The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-27

at the end Of each term OF service.
Among the associates Of Signor Chiara-
dia was q brother Of the Count Brazza,
the great italian explorer. He has an
American wife. The delegate from
Transvaal was an honored relative of
excursion with other delegates to Fort
ress Monroe the other day he asked
his associates to drink to the health Of
his SON. This was done. At that very
hour his son lay dead in Pretoria The
sad information was received short
time afterward.
The treaty which these delegates have
been engaged in securing will not so
into effect until January /, 1899. Prior
to this 1t will be ratified by the various
governments. China, Corea, and the
Orange Free State are the only nations
that have no vote in the convention
Their delegates were there by courtesy
only, as their countries are not members
Of the postal union. At the next con-
Vention, however; these countries will
be thoroughly represented.
The delegates from Persia. brought
an autograph letter from the new shah
to President Mckinley, announcing his
accession to the throne. The shah, re-
Numbering that the convention was to
be held In Washington, requested him to
represent Persia and gave him the pro-
per credentials. He spoke French like
Partisan.
The United States occupies proml-
nent position in this postal brotherhood
has 10000 post-ofices, twice as many as
any other country. Germany comes next
with about half this number, while
Great Britain has less than a third.
There are $4,000 officers and employees
in our service. Germany is not far be-
hind us. Germany has the lead In the
number of letter boxes for the use OF
the public, France being second, and
the United States third. We occupy the
sixth place in the proportion of offices
to population and the sixteenth Of post
offices to area. In New South Wales
the average OF articles OF mail matter
received by each inhabitant is %; in
the United States, IS. Curlously enough
in this respect Hawaii is fourteenth,
outranking many countries supposed to
be more advanced, such as Italy, Nor
way, Sweden, Chile. Russia and Japan.
NO other country approaches the
United States in it's railway routes. 1t
many is next highest with only $4,000
miles. The United States ranks first in
postal income and expenditure, Ger
many being 8. close second. Our postal
service costs about S91 100000 a year.
The revenue Is 100000 less. All other
countries make a profit out of the postal
business. Great Britain clears about
$14 100000 q year and France about s1O-
oO0.UUU.
The Constitution says "Congress shall
have power to establish postoffices and
post roads" 1t early delegated to the
Post Office Department the establish
ment OF postoftices, but for many years
retained the right to establish post
roads. The clerk Of the House Com
mittee on Postofiices and Post Roads,
made UP at each session a formidable bill
10 establish these roads, and 1t was
~ c,Ca II wi 1,n,, fSo,.
would request the clerk to put in line
of post road from "Skeedunk' to Skeet-
ville.'' and 1t was done. Finally Con-
gress got tired OF the business and left
1t to the discretion Of the Postmaster
General. s.
The nomenclature Of the postoff1ces in
the United States is interesting. Every
name which fancy. local conditions or
patriotism can suggest seems to have
been used. Two words are frequently
used In spelling. such as "Longpine" in
Arkansas, and "Bigbug" in Arizona.
nose" and Kentucky in "Jamboree."
"Jimtown" is located in three States and
In the Indian territory. For a. long
time there was only one "'Frilby'' post
office. Lately q Florida village of that
name has turned up. II is way down
toward the st. Sebastian river, in the
pineapple country. II has a Svengali
square, Little Billee and Taffy streets
and Laird lane. Fools Glilch" is a sta
tlon In Arizona.
There are seventy-four Beavers" in
the Union. Michigan has town named
after Governor Pingree There are six
teen Growers one In Cleveland county,
n. c. Gold" is a postal station in Cali
fornia and Pennsylvania, and Green
back is In both North Carolina and Ten
nessec. There are seven offices named
silver" and one in New Jersey known
as Little Silver" The South is repre-
scented by such names az NEGRO"
"Megroarm." Negrohead," and Negro
NIL" Young America" flourishes in In
diana and Minnesota Zero is in Ken
lucky and Iowa, and not in North Da-
kota. Head of Grassy" is in Kentucky.
Head OF Barren" In Tennessee ana
Head Of Island" III Louisiana. oregon
and West Virginia have utilized the
name OF Job" and Patience" is found
only III pennsyiXania. Ell" gets there in
Oklahoma. Grit" hourishes in North
Carolina and Wisconsin. s"I.ong" and
Short" are pcssoffices in different States
and Hat" Is In Irwin county, Missjssip-
III. a. B. c." appears in Tennesaee.
Re" in Texas, "Ka" in West Virginia
Jolly in Ohio, "Jollytown" In Penn
sylvanta; "Girltown" in Ala bama. and
"Goodby' In Indiana.
more. lis work is done and it's dele.
gates are scattered over the country in
search OF information Meanwhila the
letter carriers and clerks of Tinted
States postoffices will resume their ef-
forts 70 induce Congress to give them at
least 80 per cent Of the pay or an ordna.
ry New York police officer.
AMOS J. CUMMINGS.