The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-12-05


less than expenditures and outstanding OBJ
legations and So U1..3l, ten per cent. less
than the actuai cost of the service. Compared
with the previous fiscal year, there was u. i'll
crease or 81 492 8, or liz per cent in the gross
revenue; an increrse of S2,Ol3, $50 40, or 39 per
cent, i'll the expenditures and liabilities and an
increase also OF S2Uy9 6lo2S, OF per cent in the
total cost OF the service.
For tile fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, the re-
ceiptS Sj,YO, 20 OF 69 per cent. less than
the expenditures, and ~, or $50 per cent
less tnan the total cost OF the postal service.
Compared with the previous fiscal year, there
was an increase OF 49, S4, UO.60. or 7S per cent III
the gross revenue; an increase of So, 4S9 O5SSS,
65 per cent, in the expenditures and liabilities
ana an increase, ALSO of s., o326 0S or So per
cent, i'll the estimated total cost OF the service
For the dscal year ending June 30, 1889, the
gross receipts $52oS, So. S.5 per cent
less than the actual disbursement on account of
tine year; $3.50, 343, l01 per cent. less than
the disbursements and liabilities of the year, and
81 03 6.16 or 11,y per cent. less than the eSti
mated total cost of the service, which, as before
stated, includes the amount certified to the Sec
Rotary OF the Treasury as the earnings for mail
transportation on the Pacific railroads
Compared with the previous fiscal year, there
was an increase of 3d. os b. or 65 per cent, in
tle gross revenue OF the Serv c.; an increase of
S. S92 1880 or 10.4 per CENT in tae disbursements
and outsttn ling liabilities and an increase also
OF IS 1904 OBJ TO- l02 per cent, in the estimated
total cost of the service.
fne estimates submitted to Congress in the re-
port OF the Postmaster General for 1851, for the
service OF the year ended June 30, 1889, placed
the expenditures for the latter year at $5S,967,
1894, the gross revenue at $51563 1872, and the
general treasury at 81 ,4U3 499- A.
As will appear from the foregoing exhibits, fc r
the ye n the actual lie M and estimated
nal estmate the revenue was 81 ,415, 1194O less
tina n the estimate; and the present estimated
deficiency of revenue to be supplied out OF the
gener treasury is S434G,6S4.01 more than that
shown in the estimate made in 1887.
ADoUBLE POSTAL CARD.
To conclude, beg to mention some smaller
but hardly less important topics for your con
81 ierd tiOQ. A double postal card for return
Swers is entirely feasible, if authority could he
given for its issue. Another question s the es
t tbliShm INT OF postal museum. There is now
sc ttere1 throughout The country lnucn historic
material in the shape OF ancient mail equipments
kinds, in use during the century. If this coull
be collected and arranged. it would form an in
system. Scores of postoff1ces have in their pos
session valuable relies which could be had for
deposit in a departmental museum. The cost
would be trifing, while the interest would be
very great A beginning could be made with an
appropriation of $1,000.
The shabby and inadequate fixtures in many
of the postoffces are not fit to represent the T.
S. government, and do not conduce to efficient
service neither is the mail safe in hundreds of
Offices, and for this reason labor is thrown upon
the department to trace missing matter that
would never have been lost if ordinary protec-
ton had been given. 1t is respectfully suggest
ell that the Postmaster General be authorized to
establish standard of fixtures for each class of
Offices, and that he be held strictly to accountin
the maintenance of Office furniture in its proper
condition. trust that the day is not far distant
when the government will provide fixtures for
offices of all classes even though the salary of
the postmaster be affected thereby. / believe
the postmaster would be better off than now,
compelled as he is to rent the fixtures from the
or bnv them from the retrin
postmaster. The latter course has been the cause
of transactions not creditable to the parties con-
cerned or the system that permits the tempta
tion to exist.
By inadvertance many letters find their way
to the postoffice without postage stamps. The
writer is notified, and the notice must be return
ed with stamp, which requires another stamp
for forwarding. The delay is often attended
with grave consequences, and the time of the
department clerks is further taxed by this sys
tenn. The reason given for the plan now in OPP
GRAFTON is that there was no check upon the
postmaster to make certain that the posta ge was
collected The introduction of the postage due
stamp fully covers the case, and there is no rea
son why so much trouble should be taken, and
such tedious delays continue. Authority is
therefore asked for the Postofrce Department.
to forward promptly all letters not prepaid and
to collect double postage: