New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-25
WORK OF THE POSTOFF1CE.
MR. WILSON MAKES HIS FIRST ANNUAL
REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT.

HE REITERATEs THE COMPLAINTS OF HIS PRE-
DECEssoRs AS TO SECOND cLAss RATES AND
ADVOCATES THE EXTENSION OF CIVIL
SERVICE REGULATIONS TO ASSIST
ANT PosTMAsrERs GENERAL
Washington Nov A-Postmaster-General VII
son. in his annual report OF the operations OF the
PostOfTce Department, remarks that the financial
and industrial depression. which has seriously az
fected the revenues OF the postal service for the
last two years ard disappointed the estimates Of
his predecessor. extended far enough into the fiscal
year 1895 10 make unusually wide gap between
revenues and expenditures. A large part OF this
deficiency occurred In the first quarter OF the year.
and since then the revenues of the Department
have reflected. he says, the general returning of
prosperity TO the country.
He mentions the gross abuse OF second-class rates
of postage as the chief cause OF the yearly deficit
In postal revenues. He repeats and indorses the
recommendations OF his predecessors. Bissell and
Wanamaker for amendment OF the law in re-
gard to the transportation OF second-class natter.
and says:
1t is the estimate OF, the Department that two
mails is. under existing laws and class!nca tons.
carried as second-class matter, at the rate OF one
postage free. The aggregate weight OF second
class matter in the year 1894 2s9cooooo pounds.
During the last year II increased to over 100000.
a growth Of 100000 pounds. Deducting the
weight OF that which is known as county free"
being the matter which Is circulated among sub
bers free of postage in the respective counties
OF publication. estimated to be 46.s2NS pounds
at the rate OF one cent per pound a revenue OF
s.s53l4S s.? The average cost TO the Department Of
transporting and handling this matter Is estimated
at eight cents per pound.
Speaking Of the extension OF Civil Service rules
to letter-carriers he says:
An indispensable basis OF good service has been
laid by placing the carrier force under the Civil
Service system, and no efforts should be spared
force, and to familiarize the idea among individual
carriers that, they enter the service by the
by no tenure but that of the faithful and efficient
discharge Of duty. which demands self-respect and
honorable living. 1t Is inevitable that a few In
divlduals here and there should interpret this sta
bility of employment as personal prlyiiege en-.
superior officers. rather than reform based on
considerations of better public service; and such
tinue TO occur. even after the full meaning OF the
Civil Service system is understood and accepted.
by such overwhelming predomnance as to make
the exception more me army o6 Letter
Tho Postmaster General desires Civil Service
methods to be carried still further and higher in
the Postoflice Department. He says:
Two Of my assistants are ire CHARGED each with The
with the MANAGEMENT and discipline, OF tens OF
thousands OF employees. The duties of the other two
Gals are be real heads OF their bureaus. init
mately acquainted with all the. machinery and
inftse their intelligence and zeal among their
subordnates. they should have tenure a. least
as assured from the mutations and chances of DO
ltical contest as those of their subordnaies. The
continuity OF the Department should be preserved
in changes OF administration. not only along the
line of its subordinate and separate service but
in that larger grasp OF its history, its daily work
and its healthful progress. which Is found alone
with those who direct and control its various bu-
reaus In consequence. therefore. in the judgment
of OF my recent predecessors at least three OF
their Offices by Civil Service or merit tenure, and
not by political tenure ! refrain from ohering
master General. because fourth-class postmasters
whose appointments primarily allotted to him,
yet outside OF that tenure
The question of extending Civil Service methods
to the selection OF fourth-class postinasters has
naturally received my attention since have been
difficulties which my experience as a Representa-
tive in Congress of n large country district. dur
Ing three changes OF adminstra tl9n; brought nome
theoretical reformer or 10 the representative or
city constituency have studied various bills in
troduced In both branches OF congress in recent
years and welcomed suggestions from other quar-
tiers. But do not ind myself able to make. as
vet any specific recommendations on this i'm
portant subject in the line OF legislation which has
The order which you have recently approved pro-
vid!ng that when the Postmaster-General shall
consolidate with free-deverv Office any other
nostofice such consolidation shall carry into the
classiHed service at the free-deverv office the
Postoffce Department roster Of employees or the
Office consolidated. including the postmaster. may
be accepted as the beginning and foundation not
only Of better postal service OF the pubc-a bet
ter and more busnesslke accounting 10 this De
rartment-but also wise extens on OF the rr Dlv
10 proceed under the authority of this order as
dscrcetly as can ard In the long run; as, as ar as
mendab,e results.
The other points discussed in the Postmaster
Generals report have been substantially covered by
reDorts ~ the Assistant Postmasiers-General and
bureau chiefs, heretofore made public