Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-12-07
POSTAL DEPARTMENT.

The report of the postmaster general shows
marked increase of business in every branch OF
the postal service. The number of poStCfficeS ON
July TO- 1855 was 1875. increase of +, 124 in
three years, and of 22l9 for the last fiscal year
The latter mentioned increase is classified fOi
lows: New England states, 81 Middle states, 1871;
Southern states and Indian Territory, 1,406: the
states and territories eff the Pacific coast, 100; the
ten states and territories OF the west and north
west 435; District of Columbia, .; total 22I9.
Free delivery offices have increased from IS9 in
the fiscal year ended June so, 1887, to 35S in the
year ended June 80, 1888. In the railway mail
service, there has been an increase in year OF
us routes, and in the number Of miles Travelled
per annum an increase of i50,1959lT.4S. The es-
tImated iuCre of railroad service for the year
six thousand miles but the amount of new
railroad service actually put on was Il, 764 So
The volume of business iii the money order div
i,iOn, including transactions in postal notes
reached the sum Of upwards Of Sl43,000 900 for
the year. During tne past year parcel post con
veutionS have been concluded with BarbadoeS
the BANANA British Honduras and Mexico, and
are now under negotiation with all the Central
and South American states. The increase for
CORE spondenCe with foreign countries during
the past three years is gratifying and is especial
iy notable and exceptional with the Central and
South American states, and with Mexico, the
Greater part OF the mail matter exchanged with
these countries is commercial IN Its character;
this increase is evidence of tho improved bust
ness relations with them. The practical opera
ton of the parcel post Convention, SO far as ne
gOtiated, has served 10 fulfill the most
favorable predictions rs TO their ben
fits In January last, a general post
OF Canada, which went into operation on March
LIST, and which practically makes one postal ter
ritory OF the United states and Canada. Und-r
It merchandise parcels may now be transmitted
through the mails at fourth class rates Of pos
tage. 1t is not possible here TO touch even the
leading heads of the great postal establishment
illustrate the enormous and rapid growth OF
its business, and the needs for legislative read
1ustment Of much Of its machinery that it has
mendations Of the postmaster general, attention
is earnestly invited to his report. A department
in 1870 to $50 zoo 600 in 1855: despite reiuc-
tions of postage which have enormously reduced
the rates of revenue, while greatly increasing
Its business, demands the careful consideration
of the congress. as TO al matters suggested by
those familiar with its operations, and which
are calculated to increase It's efficiency and use
fulness.
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 q community to
for postofslce purposes. 1t was demonstrated
tina. aside from the public convenience and The
p pro Of harmony anons CITIZENS mar a
1t was 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 what the
cost OF such public buildings would be. A very
great advantage resulting from such law woull
stautly introduced for the erection OF public
lultings at places. and involving ex-
I,P , nes 1 9saf , 3 nHsG M
become a law at the present session
Of congress. OF the total number Of the post
masters 81 s74 are Of the fourth class. These, of
course, receive no allowances whatever for ex-
renses IN the service and their compensation Is
fixed by percentages on the receipts of their re-
spectiSe offers This rate Of compensation may
have been, and probably was st some time. just.
But the standard has remained unchanged
through the several reductions in the rates Of
postage Such reductions have necessarily cut
down the compensation Of these officials, while
II undoubtedly increased the business performed
by them Simple Justice requires attention
this subject to the end that fourth class post
masters may receive at least equivalent 10
that which the law itself fixing the rate intended
for them.