Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-19
Postal Reforms.

Mr.. Dayton, the postmaster or new
York city. recently returned home after
n visit TO Europe. Whilst abroad he
investigated the postal system OF Eng
land. and thinks that ne learned somc'
thIrg from his Investigations He did
not approve Of all that he saw. but en-
deavorcd to keep in n discriminating
frame Of mind. 1t behooves us In
America to allow no foreign postal
changes which are n real reform OF or
Improvement upon our system ito be
overlooked in this country.
Perhaps the most important matter
touched upon by Mr.. Dayton was the
postal telegraph. which he says is car
ricd on at a great loss TO the British
government. The reason given Is that the
government acquired the telegraph lines on
terms which were not advantageous. This
reason leaves the question open. and VIII
have to be supplemented by better rea-
sons before government telegraphs can
be condemned. There are strong reasons
TO be urged both in favor Of and against
such teiegraphs. The whole business OF
carrying letters is, in the United States.
under the control OF the National Gov
eminent. Nevertheless. that fact will
not induce persons who DO not desire
to see that government encroaching upon
the domain of private business TO set
the seal Of their approval upon govern
ment postal telegraph. In the words Of
the Providence Post, the telegraph lines
of any country constitute heavy burthen
for the public to carry.
Mr.. Dayton says that the post-ofiicc
buildings in England. and the manner Of
collecting ana distributing the mails are
superior 10 ours. The tubular system OF
taking up and transferring mail-matter
he found TO be in use In both London
and Paris II Is not crcdtable to Uncle
Sam that he should b. behindhand in
this reform. which has been brought to
great perfection In Paris. The Post says
that this mode of communication is al
most instantaneous. London has forty
miles of tubing.
In London business-houses are allowed
to purchase their own collection boxes
for a small sum with a guarantee that
the mail will be taken W four times
day. Prompt transportation and dis
tribution OF business mail is special
feature of the London service.
Mr.. Dayton was greatly pleased with
the parcels post" and wishes TO try
II In New York. lie has no fault to
find with the British postal-savings
banks. nor with the life-insurance sys-
tem-both government institutions" As
to the postal-savings banks. we quote
from Bradstreet's. which In turn quotes
from the British Postmaster-Gen
1.-The total amount. including interest.
due to depositors on December 81, 1893.
the close OF the savings-ban year, was
$50 So. .64l representing an increase Of
562 during the year. or about f5o0 600
more than the increase in 1892. Besides
this the amount Of government stock
held by depositors was augmented by
f7G5. "A, raising the total amount on De-
cember 3lst 10 Il. 1854. i9i distributed among
60, Isl stock accounts
There are now over 1900 post-ofiices
at which savings-bank business is trans
acted about 800 having been added in
the year 1893"
Touching the cost of management. II
appears tndt tne expense OF dunilHlstid-
ton In 1898. after deducting amounts re-
ceived for commission on government
stock transactions md for the issue of
duplicate deposit-books. was 1886 in
Guiding nearly 10000 for postage"
Whilst upon the subject of postal re-
forms We will add that the next national
postal congress will be held in Washing
ton city in 1897. This congress will en-
deavor to make regulations to govern
the exchange of mails between all the
countries of the world. Also, to arrange
for universal postage stamp, which
can be used in any country.
Before 1897 the United States Govern
ment WILL we hope, have improved its
postal system greatly.