The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-05
ANNUAL MESSAGE.
tcontInned from rIrst page.l

anticipated ~ was estiui"''" ~
predecessor that the deficiency on me
mr. daV 81 June. fs,3 would be hut a
little over a million and a hair dollars
II amounted. however, 10 more than fiVe
millions. AT the same time and under the
infuencc OK like anticipauons estimates
that part OF the current hscSi year
ending June 80 1894 which exhibited
surnlus OF revenues over expenditures
OF xg722ls9i. but now in view OF the
actual receipts and expenditures during
that part OF the current tscaieyear
already expired. the present Postmaster"
General estimates that at It's close IN
stead u a surplus there will be a
aeoctency OF nearly eight million dol
lars.
me post Office receipts for the last
fiscal year amounted TO 81. SOC .9SSl is, and
its expenditures TO $Sl,HfiotS9. This
nost-ofice deficiency would disappear or
be Immensely decreased II less matter was
carried free through the mails, an item
of which IS upward of three hundred
tons Of seeds and grain from the Agri-
cultural department.
TIE Delivery system.
The total number OF post-ofiices IN me
United States on the 30th Of june 49, was
q 4ss. an increase Of 1.2A over the preced-
ing year: OF these $3.50 were presidential
an Increase I'm that class OF 2l4 over me
preceding year. FOrty-two free dehNety
offices were added during the year 10
those already existing. making total OF
sIx hundred and ten cities and towns
provided with free delivery on June SOth'
ise NiDety-three other cities and towns
orc NOW entitled 10 this service under
the law. but Il has not been accoruSu
them on account OF insufficient iuhus
"a meet the expense OF its establishment
! am decidedly OF the opinion that me
nrovisions OF the present law permit as
a.,ans-al INTRODUCTION OF this feature OF
mail service as is necessary or Jusunaoie
and that IL ought not 10 be extended 10
smaller communities than are now des-
,enated The expense of free delivery Tor
,ha dscal year ending June 3Oth. lSsi'
will be more than $fl7WO0D. Under reg
ssIotion now existing there must De
constant Increase in this item OF eNpeh-
diture There were G,4Ol addluOhs 10
the domestic money order ohlces ourins
the last fiscal year. being the ldIses'
increase in any year since the inausu'a
-, -, tho system. The total number
Of these Offices at the close OF the year
vas 1884. There were l8S09.ESS money
orIers issued from these Offices, being an
decrease over the preceding year OF Law
,o9 ond the value OF these orders amount
pd 10 sl27. Z76. 1855 an Increase OF $'0V''
s9o 20 There were also Issued through
The wear. postal notes amounting 10 Fl-'
s02 .07e.7s. ...,oo, ,,,o,ev
rider offices were added to those alfeauy !
provided. making a total OF zfO' III opera
b., ~, limo % 1893. The number Of inter |
rational money orders Issued during the
,ear was To-. 500. an increase over the pre- 1
.eding wear OF Il. 526. and their value was
~ 4Sf 337. 80. an increase Of N,22l1O5'5l'
rbe number Of orders paid was @OSli' an
Increase over the preceding year OF l5Do5'
nd their value was s5,2S5 $3.50, an in
rease Of S9i.094.S9.
From the FOREGOING statement II appears
hat the total issue OF money orders ana
,ostal notes for the year amounted TO
i5s so. 1924 The number Of letters and
,ackages r,ailed during the year Tor
Ipecial delivery was 3,3l5,69S, an increase
,ver the preceding year Of nearly twenty
wo pe- cent. The special delivery stamps
Iscd upon trese letters and packages
mounted to 1857 $3.50, and the messen-
,srs fees paid for their delivery amounted
o s265. 592.71, leaving a profit TO the gov
rnment o: sSO975.59.
Railway siait Service.
The railway mail service not only adds
10 the promptness of mail delivery at all |
offices, but it is the especial instrumental
ity 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 postal service has |
therefore received much attention from |
the postmastergencral and though |
IL is gratifying 10 know that 1t Is In |
condition Of high efficiency and great |
usefulness. / am led TO dgree with the
-. a.
'or its further Improvement There are /
low connected with the post-ofiice estab-
ishments 25,324 employees who are in
he classified service. The head Of this
reat department gives conclusive evil
lence OF the value Of civil service reform
when, after an experience that renders
IFS judgment on this subject absolutely
eliable, he expresses the opinion that
Without the benefit of this system, 1t
would be impossible TO conduct the vast
BUSINESS intrusted TO him.
I desire 10 commend as specially worthy
4 prompt attention, the suggestions Of
he Postmaster General relating 10 a
more sensible and busness-like organza-
ion, and a better distribution OF respon-
Utility in his department.
The Nav. department.
The report Of the Secretary OF the Navy
department. during the past year, and cx-
ibits a most gratifying condition Of The
ersonnel OF our navy. lie presents a sat
sfactory account of the progress which
as been made in the construction of YES
els and makes "A number OF recommended |
Ions, TO which attention is especially in
tied.
During the past few months. the de-
lands for cruising vessels have been many
nd urgent. There have been reVOlu-
Ions calling for vessels 10 protect Ameri-
an interests I'm Nicaragua, Guatemala,
osta Rica. Honduras. Argentine, and
'razll, while the condition OF affairs in
honolulu has required the constant pres
nee of one or more ships. With all
hese calls upon our navy. II becomes ne
in order TO make up a sufficient
eet, to patrol the Behring sea under the
lodus vivendi agreed upon with Great
;ritain TO detail TO that service one YES
FL from the fish commission, and three
rom the revenue marine.
Progress IN the construction OF new yes
els has not been as rapid as was ,.ntici-
ated There have been delays I'm the
ompletion OF unarmored vessels, but for
he most part. they have been such as
re constantly occurring even In countries
aving the LARGEST experience "a naval
The most serious delays.
owever. nave been in The work upon mr.
1ored ships. The t.ouble has been ihe
allure OF contractors TO deliver armor MS
greed. The difficulties seem now. how
Yer. 20 have been all overcome and armor
being delivered with satisfactory
romptness
AS a result Of the experience acquired
v ship-builders and designers and inate-
al now. IL Is believed that the dates
lion vessels viii be completed can how |