The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-11-19
THE UNITED STATES MAILS
First Annual Report Of Post
:master-General Gary.
THE POSTAL SAVINGS SYSTEM

AL CsS SoS4- 0SA4S1 Shx 0SS1 y
THE POSTAL SAVINGS SYSTEM
His Reasons for Supporting the Prop.
in European Countries.
Washington, Nov. 16.-The first an
nual report of Postmaster-Ge General
James A. Gary to the president was
made public today. Its feature is the
strong advocacy of postal savings de-
positories, scheme over which Post
MASTER General Gary has worked for
several months in the formulation of
plans to present to the president and
congress. He says the time is ripe for
their establishment, and that the addi-
tion of well-organized system would
confer great boon upon large num-
ber of people, and ultimately be of in
estimable benefit to the whole country.
The estimates of revenues and expendi-
tures, for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1899, are:
Total postal revenue for 1s97..... ss2 665 1852 73
Adds per l33, ,273 I3
Estimated revenue for 1sss......-.s $50 7es. 1856
Add per 6075, so
Total estimates. revenue 1899 .. ss2, ,s74, ,647.s7
Estimated expenditures for 1898 . $9S 922, ,76O 90
Deficiency for 1899, estimated.-....... 6U4s, 63
Following is an abstract of the re-
port:
The increase of the postal deficit of
1897 is largely reflection of the de-
pressed condition which prevailed all
over the United States in the first three
quarters of that period. There has been
no extravaganza of expenditures, save
that obligated by law. The injustice
inflicted both upon the postal revenues
and the people by second-class mail
matter is reiterated and the enactment
by congress of, some measure to remedy
the wrong is recommended, as by past
postmasters- general. The report con-
tinues:
IF this was done there would be an
end to postal deficits, and the service
could be enlarged and popularized by
broad extension of the free delivery
without infringement upon the general
resources of the government, and would
eventually result in the much desired
reduction of letter postage to cent.
'No method for perfect organization
of the postal service has proved more
effective than the consolidation of post
offices. Legislative restrictions on its
development are to be regretted, and
report of the five-mile limit connssolida-
tion measure in. the 1895 postal appro-
priation bill its recommended"
The experiment of rural free delivery
has been generously appreciated. Few
expenditures have conferred greater
benefits in proportion, and it has un-
questionably proved potent factor in
attaining what should be chief aim of
government, the, granting OF. the best
possible facilities to the farming class.
The report reviews in detail the opera
tions of the various branches-of the de-
partment. The portion on the subject
Of postal. savings service follows:
Many millions Of dollars is un-
doubtedly secreted by people who have
little or no confidence in ordinary Sc
curities and monetary institutions or
ganized by private citizens. 1t is dead
capital, but if it's owners could be in
spired with absolute confidence in the
security of an investment it is alto
gether probable that the bulk of this
fund would find its way into the chan
nels of trade and commerce. If the
government undertook this task, the
service would undoubtedly be gladly ac-
cepted by the people. Their faith in
the government is unbounded. Their
little savings, which separately could
hardly be put out at interest, would
amount in the aggregate to sum that
could be invested to their advantage.
1t would tend to cultivate thrift in
large class realizing the advantage of
depositing with the government, in
stead of wastefully and uselessly ex-
pending it; it would tend to better re-
lationship, bringing into closer relation
ship the government and its citizens,
and developing practical and enduring
patriotism. This growth of patriotic,
sentiment and good citizenship consti-s
tutes powerful appeal to statesman
ship to make way for those benefcent
consequences. The proposition is an
accom- plished fact in nearly every coun-
try in Europe, in British dependencies
of both hemispheres, and even in Ha-
waii. In Great Britain 1000, 600 de-
positors have upwards of $3.50. 900, 900
in savings, accumulated during 80
years, and in 10 years no fewer than
10000 Hawaiian depositors saved near
ly $1,0O0,000 Deposits in Canada in
30 years exceeded $22, 900, 900. These
vast accumulations have been made
with the least possible loss to the gov
ernments which guarantee their repay
ment.
"More than 1000 postal savings ac-
counts in European offices are held by
minors, and over two-thirds by the
most humble callings. It is essentially
the bank of this class. Postal savings
would not conflict with other savings
banks, but would encourage savings
rather than accumulations. The con-
version of money-order Offices into saw
ings repositories would soon afford in
fnitely more facility for receiving in
terest bearing deposits than the in
terest-paying banks do now.
Victoria, B. c., Nov. 16.-Five
miners who arrived here today via the
Stickeen route, report that just before
they left Dawson, October 6, rich
1 4 L I : L !.