The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1894-12-06
PosToFFIcn AFFArns
A Change I'm second-CIass Rates Il.
Ree0rmunamAaa


The report of the postmaster general pre-
sents comprehensive statement OF the
operations Of the postofI1ce department for
the last fiscal year. The receipts Of the
department. during the year amounted to
$75,0S0 470.04 and the expenditures Ss4. 324.-
414.15
The transactions OF the postal service I'm.
dicafe with barometric certainty the luctua-
lions In the business Of the country mas
much, therefore, as business complications
continue to exist throughout the last year
TO the unforeseen extent, ii Is not surprising
that the deficiency OF revenue to meet the
expenditures OF the postcfice department.
which was estimated in advance al about
eight million dollars, should be exceeded by
nearly one and one quarter million dollars
The ascertained revenues of the last year.
which We're the basis Of calculation for the
current year, being less than estimated the
deficiency for the current year will be cor
respondingly greater, though the postmaster
general states that the latest Indications
diets an Increase Of at least per cent in
the revenues of the current year over those
o. the last year. The expenditures increase
steadiiy ana 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.
Unnecessary Deficiency.
The postmaster general states that this
deficiency Is unnecessary and might be OBJ
Waited at once IL the law regulating rafes
upon mall matter of the second class was
modified. The rate received for the trans
cent per pound, while the cost OF such
transmission to the government is eight
times that amount. In the general terms of
periodicals. The extensions of the meaning
OF these terms from time to time have adj
mitted to the privileges intended for legiti-
mate newspapers and periodicals a surnrfs-
Ing range Of publications and created abuses
the cost OF which In the aggregate to the
total deficiency of the postofice department.
Pretended newspapers are started by busi-
ness houses for the mere purpose Of adyer-
Using goods. complying with the law In
Formally 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 pur-
pose only. The result is great loss to the
government besides It's humiliating use as
an agency to aid In carrying out the scheme
of a business house to advertise Its goods
by means OF trick upon both It's rival
houses and the regular and legitimate news
papers. Paper covered literature, consist
ing mainly of trashy novels, to the ex-
tent of many thousands of tons, is sent
through the mails at one cent per pound
while the publishers of standard works are
required to pay eight times that amount
In sending their publications. Another
abuse consists In the free carriage through
the mails of hundreds OF tons Of seed and
grain nselessly distributed through the de-
partment Of agriculture. The postmaster
ed as to eradicate these abuses not only will
the postoffiee department
Show NO Deficiency,
but he believes that in the near future all
legitimate newspapers and periodical mag
aZines might be properly transmitted
through the mails to their destination free
of cost. invite your prompt consideration
of this subject and fully indorse the views
Of the postmaster general.
The total number Of postoffices in the
United States on June 30, 1894, was 81, 805.
an increase of l, 403 over the preceding year.
OF these !, 426 We're presidential, an increase
In that class of 68 over the preceding year.
The postmaster general renews the sug-
gestion made in a previous report that the
department organization be increased to the
extent of creating direct district super.
vision of all postal affairs, and In this
suggestion fully concur,
There are now connected with the post
office establishment 81, 661 employees who
are in the classified service. This includes
many who have been classified upon the
suggestion Of the postmasterGeneral. lie
states that another years experience at the
head Of the department serves only to
strengthen the conviction as to the excellent
working of the civil service law in this
branch of the public service,