The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-04
PAGES 0 TO II.

atlon mas, however, been made TO carry
the act into effect and the old and dis
creditable condition stil exists. IL Is not
my purpose at this time 10 repeat the con-
siderations which make an impregnable
case in favor Of the ownership and man
agement OF the government Of the penal
institutions in which federal prisoners are
confined. j simply desire to again urge
former recommendations on the subject.
and TO particularly call the attention OF
congress 20 that part OF the report OF
the Secretary Of War i'm which he states
that the military prison at Fort Leaven-
worth, Kan, can be turned over to the
government as a prison fer federal cnn-
victs without the least difficulty, and with
an actual saving Of money from every
point OF view.
Pending a complete reform. 7 hope that
by the adoption OF the suggestion OF the
Secretary of War this easy step may be
taken In the direction of the proper care
OF It's convicts by the government of the
United States.
The report Of the Postmaster General
presents comprehensive statement of the
operations OF the postofice department for
the last fiscal year. The receipts OF the
department during the year amounted to
$4,000, 1901 and the expenditures 70 SS4.-
3fufl5. The transactions Of the postal
service Indicate with barometric certainty
the fluctuations in the business Of the
country Inasmuch. therefore, as business
complications continue TO exist throughout
the last year to an Unforeseen extent Il is
not surprising that the deficiency of rev.
enue TO meet the expenditures of the post
office department which was estimated in
advance at about $S0O0.000 should be ex-
ceeded by nearly $l2J0.000 The ascer-
tanned revenues of the last year. which
were the basis Of calculation for the cur
rent year, will be correspondlngly greater.
though the Postmaster General states that
the latest indications are so favorable.
that he confidently predicts an increase OF
at least per cent in the revenues of the
current year over those of last year. The
expenditures increase steadily and neces-
sarily with the growth and needs of the
country so that the deficiency Is greater
or less In any year depending upon the
volume Of the receipts. The Postmaster
General states that this deficiency is un-
necessary 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 Sec
ond class matter Is per cent. per pound
while the cost Of such transmission to the
government is eight times that amount.
In the general terms Of the law, this rate
covers newspapers and periodicals. The
extensions of the meaning of these terms
from time to time have admitted to the
privileges intended for legitimate news
papers and periodicals a surprising range
of publications and created abuses, the
cost of which amount in the aggregate TO
the total deficiency In the postoffice de-
partment. Pretended newspapers are
started by business houses for the mere
purpose of advertising goods, complying
with the law In form only and discontinue
ing 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 re-
suit is a great loss Of revenue TO the gov
eminent besides its humiliating use as an
agency TO aid In carrying out the scheme
of a business house to advertise its goods
by means of a trick upon both its rival
houses and the regular and legitimate
newspapers. Paper covered literature
consisting mainly Of trashy novels, to the
extent OF many thousands of tons, Is sent
through the mails at 1 cent per pounds
while the publishers Of standard works
are required TO pay eight times the amount
in sending their publications. Another
abuse consists In the free carriage through
the mails of hundreds of tons of seed and
grain uselessly distributed by the DEPART
ment of agriculture. The Postmaster Gen.
eral predicts II the law be 80 amended as
to eradicate the abuses, not only Will
the postofiice department show no de-
ficiency, but he believes that in the near
future all legitimate newspapers and PERI
odical magazines might be properly trans
mitted through the malls to their Sub-
scribers free Of cost. invite your prompt
consideration Oh THIS SuDJttNs anu IAtty III
dorse the views Of the Postmaster General
The total number of postofices I'M
the United States on the Both day of june
1894, was IS, S05, an increase of 1,403 over
the preceding year. OF these 3428 are
presidential an increase in that class OF
IS over the preceding year.
Six hundred and ten cities and towns
are provided with free delivery, ninety
three other cities and towns entitled to
this service under the law have not been
accorded it on account Of insufficient
funds. The expenses of free delivery for
the current fiscal year will be more than
SO 300 900 and under existing legislation
this item of expenditure is subject to con-
slant increase. The estimated cost OF
using the free delivery generally is so
very large that 1t is not to be considered
in the present condition of affairs.
During the year $50 additional domestic
money order Offices were established. The
total number of these offices at the close
Of the year was 1924. There were 1884,
OIL money orders issued during the year,
being an increase over the preceding year
Of 994, 306. The value of these orders
amounted to S13s 79S, 579.49, an increase OF
81 ,2l7, 1854. There were also issued dur
ing the year postal notes amounting To
81, $40 094.55.
During the year 21S international money
order offices were added to those already
established, making a total Of 2,625 such
Offices in operation since June 30, 1894. The
number of International money orders
issued during the year was 917,s23, a de-
crease in number of 1888, 176 and their value
was 49, 792, 45531 a decrease in amount of
81 549, 382.55. The number Of orders paid
was 361 1870 an increase over the preceding
year Of 90 263 and their value was $685.
1879, an increase Of 81, 7S5, 11S.08.
From the foregoing statements It APP
pears that the total issue of money orders
and postal notes for the year amounted
to $165, 2S5, 1895
The number Of letters and packages
mailed during the year for special deliy-
cry was $40. The special delivery
stamps used upon these letters and pack
ages amounted to s343.697. The messen-
gers fees paid for their delivery amounts
ed to S26l, 209.70, leaving a balance in favor
of the government OF S2,4S730
The report shows most gratifying re-
suits in the way of economies worked out,
without affecting the efficiency of the
postal service. These consist in the abro-
cation of steamship subsidy contracts. re-
letting Of mail transportation contracts,
nd 1f