Rocky Ford enterprise., 1893-12-07
THE PosToFF,cE DEPARTMENT
Mr.. B.ssel's Report shows . Deficit OF
Over %, 900, 900.

Mr.. BIssel;'s Report shows . Dcncit OF
Over $4,000, 900.
The following is an abstract Of the report
of Postmaster General Bissell:
The postmaster general shows the deficien-
cy for the year ended juno 80, 1898. was s5.-
l77,l71, instead OF 81 ,552, ,423, rs estimated by
Hr. Wanamnkcr, and that instead Of . sur
plus of ss72, ,245 for the current fiscal year, as
estimated by Mr.. wanamaker, there will be
an estimated deficit OF s7,s3O,418. He csti-
mates the gross reSenue for the fiscal yeat
ending June 80, 1895; at ss4, 4,427,74s and the
gross expenditures at $9o, ,s99, ,4s5, leaving an
estimated deficit of s5,971,7S8, which, how
ever, will be decreased sl,250 900 from the
fund taxen from the unpaid money order ac-
counts.
Although there are ninety-three additional
postofices now entitled to free delivery SER
Vice, the absence of money renders impossible
the establishment of the systems in these
towns. After thorough trial Of two and .
half years, the experiments Of free delivery
tried in AGO towns Of populations ranging
from 900 to 1900 have not proven the desira-
bility OF establishing the system, which the
postmaster general says would cause nd an.
nual outlay of SIC, ,O0O, 900. The appropriation
OF $40 900, 900 for the trial of rural free deliv
cry has been found inadequate for fair test,
and the plan is not approved.
There has been a marked increase in tho
special delivery business, the entire numoer
of such pieces of mail matter being 1875, 793,
an increase over last year Of % per cent
He suggests that postal notes be abolished
and that the rates charged for ali domestic
money orders should be reduced and the form
Of order simpllfed.
The department carried last year 301 ,0OO,-
900 pounds of second-class matter, an In
crease Of ID per cent. Concerning this tho
postmaster general remarks he is afraid this
indicates not so much healthy growth In the
periodical literature Of the country As the
success Of cnterprising publishers In securing
the entry Of many publications in this favored
class that are really not entitled to the privi-
lege.
While Mr.. wanamaker estimated the profits
froth the sale of Columbian stamps would be
s2,5O0, ,0C0, Mr.. Bissclrs estimate is only ST.
100000.
On June 80, 1898, there were 8s, i03 post
offices in the United States, na increase Of
1884 over the previous year.
Mr. Blssell devotes considerable space TO o
discussion Of civil service reform. He makes
special comment on the wholesale discharge
Of Democratic clerks in the railway service
at the beginning of the last administration.
Mr.. Blssells rule that fourth-class postmas-
ters shall not be removed until the expiration
of four years incumbency, he thinks will Dig
nifty the office by placing 1T on par with
presidential offices as to tenure.
Mr.. Bissell makes special mention Of the
needs of the ten larger offices Of the country
New York. Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston,
St. Louis Cincinnati, Brooklyn, San Francis
co, Baltimore and Pittsburg-which yield.one-
third OF tho total postal revenues, and he
recommends that those Offices be placed In
class by themselves and an appropriation
made for them by Congress direct without
the Intervention Of rules and methods that
are properly applicable to other postoffices.
The most important order made by Mr.. Bis
sci Is the one which declares postmasters shall
devote their time to the duties OF their office.
In this connection he states that the time has
passed when postoflice appointment should
be hsld as a political sinecure.
The question Of the enlargement of the parcel
post. as to havo It apply especially to Great
Britain and European counties, 10 soon 10 re.
csiye Mr.. BIssell's attentiou,
The security of tbs fsglstsHd mail ID showu