The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-03

the department has the disbursement OF a
iund FOR all, and dissatisfaction Is caused
by increased pay 10 some for service no
better or more needed, II go much, as tnat
on lines OF others who receive no such spe-
cial tavors, Notwithstanding the absence
OF any sach funds, he proceeds TO show, IN
addition 10 many special additions or I'M
proved service upon shorter lines, thai many
through fast mails have been added by ne
gotiatlon and contract.
SERVICE OF OTHER NATIONS.
Contrasts with the postal service of other
nations statistics are submitted, contrast
ing our service with that OF Great Britain,
Germany and France, demonstrating that
In cheapness of postage, gross revenue and
expenditures, number of postoifices extent
OF mail routes mileage Of the mail service,
and volume OF mail matter transmitted, the
postal system of the United States is the
leading one OF the world The total cost OF
the foreign mail service was $i90,06T
Of which S464 ol0 was for
transporting mails Of United States origin.
OF this amount there was paid for the
transatlantic service 1858, 262; for the
transpacihc service sac, ,593, aud for miscel-
laneous service S5S, ,553.
DISBURSEMENT OF SUBSIDIES.
In connection with the foreign mail serv-
ice, and especially in relation to our means
America and Mexico, the Postmaster Gen
eral vigorously reasserts his views against
the postal administration becoming a dis
burser of subsidies, He demonstrates, how,
in his opinion, such a function would
hamper the mail service, and urges that il
the policy of subsidzing American lines for
the promotion Of commerce be adopted,
the appropriations lie voted dire city to the
owners.
The report renews the recommendation
that the Postmaster General be empowered
to purchase sites and erect permanent build
ings for postotlices.
POSTAL TELEGRAPHY.
With regard to postal telegraphy the re-
port says: "If the correspondence of the
country is to continue to be under the charge
and protection of the government, the vast
and increasing volume conducted by teleg-
raphy and the right of the great body of
the people to be afforded facilities for the
best and quickest Transmission at rates
within the means of all will press this
subject upon the attention of con-
gress with more and more urgency. The
chief difficulties in the way are the cost of
the present methods and the absence of
safe guards. which, according TO the theory
of the present mail service, should protect
the privacy of correspondence. l have
gwen the subject much consideration, and
/ believe that the inventive genius Of this
country has reached the stage in discovery
in electric science when these problems may
be solved. The subject is Of such great inn
portance to the people that believe an OPP
portunity should be given for the presenta-
tion and examination of inventions, which
have been informally presented to the com
mittees OF congress, the depart tment and
the public, and that stimulus should be given
to inventors TO turn their attention to the
improvement OF Old methods. | recommend
the appointment Of commission Of com
petent and disinterested men, learned in
science, who may examine inventions and
invite others, who shall be authorized TO
erect short experimental lines, and who
shall report to tue President or TO congress
the result Of their Investigations"
PAY OF FOURTH CLASS PosTMAsTERS.
The Postmaster General recommends re-
vision Of the law regulating the compensa-
tion OF fourth class postmasters SO as to
give an increase of compensation.
Attention is called 10 abuses of the frank
ing privilege, and revisons of the law, with
penalties for its violation, recommended.
Following is his closing paragraph on the
subject; "If the franking privilege were
abolished, and regular yearly allowance
for the purchase of postage stamps made
instead, every senator aud member OF the
House Of Representatives would be placed
upon exact equality. No ono could make
use Of the mails beyond his own allowance,
and no unaut horized person eould make use
Of tho mails to forward unofficial mat
ter. Agricultural colleges now enjoying the
franking privilege might be furnished
through the department of agriculture
with free penalty envelopes