The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-04
upon sentimental or any other grounds
THE NAVY.

upon sentimental or any other grounds
THE NAVY.
The report of the navy demonstrates
very intelligent management in that
important department, and disclose>
the most satisfactory progress IN the
work of reconstructing the navy. Dur
ing the past year, OF ships in course of
construction, five. viz, the Charleston.
Baltimore, Yorktown, Nesuvius and
the Petrol. have in that time been
launched and are rapidly approaching
completion, and in addition to the
above the Philadelphia. the San Fran
cisco, the Newark, the Bennington, the
Concord and the Berreshef torpedo
boats are all under contract for deliv
cry to the department during the next
year. The progress already and being
made gives good ground for the expec-
tation that these vessels win be incor-
porated as a part OF the American ma
w in the next 10 months.
The report shows that, notwith-
standing large expenditures for new
construction and the additional labor
they involve. the total ordinary orcuv-
rent expenditures of the department
for the three years ending June 80,
1883, are less by more than so per cent
than such expenditures for the three
years ending June 50, 1884. Various
steps which have been taken 20 i'm
prove the business methods of the de-
partment are reviewed by the Secre-
tary. The purchasing OF supplies has
been consolidated and placed under a
responsible bureau head. This has re-
suited in the curtailment OF open pur-
chases, which in the years
1854 and 1885 amounted TO
over 50 per cent. of all the
purchases of the department. They
are now less than ii per cent, so that
at the present time about 90 per cent.
Of the total department purchases are
made by contract and after competi-
ton. As the expenditures on this
account exceed an average of 81 ,oo0, 600
annually, il is evident an important
improvement in the system has been
inaugurated and substantial econo-
mics introduced.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The report of the postmaster-general
shows a marked increase in business
in every branch OF the postal service.
The number of postoffices ON July l.,
1888, was 81 ,376, an increase of 6l2i in
three years, and of 22l9 for the last
fiscal year. The aforementioned in
crease is classified as follows: New
England states ), middle states Isl,
southern states and Indian territory
14O6, the states and territories of the
Pacific coast 40, ten states and terri
tories of the West and Northwest 435,
district of Columbia I; total, 22l9.
Free delivery offices have increased
1s9 in the fiscal year ended June 80.
1887, and 35s in the year ended June
80, 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 |, 500, l15, oil, All. The estimated in
crease of railroad service for the year
is COO miles, but the amount of new
railroad service actually put on was
,275, $50 miles.
The volume of business in the
money-order division, including trans
actions in postal notes. reached sum
upwards of Sl43, 000, 600 for the year.
During the year parcel post conven-
tons have been concluded with the
Barbados, the Bahamas, British Hon.
duras and Mexico, and are now under
negotiation with all the Central and
South American states.
The increase of our correspondence
with foreign countries during the past
three wears is gratifying, and is es-
pecially notable and exceptional with
the Central and South American
states. As the greater part of the mail
matter exchanged with these countries
is commercial in its character, this IN
crease is an evidence of the improved
business relations with them.
The practical operation of the parcel
post conventions, so far as negotiated,
has served to fulfill the most favorable
predictions as TO their benefits. In
January last general post convention
was negotiated with the dominion of
Canada, which went into operation on
March 1, and which practically makes
one postal territory of the United
States and Canada. Under it merchau-
disc parcels NAV now be Transmitted
through the mails at the fourth-claSs
rate of postage. tits not possible here
to touch even the leading heads of
the great postal establishment to illus
trate the forms and rapid growth of
its business and the needs of legisla-
tive adjustment of much of its ma
chinery that it has outgrown. | en-
dorse the thorough aud valuable rec
concentrations of the postmaster-gen-
eral. Attention is earnestly invited to
his report.
A department whose revenues have
increased from Sl9772 600 in 1870 TO
So, ZOO 900 in 1883, despite reductions
of postage which have forced reduced
rates of revenue while greatly in
creasing in business demands the care
full consideration of the congress as to
all matters suggested by those familiar
with its operations and which are
calculated to increase its efficiency
and usefulness. .
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS FOR POST
OFFICES.
A bill proposed by the postmaster
general was introduced at the last ses-
sion of congress, by which a uniform
standard in the amount of gross re-
ceipts would fix the right of commu-
,ity 10 public building to be erect,
by the government for postofflce pur-
poses. 1t was demonstrated that,
aside from the public convenience and
the promotion OF harmony among cit
liens invariably disturbed by
change of leasings and site, II
was "a HutdSuIt VI the DlkutSt
economy and OF sound business iudg-
ment. 1t was found that the govern
ment was paving rents at a rate OF
from to 10 per cent. per annum on
what the cost of such public buildings
would be. A very great advantage re-
sulting from such law would be the
prevention of a large number OF bills
constantly introduced for the erection
of public buildings at places and
involving expenditures not justified
by public necessity. trust that this
measure will become law ut the pres
ent session of congress.
of the total number of postmasters,
81, s74 are of the fourth class. These.
of course, receive no allowance what
ever for expenses in the service, and
their compensation is fixed by per
centage on the receipts at their respec-
tive Offices. This rate of compensa-
ton may have boon and probably
was at some time just; but the
standard has remained unchanged
through the several reductions
in the rates of postage. Such reduc-
tons have necessarily cut down the
compensation OF these officials. while
it has undoubtedly increased the bust
ness performed by them. Simple JUS
uce requires attention 10 the subject.
to the end that fourth class postinas-
tiers may receive at least an equivalent
IN that xUhfeh The L.. =. al