The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-12-14

1893. would be but little over a mill
ion and a half dollars. 1t amounted,
however. to more than five millions.
At the same time. and under the infiu-
ence of like anticipations, estimates
were made for the current fiscal year,
ending June Both, 1894, which eXhib-
tied a surplus Of revenue over expendi-
lures Of 1912, 245.71, but now in view
Of the actual receipts and expenditures
during that part Of the current fiscal
year already expired, the present Post
master-General estimates that at its
close instead of suplus there will be
a deficiency of nearly eight million
dollars.
The postoftice receipts for the last
fiscal year amounted to SIS, 1876, 1913. 16
and its expenditures to $Sl ,074. l04. 90.
This postoffice deficiency would disap-
pear or be immensely decreased if less
matter was carried free through the
mails, an item Of three hundred tons Of
seeds and grain from the Agricultural
Department.
The total number Of postotlices in the
United States on the 30th day of June,
1898. was GS, 403, an increase Of ,2S4
over the preceding year. Of these,
$500 were presidential, an increase in
that class of 204 over the preceding
| year.
Forty-two free delivery offices were
added during the year to those already
existing. making a total Of six hundred
and ten cities and towns provided with
Il oil
| Ninety-three other cities and towns
are now entitled to this service under
the law, but it has not been accorded
| them on account Of insufficient funds
to meet the expenses of its establish
ment.
| am decidedly Of the opinion that
the provisions CT the present law per-
nit as general an introduction Of this
feature Of mail service as is necessary
or iustifable, and that it ought not to
be extended to smaller communities
than are now designated.
The expense of free delivery for the
fiscal year ending June Goth, 1891. will
be more than $1l 100000. and under
legislation now existing there must be
a constant increase in this item of ex-
penditure.
There were G,401 additions to the
money-order offices during the last
fiscal year, being the largest increase
in any year since the inauguration of
the system. The total number of these
offices at the close Of the year was 49,
1914. There were 13.309,735 money
orders issued from these offices, being
an increase over the preceding year Of
1,24O, 293, and the value of these orders
amounted to 1927, SIC, 1875 an in
crease of $500. 632.58. There were
also issued during the year postal notes
amounting to So, 1903, O76.13.
During the year 195 international
money order offices were added to those
already provided, making a total of
2.i07 in operation on June 80, 1898.
The number Of international money
orders issued during the year was L.
O55, 999, an increase over the preceding
year Of 1885, and their value was
SIC, 341 ,937.S6, an increase of 1.221.-
| 506.31. The number of orders paid
was 800, Oh, an increase over the pre-
ceding year of l3, SOB, and their value
was s5,2S3,375.7O, an increase Of
s94,094.o3.
From the foregoing statements it
appears that the total issue Of money
orders and postal notes for the year
amounted to sl56,7 .34S.24.
The number of letters and packages
mailed during the year for special de-
livery was 1876 ,693, an increase over
the preceding year Of nearly % per
cent. The special delivery stamps
used upon these letters and packages
amounted to 1897. 5000, and the
messengers fees paid for their delivery
amounted to $3.50, 592.7l, leaving a
profit to the government of $50. 865.5 80.
The railway mail service not only
adds to the promptness Of mail deliy-
cry of all offices, but it is the especial
fundamentally which puts the smaller
and way places in the service on an
equality in that regard with the larger
and terminal offices. This branch of
the postal service has therefore re-
ceived much attention from the Post
master-General, and though it is graf
flying to know that it is in a condition
Of high efficiency and great usefulness,
| am led to agree with the Postmaster
General that there is room for it's
further Improvement.
There are now connected to the
Postot1ice establishment 2S,324 en-
ployes who are i'll the classified service.
The head of this great department
gives conclusive evidence of the value
of civil service reform when, after an
experience that renders his judgment
on the subject absolutely reliable, he
expresses the opinion that without the
benefit Of this system it would be i'm
possible to conduct the vast business
intrusted to him.
| desire to commend as especially
worthy of prompt attention the sugges-
tons of the Postmaster General re-
lating to a more sensible and business
like organization and better distribu-
ton Of responsibility in his department.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy contains history Of the opera
tons Of his department during the
past year, and exhibits most gratify-
ing condition of the personnel of our
navy. He presents a satisfactory &C
count Of the progress which has been
made in the construction of vessels,
and makes q number Of recommended
tons to which attention is especially
invited.
During the past six months the de-
mands for cruising vessels have been
many and urgent. There have been
revolutions calling for vessels to pro-
tect American interests in Nicaragua.
Guatemala. Costa Rlca, Honduras,
Argentina and Brazil, while the con-
dition of affairs in Honolulu has re-
Quired the constant presence of one or
more ships. With all these calls upon
our navy, it became necessary, in order
to make up sufficient fleet to patrol
the Behring sea under the modus
rirendi agreed upon with Great Bri-
tain. to detail to that service one YES