Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-11

and interesting statement OF the important
work done under his supervision, during
management by the government of peni-
tentares for the confinement OF those
convicted in United States courts of viola
lions of federal laws. which for many
years has been subject OF executive rec
concentration, has at last TO a slight ex-
tent been realized by the utilization Of the
abandoned military prison at Forth IeaV-
enworth as a United States pententiary.
This is certainly move in the right direc-
ton. but il ought 10 be at once supple
mented by the rebuilding or extensive en-
largement of this improvsed prison and
the construction OF al least one more. 10 be
located IN the southern states. The ca
pacity Of the Leavenworth pcnitentiary is
so limited that the expense Of its main
tenance calculated at per capita rate
upon the number OF prisoners II can accom-
modate does not make as economical ex-
hihit as IL would If II were larger and bet
ter adapted 10 prison purposes; but am
thoroughly convinced that economy, hui
mainly and a proper sense OF responsibility
and duty toward those whom we punish for
violations Of federal law dictate that the
federal government should have the entire
control and management of the peniten-
tiarles where convicted violators are con-
fined. II appears that since the transfer
OF the Fort Leavenworth military prison
20 its new uses the work previously done
~ prisoners confined there and for which
expensive machinery has been provided
has been disconinucd This work con-
sisted OF the manufacture Of articles for
army use now done elsewhere. on all
grounds IL is exceedingly desirable that the
conVicts confined in this penitentary be
allowed 10 resume work OF this descrip-
ton.
Abolition OF the Fee System
II is most gratifying to note the sat
isfactory results that have followed
the in9uguration of the new system
1896, under which certain federal Of
hclals are compensated by salaries instead
Of fees. The new plan was put in opera
ton on the LIST day Of July, 1896. and al
ready
prevention Of abuses and its tendency 10
better enforcement Of the laws are strik-
lngly apparent. Detailed evidence Of the
usetuincss of this long delayed but now
happily complished reform will be found
clearly set forth in the attorneygenerals
report
The Postal Service.
The post office department is in good
condition, and the exhibit made Of IFS OBJ
erations during the fiscal year ended juno
20 1896, II allowance is made for mper-
fecuonS IN the laws applicable 10 IL. is very
satisfactory, The total receipts during the
pcnditures were $so. G26. 2se 81. exclusive Of
1859, sos. q. which was earned 10y the Pa.
clhc railroad frr transportation and cred
ited on their debt 70 the government. There
Vas an Increase OF receipts over the pre-
Vious year Of $J,516.0Np 81, or IL per cent
a a. 10 an increase Of Expenditure of $3,SSf.-
N,6'9,95GlS, less than that Of the preceding
wear.
The chief expenditures Of the postsl ser.
vice are regulated by law and are not in
the control Of the postmaster general All
that he can accomplish by the most watch
Iul administration and economy is TO en-
force prompt and thorough collection and
accounting for public moneys and such
minor savings in small expenditures. and
In letting those contracts for post Office
supplies and star service. which are not
regulated by statute.
An effective cooperation between the au-
ditorS ONCE and the post office department
and the making and enforcement OF orders
by the department requiring immediate
notification 10 their sureties of any de-
inquencies on the part Of postmasters and
compelling such postmasters to make more
frequent deposits Of postal funds have re
suited suited in a pTompter auditing Of their ac-
eminent than heretofore.
Large Extensions.
The years report shows large extensions
Of both star route service and railway
ties. Much higher accuracy in handling |
mails has also been reached as appears
by the decrease OF errors in the railway |
mail service and the reduction Of mail mat |
ter returned 10 the dead letter office.
Abuse OF Second-Cl Rates.
The deficit for the last year, although |
much less than that OF the last and pre- |
ceding years, emphasizes the necessity for |
legislation 10 correct the growing abuse |
of second-class rates, TO which the de- |
hciency is mainly attributable. The trans. |
OF serial Libraries, advertising sheets, |
house organs periodicals advertising |
some particular house or lnStltuuOn), |
sample copies and the ike ought certainly |
to be discontinued.
A glance at the revenues received for the |
work done last year Will show more plainly |
than any other statement the gross abuse |
of the postal service and the growing |
waste of its earnings, The free matter |
carried in the mails for the department,
offices, etc, of the government and for |
in pounds amounted 10 "a iSO, lS9.
II this is offset against buildings for post |
offices and stations, the rentals Of which |
postal service. we have this exhibit:
Weight Of mail matter (other than above |
transmitted through the mails for the year
ended June 80. 1896
Class Weight, lbs Revenue
/ Domestic and foreign
letters and postal
cards, etc............... 65,337 343 $50 624, 46i
2 Newspapers and peri
odiCals, lc per ib.......34S, 9S8,6iS 1886, i03
g. Books. seeds, etc, sc -
Parcels. etc .iec per 10 iS's56is7 si25,$2i
Totals ..................5l2,s77,8 1926 s7o4.257
Expenditures
The remainder Of our postal revenue,
amounting to something more than $780,
GEO. was derived from box rents, registry |
fees, money-order business and other siml-
lar items. The entire expenditures Of ths
department, including pay for Transports
ton credited 10 the Pacific railroads, was
SS2, l66, 1911, which may be considered as
the cost Of receiving, carrying and deliV-
ering the above mail matter. 1t thus APP
pears that though the seCOnd-claSS mat
ter constituted more than two-thirds of
the total that was carried, the revenue
derived from il was less than one-thirtieth
Of the total expense. The average revenue
from each pound Of tirst-class matter was
% cents. From each pound of second
class, SlR mills. (Of the second class 52,3iS-
297 was county-free natter. From each
pound OF third class. 1871 cents From each
pound of fourth class, 1916 cents. The
growth Of weight OF second-class matter
has been from 600 pounds IN 1894 70
BIZ, 100000 pounds in 1895, and to almost
$40 0O0, 900 in 1896, and II is quite evident this
dra wback is far outstripping any
possible growth Of postal revenues
Abuses Must he Corrected.
Our mail service should of course be |
such as 10 meet the wants and even the
OF our people, al direct
charge upon them so light as perhaps 20
exclude the idea of Our post office depart
ment being a money-making concern; but |
in the face of constantly recurring de-
fciency in its revenues, and in view of the
fact that we supply the best mail service
in the world il seems to me IL is quite time
TO correct the abuses that swell efror-
mously our annual deficit II we concede
the public policy Of carrying weekly news
papers free in the county Of publication.
and even the policy Of carrying at less
~ hpf 9TH