The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1894-12-08
P0stoMcs Department.

The report OF the postmaster-general
presents q comprehensive statement OF
the operations Of the postofiice depart
ment for the last fiscal year. The re-
ceipts Of the department during the
year amounted to SIS, oso. 40 o., and
the expenditures to ss4 ,324,4l4 Is. The
transactions OF the postal service in
dictate with barometric certainty the
fiuctuation in the business OF the coun-
try. As much. therefore, as business
complications continued to exist
throughout the last year to an unfore-
seen extent it is not surprising that the
deficiency of revenue to meet the ex-
perditures of the postofiice department,
which WAS estimated in advance at
about IS. 000, 900, should exceed the &C.
timate. The ascertained revenues last
year which were the basis OF calculation
for the current year. being less than es-
timated. the deficiency for the current
year will be c,rrcepondingtv greater,
though the postmaster-general states
that the latest indications are so favor
able that he confidently predicts an in
crease o! at least : per cent in the
revenues OF the current year over those
OF the last year.
The expenditures increase steadily
and necessarily with the growth and
needs OF the country SO that the de-
iiciency is greater or less in any year
depending upon the volume OF receipts.
The postmaster general states that this
deficiency is unnecessary and might be
obviated at once il the law regulating
rates upon mail matter OF the second
class was modified. The rate received
for the transmission OF this second-class
matter lie ! cent per pound, while the
cost OF such transmission to the govern
ment is eight times that amount. In
the general terms OF the law this rate
covers newspapers and periodicals.
THE LAW ABUSED.
The extension Of the meaning Of the
terms from time to time have admitted
to the privileges intended for legitimate
newspapers and periodicals a surprising
range OF publications, and created abuses
the cost OF which amount in the aggre-
gate to the total deficiency OF the post
office department. Pretended newspa-
pcrs are started by business houses for
the mere purpose OF advertising goods,
complying with the law in form only,
and disseminating the publications as
soon as the period Of advertising is over.
Sample copies Of pretended newspapers
are issued in great numbers for like
purpose only. The result is great loss
| of revenue TO the government besides its
humiliating use as an agency to aid in
carving ont the scheme OF a bushes:
house to advertise its goods by mean,
OF q trick upon both its rival house.
and the regular and legitimate news
papers. Paper-covered literature, con-
sisting mainly Of trashy novels, to the
extent OF many thousands Of tons, i.
sent through the mails at l cent 8
pound, while the publishers OF STANDARD
works are required to pay s times thai
amount in sending their publications
An abuse consists in the free carriag,
through the mails Of hundreds Of tom
Of seed and grain uselessly distributed
through the department of agriculture
| The postmaster-generalp predicts that i
| the law be 90 amended as to eradicat,
these abuses, not only will the postotfic,
department not show deficiency, bu
he believes that in the near future al
legitimate newspapers, periodicals an,
magazines will be properly transmitte,
through the mails TO their subscriber
free OF cost. invite your prompt con
eideration OF this subject. and fully in
dorse the views OF the postmaster-g gen
eral. The total number Of p ,stotiices il
the United States on the S0th dav O
June, 1894. WAS 6S.S05, an increase O
l40S over the preceding year. OF thes
S42s were presidential, an increase il
that class OF IS over the preceding year
Six hundred and ten cities and town
are provided with free delivery, aS othe
cities and towns entitled to this servic
under the law have not been accorded |
on account OF insufficient funds. Tn
expense Of free delivery OF the curren
fiscal year will he more than sl2 500. ooC
and under existing legislation this iteu
Of expenditure is subject to constant in
crease. The estimated cost Of rural FIRE
delivery generally is so very large tina
il ought not to he considered in tn
present condition OF affairs.
There are connected with the post
office establishment 50, S6l empiove
who are in the classified service. Thi
includes many who have been classitie
on the suggestion OF the postmaster
general. He states that another year
experience at the head of the depar,
ment serves only to strengthen his cor
viction ~ to the excellent working {
the civil service in this branch Of tn