The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-29
MIR. BlSSELL'S REPORT.
OPERATIONS or THE POsT-OFFICE
DEPIRTMENTDURr YEAR.
A Large Deficiency-So Beuoficlal Results
From the Ocean Mail sub.idy-Ciyil
Service Reform.

wAsHiNGTON, .. G., Nov. 2S.-The an
nual report Of Pos,master-G General Bissell.
made public to-day, shows. in the briefest
space consistent with a proper understand
ing Of the subjects treated, the operations
OF the department during the last fiscal
year. The report indicates that the depart
ment has been conducted on strictly bust
ness principles and that in this respect.
as In others, General Bissoh's administra-
tion has been very successful. The most
has been made Of he funds available.
and II is also demonstrated that during
the first year OF the administration not
withstanding the charges that have been
made the efffciency of the service in every
department has actually been increased.
Hitherto the first year of a new admins
tration has shoSn a material lowering Of
the standard Of efficiency from that Of
the previous year.
Large Deficiency.
The financial statement shows that the
deficiency for the year ended June 30, 1898,
was S5.l771u, instead Of 81 l.j52 l23 as es-
timated by Mr. Wanamaker; and that
Instead OF a surplus OF $S72,2i5 for the cur
rent fiscal year as estimated there viii
be an estimated deficiency OF $3.50, ,473.
The Postmaster-Generl estimates the
gross revenue for the fiscal year end'ns
June %, 1888. at sSi, i,421, 7is, and the gross
estimated expenditures at $50, 399, 4S5. leay-
Ing ar estimated deficiency Of s5.97l 736,
which, however Will be decreased $4,000
from funds taken from the unpaid money
order accounts.
The Fostmaster-General adopts the re-
cominen 'ations previously made public
adverse to the extension OF the experiment
tai tree delivery system. The estimated
free delivery deficiency amounts 20 S6S,000.
lie suggests that postal notes be abOl-
ished, and hat the rates charged for all
domestic money orders should be re-
duced anu the form Of order simplfed.
The Mail Subsidy.
Regarding the ocean mail subsidy, the
Postmaster General says that he is unable
to ascertain that any positive advantages
have accrued from either Il mail or COM
mercial point or View, by reason OF the
contracts thus far put IN operation under
tie act Of March 3, 1881, and that there
fore no new contracts have cen entered
into. The increased cost OF the convey
ance on ocean mails under this act, for
the years 1893, lS0i 1895, and 1896 (the last
two years estimated), viii be Si0,2JO. .fO4.
He states that the gains IN tie expedi-
ton Of the mails have not been material.
and the advantages derived from the gov
ernments control OF the ships are in
commensurate with the cost OF the SER
vice.
NIr. Bissen states that the financial
depression greatly dimqishes the volume
Of postal receipts. He does not think,
however. that the large deficiency Will
have 4 detcff-.t effect UPON the general
development Hl tn- service nor induce an
increase OF postal rates fs Iocommends
the enactment OF d law which viii per-
nit pCstm ters with the consent Of the
Postmaster eneral, to suspend opera
tions for t.u days without violation or
the rules; .aw which w.H permit the
Postmaster NJ 70 81 ave OF not
more than thra. months WITH fun pay.
10 any carrier Or ci.rs disabled by cas-
ualty while IN performance OF duty.
Civil Service Reform
The Postmaster-General devotes con-
siderable space 10 discussion Of civil
service reform. There are 2SS34 en-
pl0yes I'm the classified service I'm the
postal-onice establishment OF the govern
ment He makes special comment on
the wholesale removals Of Democratic
clerks in the railroad mail service at the
beginning Of the last administration. He
says:
II have long been a firm believer
IN the application Of the merit system I'm
the selection Of employees for subordi-
nate positions IN the public service Eight
months Of practical experience at the
head Of the Post-Odice Department tends
90 confirm my belief IN the benefit OF the
civil service law. Indeed. so great have bee
come the proportions OF this department
ana the magnitude OF It's operations, that
In my judgment It would be a matter of
practical mp0ssibility % conduct It's az
fairs with any nearer approach 70 it's
present degree Of efficiency without the
benefit and protection Of thia law"
An important rule established By Afr.
Bissell, that fourth-class postmasters
shall not be removed before the expira-
ti0n OF four years OF incumbency, unless |
for cause shown, will, he thinks. have q |
tendency 10 dignity the Office by placing |
IL on a par with presidential Offices as 10 !