Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-06

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 community to a
public building to be erected by the government
for postofhce purposes. 1t was demonstrated
that aside from the public convenience and the
promotion Of harmony among citizens inyaria.
bly, disturbed by change of leasings and of site,
it was measure of the highest economy and Of
sound business Judgment. 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. 4 very
great advantage resulting from such q law wouli
be the prevention Of a large number Of bills con-
Stantly introduced for the erection, of public
buildings at places and involving ex-
penditures not justified BY public neces-
Sity. 1 trust that this measure will
become a law at the present session
OF congress OF the total number of the post
masters 54,Ss4 are of the fourth class. These, of
course, receive no allowances whatever for ex-
Penses IN the service, and their compensation is
liked by percentages on the receipts of their re-
SpectiVe 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 in the rates CT
postage. Such reductions have necessarily cut
GOWN the compensation Of these officials, while
1t undoubtedly increased the business performed
Dy them Simple Justice requires attention to
inns SUBJECT, Is the end that fourth class post
masters may receive at least an equivalent to
that which the law itself fixing the rate intended
for them.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The transactions of the department of justice
Tor the f1scal year ended June So 1885, are con-
tanned IN the report of the attorney general as
number OF valuable Recommendations. 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 S552, 02l 0S were re
covered in favor of the government during the
year, only the sum of s132 934 was collected
thereon and that though fines, penalties and for
textures were imposed amounting TO S541. s S43,
only sos, 64S42 of that sum was paid on account
thereof. There facts may furnish an illustration
OF the sentiment which extensively prevails that
debt due the government should cause no incyf-
venience to the citiZaEs.
It also appears from this report that though
prior to March, 1885, there had been but SIX con-
victlonS IN the territories of Utah and Idaho
under the laws Of 1862 and 1882, Furnishing polyg.
amy and unlawful cohabjtation, as a crime
there has been since that date nearly 600 ConVic-
lions under these laws and statutes of 1887, and
the opinion is expressed that under such firm
and vl2ilant execution of these laws and the ad-
vance OF ideas opposed to the forbidden practice
Of pOlygany within the United States is virtually
at an end. The suits instituted by the govern
nent under the provisions of the act of March 8,
1887, Tor the termination OF the corporations
&hoWn as the perpetual emigrating fund com
pany and the church of Jesus Christ of the later
day saints have resulted in degree favorable to
the government declaring the charter of these
corporations forfeited and escheating their
property, such property amounting in value to
more than SSO0,000 and is in the hands of a re
celver pending further proceedings, appeal
having been taken to the supreme court of the
United States.
Another class Of FoStai employees whose con
diJiOn seems to demand legislation is that Of the
clerks n postcffiCeS, and call especial attention
to the repeated 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.
quent. Provision is made for their promotion,
for substitutes for them vacations, for SubSti-
tues tues for holidays and limiting Their hours of
appropriated for the current year to
provide for them, though the total
number of offices where they ara employed
is but 35S for the past fiscal year, with an esti
while the total appropriation for all clerks in tho
offices throughout the United States is S., $50 co.,
he legislation affecting the relation of the gov
eminent with the railroads is in need of revision.
While for the most part the railroad companies
throughout the country have cordially cooper
ated with the postoffice department in rendering
excellent service, yet under the law, it now
stands, while the compensation to them for car
rying the mail is limited and regulated, and al
though the railroads are made post roads by law,
there is no authority reposed anywhere to COM
pei the owner of o railroad to take and carry the
United States mail. The only alternative provid-
ed by act OF congress in case of refusal, is for
the postmaster general to send the mail forward
by pony express This is but an illustration of
the illftting legislation, reasonable and proper
at the time OF its enactment, but long since out
grown, and requiring REIMBURSEMENT.
1t 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 expenditures
has been lSSSened, and efficiency has been i'm
proved 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 postmasters and to the
department are far less than ever before.