The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-27
POSTAL. CONVENTION
Some Points Of Interest Concerning the
Recent Meeting In Washington.
sKTY.7Wo NATIONS REPRESENTED
Che United States Has More Post
Offices md Moro Miles ofPostal
and Is the Only Ono that Loses
Money on The Business.
Washington, June IS, 1897.

Washington, June IS, 1897.
Within three weeks there have been
fifteen postmasters general in Washing
ton. They were from Hungary, Bel
glum, Bulgaria, Chile, Denmark, Egypt,
Cape Colony, Austria, India, Mexico,
Norway. Holland. the Transvaal and
Sweden. These gentlemen were dele
gates to the universal postal congress
lately in session here. iSixty-two nations
were represented in this convention by
104 delega tes and attaches The object
was to improve postal facilities through
out the world. This Is done by the ac-
ton OF the convention, afterwards rati-
fed by the different governments repre-
sented
The United States was the first to sug-
gest such q convention. The suggestion
was made by Postmaster General Mont
gomery Blair In 1863. The first conven-
ton, however, was not held until 1874.
Only six nations were represented, and
they met in Berne. The second was held
n Paris in 1878; the third in Lisbon I'm
the fifth III Washington at the pres
ent day. The sixth will be held in Rome
In 1904.
The convention met in the old Cor
coran art gallery. The highly polished
mahogany desks We're ARRANGED in q
semi-circ1e. something like the desks in
the United States Senate chamber The
1Tle3e OF tho room was composed OF the
various coats OF arms OF the various
natons represented. with flags festooned
ABOVE them. The walls were draped with
heavy velour OF maroon color. 40 as
10 conflne the sound within the chamber
and make IT easy for each delegate to
be heard. All the sessions were secret
d nke me n, executive sessions of the SEN
ate. The delegates were practically ne
6otiating Il treaty, and treaties are al
ways negotiated in secrecy.
The presiding officer and president ar
the congress was General George S.
ba.cneilers an American and the two
nei Charles Chalie-Long and Robert
StockWell Hatcher both America ns
CoIonei Long was well known in IIgynt
Jong ago, and Mr.. Hatcher has been the
Eentatives. ~ =
All the proceedings. documents and
data OF the convention were In French
EVen the Germans sanctioned the use ~
Inc french language. It Is the court
~ OF the world. and Prussia took
me lead IN making 1t so under the reir.
OF frederick the Great Lately RusS.
endeaVored to supplant the French Ian
suage IN oriental courts. but failed. The
work OF the convention was filtered
ihrouSh three committees. They met at
Speclhed times and presented theiI. 70
ports for consideration. The members
never resolved themselves into commit
zee OF the whole. although it was thought
that action would be taken in commitfes
OF the whole before adjournment The
thalrInan or each committee called it.
10 order with n bell, after the French
method. There was some difficulty in
selecting these bells ut the beeinninn ~
the session. The United States Govern
ment paid for the bells All sorts NJ
oeHs were offered: Old-fashioned din
hotl- <.11t
bells and many others. The chairman
OF the committees selected exquisite 1T
lie tlnklers Something more Ella borate
was chosen for the presiding officer.
general Batcheller, however never used
me pen IN opening or closing sessions, or
OF one Of the delegates, "Hc brought
the convention to order with a club"
Ihfs may mean that he used a. cane in
the place Of n gaveI or bell
Two OF the desks in the hall were
draped in black. One was in memory
Of the postmaster general at Berlin. who
died from an accident after his selec-
ton by the emperor. The other was
draped In memory of the delegate from
Hawaii. who died few weeks ago
The prominent men in the discussion
were the delegates from Great Britain.
France: Germany and Italy. AL were
perfectly conVersant with the subject
and are fluent speakers. Bruno Fritsch'
representing the German empire or
eanlzed the military postal service OF
Prussia during the war with France in
1S71-'72. This work was wonderful. Let
tiers reached the German soldiers.
whether on picket or even in the line
OF battle. with the regularity and pre-
cislon of a city delivery Another re-
mafkable delegate was Hochi, who has
been speaker Of the Lower House in
Japan for three terms. His rulings
were made with such vigor and original
lty as to lead his friends to call him the
tom Reed Of Japan" General Tyner.
an eX-Postmaster General Of the United
States. was also delegate. Capt. n. M.
Brooks. for thirty years the superinten-
dent of the foreign mails in the Post
office Department here at Washington.
also represented the United States. He
was a delegate to Vienna. and his long
experience made him q valued member.
Another delegate of distinction was
Spencer WalpOle. representing Great
Britain. One OF the American delegates
asked him whether 1t was his father
or his grandfather who wrote the His
tory Of England" He smiled and re-
piled, Neither; am the man"
Another delegate was the Hon Emilio
Chtaradia, q member Of the italian
House of Representatives.. He is to go
to the Senate this fall. He wears I'VE
little gold medals strung together. They
represent the only compensation re-
ceived from the government by n mem
Der of the italian Parliament One Of
thesa medals Is given to each member