The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-04

Hallway Company on a basis equltaoie
as regards at private interests an, ~
favorable to the Government as eNistibs
conditions will permit The operduoh OF
a railroad BY court Though receiver
IL All anomalous state OF Things NhSu
should be terminated, on all grouhds'
public and private, at the earliest posi-
ole moment. Besides, not TO enact the
needed enabling legislation at the pres
ent session postpones the whole MATER
until the assembling of a new Congress
and inevitably increases all the comph-
cations of the situation and could nor
but be regarded az a signal failure TO
solve a problem which has practically
hem before the present Congress ever
since its organization.
Fon THE FEDERAL PRISON.
Eight years ago, in my annual message.
| urged upon the Congress as strongly as
| could the location and constructor OF
two prisons for the confinement OF Unit
ed States prisoners. a similar recQinmen-
dalton has been made from time TO
time since. and a few years ago law
was passed providing for the selection
OF sites for three such institutions.
No appropriation has, however, Vetu
made to carry the act into effect, ana the
old and discreditable condltioh sun ca
lists. -, H.. ..
1t is not my purpose at tins time ea, 20
repeat the considerations when illahe
an impregnable case In favor OF the oN
rership and management by the govern
ment of the penal institutions IN WhJm
federal prisoners are conhned sIl9l9
desire TO again urge former recouihe llu ~
tons on the subject, and to particularly
call the attention of the Congress 10
that part Of the report OF the secretary
of War In which he states that the mn
itary prison at Fort LeaVenwOrth. KAN
can be turned over to the Government as
a prison for Federal convicts without
the least difficulty and with an act0ai
saving u money from every point OF
Pending a more complete reform. hope
that by the adoption Of the suggestion or
the Secretary Of War. this easy sep
proper care OF its Couvicts by the Gov
eminent OF the United states.
PosT-oFFICE DEPARTMENT,
The report OF the Postmaster-General
presents a comprehensive statement OF
the operations of the Post-Oiiice Depart
ment for the last fiscal year The re
ceipts Of the department during the year
amounted to $1,000, i790i, and the eXpen-
ditures to $S4,32h4l415. The transactions
of the Postal service indicate with bar
ometric certainty the fluctuations IN the
business of the country. lhasnuchs
therefore, as business compiled tons con-
tinued TO exist. throughout the last year
to an unforeseen extent IL IS not Surpns-
ing that deficiency or revenue 10 meet
the expenditures Of the PoSt-Onice De-
partment, which was estimated In adj
vance at about sSO00,0OJ, should be eN-
ceeded by nearly one ana a quarter NH
lion dollars. The ascertained revenues OF
the last year, which were the basis OF
calculation for the current year, Will be
corr espondingly greater, though the Post
master-General states that the latest IN
dicationS are so favorable that he con-
idently predicts an increase Of at least
per cent. in the revenues or the current
year over those of last year.
The expenditures increase steadily and
necessarily with the growth and needs
of the country so that the deficiency 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 al once II the law regulating
rates upon mail matter Of the second
class was modified. The rate received
for the transmission Of this second class
matter Is one cent per pound. The cost
of such transmission TO the Government
is eight times that amount In the gem
eral terms OF the law this rate covers
newspapers and periodicals. The extern
sions of the meaning OF these terms from
time TO time have admitted to the priyi-
1eges intended for legitimate newspapers
and periodicals a surprising range o
publications and created abuses, the cOSl
of which amount in the aggregate 10 me
total deficiency of the post-ofiice depart
ment.
THE ADVERTISING DODGE.
Pretended newspapers are started by
business houses for the mere purpose or
advertising goods, complying win me
law IN form only and discOntinulng the
publications as soon as the perioI "t
advertising is over. sample copies OF
pretended newspapers are issued m great
number for a like purpose only. Inc re-
suit is a great loss OF revenue 10 the
Government. besides IL Is "A Illuminating
use as an agency to aid in carrying out
the scheme of a business house 70 auNeI-
tise its goods by means OF "a trlck upon
both its rival houses and the regular ana
legitimate newspapers. Paper covered
novels, TO the extent or many thouSaIldS
of tons Is sent through mails al one
cent per pound, while the publishers OF
standard works are required 10 pay elgnt
times the amount I'm sending the pupH-
.ations. Another abuse consists IN the
free carriage through the mails or nun
dreds OF tons OF seed ana gram nSelssSly
distributed through the Department OF
AgIrcuItLre The postmas ter-General
predicts that If the law be 50 amended
as to eradicate these abuses not oiily
viii the PCst-Onice Department sho" no
deficiency but he believes that IN the
near future all legitimat" newspapers
and periodical magazines mbhl De pi"-
uarIv transmitted through the mails 10
their subscribers free Of cost. th'tt@
your prompt consideration OF thls SUD
ioct, and fully indorse the views OF lHe
POstmaster-CieneraL
The total number Of Offices in the
Tinted States on the 3uth day Of June
1891, was 80 500. an Increase ol ~" W.
the preceding year. or these ~, w.
presidential an increase IA thal sI"S9 ol
is over the preceding year.
SiN hundred and ten cities ana toWn7
are provided with free delivery. Ninety
three other cities and towns thullti 10
this service under the law nav not 1geit
accorded ID on account OF luauHcleht
fuuds The expense Of free delivery LOT
The current fiscal year VIII De more lndn
$4,000, and under existing ieSisla''ol
this item of expenditure - Sup1eO W
constant increase. The estimated cost
Of rural free delivery Eenefbly ~ 80
very large that II ought not 20 Dc con
sidered in the present CONDITION Oh al
During the year $50 additional domestic
money order Offices were established. ne
total number OF these Offices "a, a. t"e Us
of the year was l'.-9'. ~ IL
1430t0H money. orders Issued bo' rrec e,is
year. being an increase o'ci 'i'0 nv
The value of these orders amounted to
s19S 793. SO 20, an increase Oh SI'Zl"-
1854
POSTAL NOTES AND MONEY ORDEks.
There were also issued during the year
nostal notes amounting 10 $l2ei5O5i1o'
h%ring Tho year giS International money
rider offices were added 10 those already
established. making a total OF 10 sucn
Offices I'm operation June ~, ioJf me
total number OF international money
orders issued during the year was 3lr-
Sl3 a decrease in number OF los 10 ana
their value was Six, ~, boil, a decreds.r
i'm amount Of S2,hD, So Inc hummer "I
orders paid was 36l 49, an increase over
he preceding year OF 6O,2B and their
value was Sd,56s, 1878, an increase Oh
81. 80, IINoS.
From the foregoing statement II dp-
nears that the total issue OF money ord.i5
and postal notes for the year dmOuhteu
10 sl85 30. i293J. .,.,,,a,
The number Of letters and packages
mailed during the year FOR special ue-
livery was 3, $500. The special delivery
stanps used upon these letters ana PACK
> eses amounted 10 S3f3 6g7 the messengers