all the Central and South American
states The increase Of correspondence with
FOREIGN countries during the past three years is
ceptional 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 business relations with
them. The practical operation Of the parcel post
conventions 90 far a. negotiated has served to
benefits. In July last general postal oonven.
tion was negotiated with the Dominion Of Can
ada. which went into operation on March /, aud
the United States and Canada. Under It mer.
chaudtse and Parcels may now be transmitted
through the mails at fourth-class rates OF post
leading heads Of tho great postal establishment
to illustrate the enormous and
RAPID GROWTH OF BU MESS
or OF the needs tor legislative roadjustment Of
much OF iER mach1nAFV thai if hoa nvpt
For these and valuable recommendations of the
postmaster general attention ts earnestly in.
pSss ns 99
$50. 600 in 1888. despite reductions Of post
age, which have enormously reduced rates OF
revenue while greatly increasing its business,
greas - to all matters suggested by those IA
mtiiar with it's operations aud which are calcu.
lated to increase its efficiency and usefulness. A
troduced at the last session Of the congress by
which uniform standard In tho amount Of
gross receipts would ax the right Of oommu-
government for postofnoe purposes. It was
demonstrated that aside from the public con-
ss.9i vsnienoe and the promotion of harmony among
sna ste Il
the highest economy and Of sound busi-
ness Judgment. It was found that the
government was paying in rents at the rate Of
from to 10 per cent per snnum on what the
cost OF such public buildings would be. very
great advantage resulting from such q law would
se oe tne ?. prevention OF LARGE number Of bills
buildings at places. and involving expenditures
not justified by public honesty. I trust that
this measure will become law ut the prssenr
postmasters 54.S74 are of tho fourth class
These, Of course, receive no allowances whatever
for expenses in the service, and their compensa-
their respective offices. This rate of compensa-
tion may have been. and probably was at some
time. just: But the standard has remained un-
rates OF postage. Such reductions have neces-
sarily cut down the COMPENSATION of these off,
cials, while 1t undoubtedly increased the busi-
quires attention to this subject to the end that
FOURIE-CLAss POsINAsTERS
may receive at least an equivalent TO that which
the law itself fixing the rate intended for them
tion seems to demand leRislation is that Of
clerks IN postofices. and call especial attention
to the report and recommendations Of the post
master general for their classification. Proper
legislation of this character for the relief of
riers in the free delivery service has been fire.
qucnt: Provision ts made for their promotion:
for substitutes Tor them on vacation: for sub.
stitutes for holidays and limiting their hours 0f
labor. Seven million dollars haa been arpropri-
ated for the current year to provide Tor them.
are employed ia but 358 for the past fiscal year,
with an estimated increase for the current wear
Of but forty. while the total appropriation for
CleE21 III OWCS3 tuxOuKQUub Gue OulGSU 6t8to9
Is $5 .95O. .O0O The legislation affecting the re-
lations OF the government with railroads is in
need Of revision. While for the most
the country have cordially co-0pcrated with the
postofice department. in rendering excellent
service. yet, under the Law as 1t stands. while
the compensation to them for carrying the mail
is limited and regulated. aud although railroads
are made pOst roads by law, there is no authority
reposed anywhere to compel the owners Of q
railroad to take and carry the United States
mail The only alternative provided by act Of
congress- In case Of refusal 10 for tine postmaster
general to send mail forward by pony express.
This is but an illustration Of il-fittinR lesisla.
tton. reasonable andproper At tho time Of it, en-
but long sacs and
carefully prepared statistics accompanying the
postmaster generals report that, notwtthstand.
OF expenditure has been lesasned, and efficiency
haa been improved in every branch. that fraud
and crime have decreased, that losses from tbs
mails have been reduced, and that the number