Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-12-14

through the mails of hundreds OF tons o.
seed and grain uselessly distributed
through the department of agriculture
The postmaster general predicts thai
IL the law be so amended as to eradicate
these abuses, not only will the post
Office department not show a deficiency
hut he believes that in the near future
all legitimate newspapers and period
icals will be properly transmitted
through the mails to their subscribers
free of cost. l invite your prompt con
sideration of this subject and fully in
dorse the views of the postmaster gen.
eral.
STATISTICS.
The total number of postonices in the
United States on the 30th day of June,
1894 was S., sos, an increase of ,4O3 over
the preceding year. OF these 3,42S were
presidential, an increase in that class of
6s over the preceding year. Six hun
dred and ten cities and towns are pro-
vlded with free delivery. 80 other cities
and towns entitled to this service under
the law have not been accorded 1t on
account of insufficient funds. The eX-
pense of free delivery for the current
fiscal year will be more than $12, 300 900
and under existing legislation. this item
of expenditure is subject to constant
increase The estimated cost of rural
free delivery generally is so very large
that 1t ought not to be considered in
the present condition of affairs.
During the year $50 additional domes-
tic money order offices were established.
The total number of these offices at
the close of the year was 1926. There
were IA ,40S, 041 money orders issued dur
ing the year, being an increase over the
preceding year of 994, 306. The value of
these orders amounted to $13S. 1893, 579.49,
an increase of 81. 2l2, 145.S4. There were
also issued during the year postal notes
amounting to $l2 $40. 094 IS. During the
year 21S interna tional money order Of
fees were added to those already es-
tablished, making a total of 1926 such
offices in operation June 30. 1894. The
number of international money orders
issued during the year was 9l7,S23, a de-
crease of 1885, 172; and their value was
$13. 1872 455.31 a decrease In amount of
81, SAG, 1925 The number of orders paid
was 361. 1870, an increase over the preced-
ing year of 60, 1853, and their value was
6,56S, 493.7S, an increase of $1,2S5, 11S.
From the foregoing statements, it APP
pears that the total issue of money
orders and postal notes for the year
amounted to $165, 235. 1895. The num-
Der of letters and packages mailed during
the year for special delivery was 1885,
O70. The special delivery stamps used
upon these letters and packages
amounted to $343, 697 The messengers,
fees paid for their delivery amounted
to 1851, 200.70, leaving a balance in favor
of the government of $50. 1870 The re
port shows most gratifying results in
the way of economies worked out with
out affecting the efficiency of the postal
service. These consist in abrogation of
steamship subsidy contracts. re-letting
of mail transportation contracts and
in the cost and amount of supplies used
in the service, amounting in all to &c.
619, O47.42.
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION.
This report also contains valuable
contribution to the history of the uni
yersal postal union, an arrangement
which amounts practically to the estab
iishment of one postal system for the
entire civilized world. Special attention
is directed to this subject at this time,
gress OF the union will meet in Wash
ington in 1897. and it is hoped that time
ly action will be taken in the direction
of perfecting preparations for that
event
The postmaster general renews the
suggestion made in previous reports
that the department organization be
increased to the extent of creating a
direct district supervision of all postal
affairs and in this suggestion. | fully
concur.
There are connected with the post
Office establishment 80 66l employees who
are in the classified service. This in
cludes many who have been classified
on the suggestion of the postmaster
general. He states that another year E
experience at the head of the depart
ment serves only to strengthen the
conviction as to the excellent working
of the civil service in this branch OF
the public service.
WARSHIpS AND NAVAL MATTERS.
Plea for More Vessels of Defense an,
offcnsc.
Attention Is called to the report of tn,
secretary of the navy, which shows very
in ha nm OFT pf