Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-12-04
Masses Of Statistics.
THE WORKINGS OF THE VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS.
DONE IN THE INTERIOR.
h Postmaster General. Secretary Of
War, director of the Mint, and Comp
troller of the Currency Tell Their
Annual Stories.

ness and q large increase in expendi-
lures. The gross revenue was s52. $50, !
176, while expenditures amounted to
$50, 1856, 403. =
The estimated deficiency is therefore
"a, 100, a27. The deficiency for the fiscal
year ended June 80. 1895. was 80, 973 ,944;
for 'S8 was 81, 166, b94, and for 'sl ahe
cash deficiency was "a, 297, 23s.
The revenue for the current fiscal year
is estimated at s68, sos, 85S, and the en-
penditure for the year is estimated at
$65,si2, 073, with a, probable deficiency
this year of about So, 900, 900.
During the past year Az sS postmas-
tiers were appointed-h,62l upon resigna-
tlon and commissions expired; I244
upon removals; $50 to- fill vacancies by
death, and 1864 on establishment OF new
postofflces.
crease of 1900 miles and a decrease of
72~l00 per cent in the rate of cost per
mile travelled.
The volume OF business in the money
order division was upward of $143, 000,-
900 and is self-sustaining with a net
profit to the government of $50, 900.
The volume Of ordinary mail matter
has largely increased, and 1t is estimated
that the revenue during the past year
would have been, without a reduction of
postage, upward of $40, 000, 900.
Carefully prepared statistics are sub
mitted in every branch Of the serv.
Ice, demonstrating, I'm the opinion of the
postmaster general, increased deficiency
over previous years. Carefully prepared
statistics are submitted contrasting our
service with that of Great Britain, Ger
many and France, demonstrating that
In cheapness of postage, gross revenue
and expenditures, number of postofices,
extent of mail routes, mileage of mai
service, and volume of mail matter trans
mitted, the postal system of the United
States is the leading systemof the world.
In connection with the foreign mail serv-
ice, and especially in relation to our means
OF communication with South Gem
trial America and Mexico, the postmaster
general vigorously reasserts his views
against making the postal administra-
tion the disburser of subsidies. In his
opinion, such a function would hamper
The mail service, and he urges that If
the policy Of substituting American lines
for the promotion of be
adopted, the appropriations be voted di-
rectly to the owners.
Among the recommendations of gen.
eraf interest submitted are: The owner
ship by the government OF postofice
buildings; allowances for rent for third
class postoffices; a revision OF the frank
ing privilege law; and that at the termi-
nation of existing contracts for. manu-
facture of postage stamps, nostal cards
and stamped envelopes, tsle g~overnIlent
take the work into its wi hands. The
postmaster general thinks that If the
ranking privilege were abolished and u
regular yearly allowance for the pur-
chase OF postage stamps made instead,
every senator and member of the house
OF representatives would be placed upon
AN exact equality. No one could make
use of the mails beyond hts own allow
ance, and no unauthorized person could
make use of the mails to forward unofi-
cial matter.
Discussing the relations OF the govern
Hnent with the railroads, the postmaster
general calls attention to the condition
OF the law as In urgent need of revision
which reposes no authority In any off,
cial OF the government to, completeness
of railroads to receive and carry tho
mails OF the United States. He says
that public opinion and sentiment are
the only forces to which the Departments
can nov appeal to secure improvea mail
facilities when amicable negotiations
failand that the only existing law pro-
! yidipg any alternative In the case of re-
fusal of any railroad not under contract
with the government to stake TIE mails,
Is for the department to send them for
ward1by pony express.
POSTAL .TELEaRAPHY.
On the subject OF postal telegraphy he
says: ..lf the correspondence OF the
country Is to continue to be under the
charge ana protection of the governments,
the vast and increasing volume con-
Quoted by telegraphy, and the right of
the great body of the people to be
afforded facilities for the best and quick
est transmission AT rates within the
means ofsall, Will press this subject upon
the attention of the congress with more
and more urgency. The chief difficulties
In the way are the great cost OF present
methods and the absence of safeguards
which, according to the theory OF the
present mail service, should protect the
privacy of correspondence. ! have given
the subject much consideration, and /
believe that the inventive genius of this
! country has reached a state in discovery
In electric science when this problem
may be solved. LIS &
The subject is OF such great Importance
TO the people that believe an opportu-
nifty should be given for the presentation
and examination of inventions which
have been Informally presented to COM
mittees of congress, the department and
the public, and that a stimulus should
be given to inventors to turn their atten-
ton to improvement of the methods.
I recommend the appointment Of a
commission of competent and disinter-
aafnd man 1parnad in thnf saeianpa xphc
may examine inventions, and invite 9th
ers, who shall be authorized to erect ex-
perimental lines and who shall report to
the presidentlor to congress the result OF
their Investigations 4
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT..
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The report Of
Hon. w. f. Villas, secretary of the int,