Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-29
P. 0. DEPARTMENT. 7.
STRICTLY BUSINESS" ITS PRESENT
WATchWoRD, SAYS Mr.. BISSELL.
ALarge Dehciency-The Reason why " the
, kascais" Are Not Being
"Turned OUT

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. November 2s.-
The annual report OF Postmaster-General
Bisseil, made public to-day, shows, in the
briefest space consistent with a proper
understanding OF the subjects treated, the
operations OF the department during the
last fiscal year. The report indicates that
the department has been conducted on
strictly business principles and that in
thls respect. as In others. General Bis
selfs administration has been very sue
cessful. The most has been made OF the
funds available. and 1t Is also demon
strated that during the first year OF
the administration, Notwithstanding the
changes that have been made, the eff
cheney OF the service In every department
has actually been increased. Hitherto the
first year Of "A new administration has
shown a material lowering Of the standard
of efficiency from that OF the previous
year.
The financial statement shows that the
deficiency for the year ended June 90.
1893. was $5.177.l1. instead OF 1852, f23,
as estimated by Mr.. Wanamaker. and
that instead Of surplus Of S872,2ij for
the current fiscal year, as estimated.
there will be an estimated deficiency OF
TSS0.47S The Postmaster General esti-
mates the gross revenue for the fiscal
year ending June 90. 1885, at Si.427,7 74S. and
the gross estimated expenditures at
sD,395, iS5, leaving an estimated deficiency
OF S,9n,736. which, however Will be de-
creased Sl,250.0O0 by funds taken from the
unpaid money-order account.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Postmaster-G General adopts the re-
concentrations previously made public
adverse to the extension Of the expert
mental free-delivery system. The esu-
mated free-delivery deficiency amounts TO
SGS.0o0 He suggests that postal notes be
abolished. and that the rates charged for
all domestic money orders should be re-
duced. and the form of orders simplified.
Regarding the ocean mail subsidy, the
Postmaster General says that he is un-
able to ascertain that any positive adj
Vantages have accrued. from either mail
or a commercial point of view. by reason
OF the contracts thus far put in opera
ton under the act of March 3. 1891, and
that therefore no new contracts have
been entered into. The increased cost OF
the conveyance of ocean mails. under this
act, for the years 1893, a. S. and SO Uhe
last two years estimated) viii be A,2JO, 4g.
He states that the gains In the expedition
OF the mails have not been material, and
the advantages derived from the govern
ments control OF the ships are incom-
mensurate with the cost Of the service.
CURTAILED RECEIPTS.
Mr.. NisselI states that the financial de-
pressioh greatly diminished the volume
Of postal receipts He does not think.
however, that the large denciency shoulu
have a deterrent effect upon the general
development Of the service, nor induce
an increase Of postal rates
He recommends the enactment OF law
which will permit postmasters' with the
consent of the Postmaster-General,t 10 sus-
pend employees for ten Gays without
pay for violation of the rules and of an
act which will permit the Postmaster
General to grant leave of not more thah
three months VIII full pay to any carrier
or clerk disabled by casualty while In the
performance of duty.
The Postmaster-General devOtes con-
siderable space to a discussion of CIVIL
service reform There are 2S32i en-
ployees in, the classified civil service in
the Post office Department Of the govern
ment. He makes special compent on the
wholesale removal of Democratic clerks
I'm the railroad mail service at the be-
ginning of the last administration.
THE MERIT SYSTEM"
Among other things he says: Il have
long been a firm believer in the appl-
cation OF the merit system In the selec-
ton Of employees for subordinate positions
i'm the public service. Eight months or
practical experience at the head of the
Post-ofiice Department tends strongly To
confirm my belief in the benefcence OF
the civll-service law. Indeed, SO great
have become the proportions Of this de-
partment and the magnitude of its ope-
rations that in my judgment 1t would be
matter of practical impossbiiity to
conduct its affairs with any nearer ap-
proach to its present degree OF efficiency
without the benefit and protection of
this law"
The important rule established by Mr.
Bissell that fourth-class postmasters shall
not be removed before the expiration OF
four years Of incumbency unless Tor
cause shown WILL he thinks, have
tendency to dignity the Office by placing
IT on par with presidential offices as
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