St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-24
KILLED BY ONE WORD.
That Is Postmaster Lees Opinion
ofthe Bill for the Relief of Let
ter Carriers,

That Is Postmaster Lees Opinion
ofthe Bill for the Relief of Let
ter Carriers.
The boys that carry the mails and
bring us messages of joy or sorrow, as
the case may be, always poorly paid
and hard-worked class, have been play
ing into decidedly hard luck. In Janu-
Hry, convention Of representative car
riers was held in Washington for the
purpose of doing something looking to
an advance in their salaries. The con-
yention agreed on 1900 as being sal
airy commensurate with their arduouS
laborS. A memorial to that effect was
drawn up and presented to the proper
house committee, which proceeded to
sit down on the same most unceremOni-
Dusty.
A new bill was then formulated and
presented to the house of representa-
tIves by Mr.. McAdso, Jan. 4, 1883. This
bill provided that hereafter eight con-
secutive hours shall constitute a
days work for letter carriers
in cities or postal districts connecting
Herewith. for which they shall receive
the same pay as is now paid for days
work OF greater number Of hours, Ii
any letter carrier is employed greater
number of hours per day than eight. he
shall be paid extra for the same i'll pro-
portion to the salary now fixed by law.
This bill passed the house on the 21St,
and Will, no doubt, pass the senate.
Postmaster Lee, spoken to regarding
The bill, said he didn't think much of
it. He thought the boys should
have more wages. but to carry
tho l1roViSi0pc of tho
present bill would require the services
Of three or four expert bookkeepers. He
was of the opinion that the word ICON
secutive" III the bill would render its
observance practically impossible, and
render it q dead letter. II hardly think
he carriers" said he, ''care to work
eight consecutive hours without rest or
time for meals, but yet this bill would
seem to imply such necessity" He
believed that the word consecutive"
was inserted in the bill to render it
practically imperative. Inquiry among
the carriers revealed the fact that a
majority of them average from nine to
ten hours work day. They thought
eight hours day of work of such la
DOriouS nature rs theirs should conSti-
tute days work, and believed they
should receive ample remuneration for
ri time put i'll beyond that. They feel
chagrined, now that bill for their re-
lief is on the point of being passed, that
simple word should render it inopera-
tive.
If any one thinks that O. berth in the
postofice department is a ''snap," let
him interview a carrier and he will
have such thoughts forever diSpelled.
jackson School.
Yesterday afternoon the pupils of the
jackson school celebrated the close OF
the winter term by giving an exhibition,
under the supervision of the principal,
Mrs. Kate Deacon. The exercises were
enjoyed by about 100 of the parents and
friends of the pupils, and consisted of
recitations, singing and charming one
act drama There were eighteen num-
bers OH the programme, the last being
exhibition drill, with piano accompani-
ment. The entertainment, as whole,
reflected great credit on both pupils and
teachers, and was warmly praised by
all who witnessed it.