Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-11-30

By offices becoming presidential, 1l9
By removals for various reasons. 1856
Total. $50
OF these IS we're removed upon inspectors
and other official reports; 23 others had
served over four years, % others had an
| average service Of nearly four years, and the
remaining SO were removed to secure .
better service.
The departmental six hundred and four
employees are all under the civil service rules
except the heads OF divisions, and the watch
men, laborers, and charwomen. The branch
of the service to which civil service rules
were last applied was the railway mail SER
vice. lnasmuch ~ particular interest has
been drlkn TO the reorganization OF this de-
paftment, feel called upon to refer to the
facts in detail. The force consisted on
March 4, 1885, OF 1856 men. who had en-
tered the service under a system Of examina
tions and probations established in 1877 by
Postmaster General Key, by which the ser
vice attained a high degree of efficiency. A
somewhat similar system as to examinations
has been followed voluntarily for number
of wears previously.
The total number Of railway postal clerks
in the service on the 4th of March, 1889,
was 1884. The re-instatements and ap-
pointments Of new men from March 4 TO
July 80, 1889, we're 1882, leaving undisturbed
34O2 If those previously appointed; or
nearly two-thirds of the whole number that
were in place when this administration came
in power still in place. This 10 so differe mt
| from the current statement that make rec
ord of the facts as matter of information
and reference
A widespread demand exists for prompt,
| regular, efficient and speedy mail service to
| foreign countries. especially to our Central
American, Mexican and South American
neighbors and to the trans-Pacifc countries.
Ii seems to be universally conceded that the
policy which other nations have adopted in
the treatment OF steam ships engaged in for
eisn mail service, Of paying them literally
for such service has caused lines to be main
tanned which otherwise could not have ex-
| isted.
The Western Union Telegraph Co., had
required the government to pay for . num-
Der of years past large sum Of m5ney for
what it does for other customers for nothing,
to Wit. payment for the name Of the place
from which the messages are sent, the per-
sons name, the official title, the place for
warded to and the signature, which on short
messages have practically doubled the body
word rates. The expense of telegraphine,
according to the reports Of the Western I'M
lon Telegraph Co., for . number of years
had been reduced about Is per cent, while
no reduction had been made to the govern
ment. 1t therefore seemed to me, all things
considered, that the telegraph companies
would be quite ready, for time at least, to
| ly nominal rate.
.x. 80 At ri. a raj
under the existing laws to successfully carry
out the evident intent Of the statutes BY ex
cluding letters and circulars relating 70 lot
teriss, gift enterprises, and other similar
swindline schemes from the mails 10 apparent.
| Congress and the county are familiar y ith
the several attempts of my predecessors to
suppress these evils.
The general tenor of the suggestions as to
the means and the mode Of reducing Sunday
| work In the post Offices seems to be that 90
| long 10 there 10 m lintained railroad service
on that day for the carriage of mails there
must be either corresponding local service
for the handling and treatment Of the matter
90 carried or quite . general delay Of such
matter, resulting in considerable accumuls-
tons for the f1rst business day Of the week,
| and in the consequent arrangement Of the
business, both of the post Offices and their
patrons.
II the letters and arguments presented at
the department and articles in the newspaper
are On evidence Of interest in this subject
there 10 . stea lilly growing sentiment in favor
of the government Offering through the post
depository for savings. Foreign countries
have for many years past extended these
coLveniences for the people and good results
are reported without exception.
| One cent postage 10 an easy possibility in
the near future. IL must come as mattes
of course. Ii introduced tomorrow the cut
ting in half Of postage would reduce the
revenue on letter postage By probably SIS.
| O0O, 600. We are rot ready for this while
the present deficiency exists.
A view widely held and stoutiy urged il
that the COVE rnment, having undertaken 70
carry merchandise in the mails, 10 bound tt
| do the work well. and ~ cheaply - it, CON.
| petiiors. and to such an extent - will give
the greatest good 70 the greatest number.
have considered the subject very carefully
and submit that we are not now prepared te
consolidate the third or foufth-clsss matter
or undertake the service Of fail parcels b,
poss, for The following reAsons:
1. That aImoss al the poseo6lce building
are crowded, and space could not Be fount
1 in them to accommodate an enlarged packAgl
busine ..
1 2. The railway post o6lee cars are ai
/ insufficient for the present mail business
de departmens being obliged to forward d
/ uoae tvo-shirds 1t d. peseai cards and euvel
opes By freight in order - Afford requisit
relief for nail nsstsr.
3. RsaAiusensns, transpoetntioo and sta
ruuts coatzacss seuld Arss b nsssssasy =
4 pesyids peopsr fsnsnsfasisa fos carrying