The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-27


News regarding the present postofiice
facilities writ en-, but as an earnest
protest at the long-continued disregard
Of the postal needs of this city. 1t is an
outrage and a disgrace that the
people of the second largest city
in New England are forced
to put up with the Inconvenience
of doing business in the old government
building at any time, and now while the
old ramshackle building is undergoing
repairs the most contemptuous disregard
for public convenience is manifested.
Business has to be transacted from the
sidewalks on the main streets and on
alleyways surrounding the building.
Signs scrawled on brown wrapping
paper announce the various departments.
Old shoe and dry goods boxes piled up
on end serve as desks on which letters
are to be addressed or postal cards writ
ten. A board laid over an empty po-
tato barrel serves as o desk on which
to write applications for money orders,
and this in an alleyway devoted to sa-
looms, policy shops, and bootblack head
quarters.
A broken pane of glass serves as q
place through which mail matter Is
handed out to those calling for their
mail at the general delivery. In front
of the postoffice on pile of boxes are
located postal boxes in which letters are
to be deposited to be sent away. Bells
with strings attached hang out of win
dows to be used in calling attention OF
clerks inside to the wants Of patrons.
In the rain today these delightful
arrangements were thoroughly appreci-
ated.
Had Providen ce been devastated by
the fire fiend and not single building
left standing there might possibly be
some excuse for such slovenly attempt
at furnishing accommodations, but as it
is there isn't shadow of reason for
such shiftless ness. Decent desks might
have been placed In the corridors and
other accommodations might have been
arranged ut moderate and insignificant
cost; but no, old barrels and boxes are
good enough for the men and women of
Providence.
Congressman Lapham has introduced
a bill calling for an appropriation OF
$500, 600 for new government building
in this city. Just now an appropriation
of $50 would furnish at least decent ac-
commodations for the patrons OF the
postoffice. Other New England cities
have magnificent postoffices. Maine
has several. At Rockland an
elegant granite structure, at Au-
grsta almost granite palace,
Portland marble building so
far ahead Of the Providence postoffice
that it would feel disgraced to have our
building ms stable for use of the horses
which draw its mail wagons. Lewis :
ton is to have a new building and all
over the Pine Tree state you can find
good postoffices. There is not decent
one in the whole state of Rhode Island,
nor one which can accommodate the
business offered.
Rhode Island has her full complement
of senators and congressman and has
had for some years, yet they do not
seem able to get Uncle Sam to look very
favorabIy upon the wants Of our little
but progressive state.
1t is not partisan question. It is
not case of politics. II is a matter Of
business an fair treatment. We have
no criticisms to make, but we have
suggestion to offer, and that is that the
Board of Trade, the Business Mems
association, and other organized bodies
of business men take this matter up
now and push it to successful conclu
sion. A request to the postmaster
general for an inquiry into the condition
of affairs here would be OF great value
in securing change which is dcmlnd-
ed by the interests and the welfare Of
the city. The establishment Of sub
stations at various points in the city
would be measure of relief that would
add much to the prompt rec eipt and dis
tribution Of the mails.