People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-12-08
POsTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The Discrepancy Between Receipts and
Expenditures Much Commented Upon.

The report Of the postmaster-general con-
tains detailed statement Of the operations OF
the postofice department during the last ifs.
cal year. and much interesting information
touching this important branch OF. the public
service The business OF the mails Indicate
with absolute certainty the condition OF the
business OF the country, and depression in
financial affairs inevitably and quickly reduces
the postal revenues Therefore a larger dis
erepa1cy than usual between the postonice re-
ceiptS and expenditures is the expected and
unavoidable result OF the distressing string.
ency which has prevailed throughout the
country during much Of the time covered by
the postmaster generals report
HAt date wnen, better times were antici.
pate il was estimated by his predecessor that
the deficiency on the 3Oth day OF June 1898
would be but little over 81 $4,000 IL amounted
however, TO more than sl0O0.00) At the same
time and under the influence of like anticipa-
tion estimates we're made for the current Is-
cal year ending June 30 1894. which exhibited a
surplus OF revenue over expenditures of Ss12,
2b II but now in view Of the actnal receipts
and expenditures durnS that part Of the cur
rent fiscal year already expired the present
post master General estimates that az its close
instead OF surplus there will be a deficiency
oil nearly sS00l,O0l
The postoftice receipts for the last fiscal
year amounted to $40, SO 1888 l6 and its expend.
lures 10 %l,074.lOig0 This postoffice de.
| hclency would disappear or be immensely de.
creased II less matter was carried free through
the mails, an item OF which is upward OF 800
tons OF seeds and grain from the agricultural
departments. The total number Of post ifices
| IN the United States on the 3Oth day Of June
| 1873 was 6S,i0i, an increase Of l,2Si over the
preceding year OF these 1880 were presiden.
tlal, an increase in that class OF 20i over the
| preceding year
The railway mail service not only adds 10
the promptness OF mail delivery at all offices,
| but Il is the especial instrumentality which
puts the smaller and way places in the service
on an equality in that regard with the lar.er
and terminal offices
This branch OF the postal service has there.
fore received much attention from the post
master general and though ii is gratifying 10
know that il is in condition OF high efficiency
| and great usefulness, | am led TO aYree with
the postmaster general that there is room for
| Its further improvement There are now con.
nected with the pOstoffice establishment %, "a
employees who are in the classified service
| The head OF this great department gives con-
| elusive evidence OF the value Of civil service
reform, when after an experience that renders
his JUDGMENT on the subject absolutely relia-
| Bile, he expresses the opinion that without the
beneht OF this system ii would be impossible
TO conduct the vast business intrusied 10 him
| desire TO commend as especially worthy OF
| prompt attention the suggestions OF the post
master general relatin to a more sensible and
business-like organization and better dis.
tribution OF responsibility in his department