The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-03
POSTAL CONGRESS.
important Gathering Of Worlds Representa-.
tives TO Arrange Matters.

Washington, May 3.-The postal oper-
atoms OF the world will pass in review
fefore one Of the most distinguished
bodies that ever met in this country
when the universal postal congress con-
yenes in this city next Wednesday Ii
Is the first time that the universal pos
tai union, now comprising and control
ling, so far as the mails are concerned.
every organized government. save three.
China, Corea and the Orange Free
State, has had its delegates assemble
in America, and the deliberations Of it's
fifth sextennial convention will be
marked by perhaps more pronounced
formallty than has attended any conven-
tion of either national or international
scope that has gathered in this country
for long period.
Sixty odd countries and provinces will
be represented by about 120 delegates,
each country having but single vote.
The sessions Will be held in the historic
old building. which, until recently, was
the home of the Corcoran art gallery.
The hall has been equipped with desks
and other conveniences, and postofiice
will be in operation on the spot until the
meetings close. The delegates who will
form the congress are men Of the high
est rank in postal service. The post
master generals of the several nations
are among them, while leading diplo-
mats have been sent by some of the
countries.
At previous gatherings, the congress
has been extended unusual courtesieS
by the nations whose guests they were,
and while this government is hampered
by lack of satisfactory funds. the post
office department will do everything pos
sible TO make this country an agreeable
host. 1t is among the probabilities,
based on precedent, that the delegates
viii be entertained by both the presi-
dent and the postmaster general, and
the district commissioners will. in case
'of an appropriation they desire Is
granted, give an official reception and O.
water trip, probably to Old Point Com
fort and Richmond. The delegates, be-
fore the close of the congress. will also
he taken on a journey to the West, re-
turning by way of New York. yt
The gathering will be in Washington
from a month TO six weeks, but the con-
gress itself, will meet not more than a
half dozen times. The real work, save
that OF ratification of proceedings when
the committees report, which belongs
to the full congress. devolves upon the
four committees, at least one Of which
will be in session practically every day
except Saturday and Sunday. One
committee will have charge Of the gen
erai treaty, which is adopted at every
congress, and also will settle accounts
between individual countries. With the
latter this country has nothing to do.
"A second committee will take up ar
rangements for exchange of letters OF
declared value, the parcels-post system
and the postal book of identity used by
some countries. A third viii consider
money orders, bills collectable by post
and subscriptions through postofiices to
newspapers and periodicals. while the
fourth will put the new general treaty
into definite shape for ratification.
The congress will be opened by Post
master Gary. who will deliver his salut-
atory In English. while the assemblage
reads the French translation This will
occupy a little over FIVE minutes, being
a formal welcome. Then the senior
delegate, not now selected. will respond
in a few words The election Of a pre-
siding officer will follow.
General George Batcheller. minister
go Portugal Al. aid chairman OF the United
states delegation. probably will be the
honored one.
Many measures will be brought for
ward for consideration. The new treaty
or general convention and many several
minor ones, signed by only two or three
of the countries, will be discussed and
adopted I'm substitution of old ones. in
srder to cover new conditions. Per-