Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-12-04

WASHINGTON, Nov. S0.-Postmaster-
General Wanamaker has submitted his
first report to President Harrison.
Among other expressions are these:
1.-THE post,onace is the Visible form Of the
Federal Government to every community and to
every Citizen The people want the system adj
ministered with such efnciency and economy
that IT shall offer them more and more accom-.
modattons and tax them less and less. The
only method + can suggest by which all their
desires may be gratided Is not merely to talk
about the application OF principles to the de-
partment; it is really to apply them. II Is not
to work in poor quarters; It is not to transport
mails afoot when they should go in railroad
trains: 1t Is not to tolerate disloyal or listless
employees il better ones can be had; it is not,
finally to keep unWittingly abreast Of the
times It Is always to lead the times
what Is needed first is Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General. to be in direct charge Of
the great divisions OF the railway mail. the
foreign mail the n1oney-oraer Office.
the registry and supplies division, and
lift out Of the ONCE OF the First As.
sistant Postmaster General all duties ex-
cept those Of studying men for appoint
ment establishing offices, changing sites, ex-
aiming reports of inspectors, and taking care
OF the bond division Create new place and
find the best-educated postal man In the
service ct the Post-ofice Department or
in any OF the $4,000 post-ofaces, and
make him the general manager. No great
business establishment can succeed that
changes its principal officer once In fifteen
months There ought to be one perfectly edu-
Gated postal man charged with the general
management whose controlling mind and firm
grasp should remain while others come and CO.
1.-The post-of1ces throughout the country and
the department, without meaning it, are in an
unfriendly attitude because the postmasters are
gener; lly wanting something which the depart.
ment does not seem ready or able to grant,
There is but little to encourage, hardly cny
thing to stimulate, postmaster to do his best
work. new life and spirit must be infused
By dividing the country into postal districts
and placing supervisor over each believe it
can be DONE"
z The report next reviews the contro-
yersy with the Western Union Company
relative to rate on Government business,
and the Postmaster-General expresses
disappointment that the discussion did
not lead to postal-telegraph scheme.
The statistics of the English Govern
ment system, he says, show that SO per
cent of the messages are family and
social, and not from business sources.
The report continues:
The great propriety and advantage Of a
united service can not be questioned from a
point OF convenience and economy to the
people. There Is reason whatever
why the night messages of the tele-
graph companies should not be delivered
as postal matter by the first morning
delivery OF the carriers. This is proper post
Office business and would add to the profits OF
the department. A contract should be made
vi a PaTNh limo NON in,
that may be hereafter built, under advertise
ment and public bid at the most favorable
rate that can be obtained, in the same man.
ner as the Post-0Hce Department now
contracts with railroad companies for the car.
ryiug Of letters and postal cards, connecting
the wires with free delivery and other desig-
mated postofhces, and receiving messages to be
delivered in each instance at the next carrier
delivery after their receipt IN the city to which
they are sent
II respectfully ask that such legislation be
enacted as is necessary to empower the Post
master-Generai to enter into contract with re-
sponsible parties for term not exceeding five
years on conditions favorable to the Govern.
ment, for the purpose OF establishing a limited
post and telegraph service ~
Touching civil service the report saws:
''Tne postal department has an individuality
OF its OWL The ordinary good clerk of the
Government might suit perfectly we'll in any
other Of the civil places, but for post-oface
work he must almost learn a trade There
ought to BIO kind OF apprenticeship with pro
motions throughout the ranks from the lowest
to highest place.
The report recommends that 1arger
discretion be given for making con-
tracts for carrying foreign mails with
American registered vessels; and says
the minimizing of Sunday work Will be
a subject Of careful attention. II
is recommended that all places
with population OF not less
than 5000, or where the post
office has shown gross revenue Of ST.
600 for the previous fiscal year, shall
have the benefit Of the free-dsEvery
system. The early consideration OF the:
question of establishing postal savings.
banks at 1o, 600 Of the fourth class offices,
where such facilities are needed, is sug.
gested f. IF. ee=,s@sts-s,z4 -
The Postmaster-G ssyst anst.one-
cent postage is an easy possilaili ty of the
near future and will come a a matter.
Of course, but is not practicable while
the present deficiency exists The same
objection applies to the idea of estab-
fishing a parcels post for delivering
packages, etc, at the post off1cessof smalI
places not reached BY the express com
panies.
IN A CYCLONES PATH ~
VI = - 3