The record-union., 1897-12-19
A NEEDED REFORM.

It is claimed-and we trust that it is
accurate information that transmits
this claim-that under the present Ad-
1ninistration the slovenly use of the
postal mark on letters has been re-
ouced from 10 to 80 per cent.
That is good for beginning, but it
should be reduced 100 per cent. If not
so now, in the recent past it was i'm
possible in the vast majority of cases
to make out the several postal marks
on a letter. If the date was clear the
place Of mailing was obscure; if the
stamp OF the place of origination was
good. the stamp of receipt was bad in
some essential particular.
Now, every business man knows that
it is of the highest Importance that the
postal mark Of the point Of departure
should be clear bold and strong. Very
often much depends upon it, and espe-
cially upon the hour Of mailing being
distinctly indicated But if anything
in this respect can be waived, nothing
whatever can be conceded for illegi-
bility in the post mark of receipt. 1t
is of vital Importance very frequently
and daily to know at what hour the
letter was received at the Posto1Iice of
delivery, and by what mail it came,
whether from a Postoffice or a railway
postal car en- route.
Machines have been introduced large
7x,i 70 TA La 70 o.
and in every case they stamp more legi-
bly, than can be or is done by hand. But
there Is no reason why hand stamping
should be so miserably performed as it
as. Business men, we venture to say,
would prefer to have distribution pro-
ceed somewhat more lengthily in order
TO secure, If necessary, greater legi-
biity in the post marks.
We have knowledge of cases where
honor, much money. integrity, the ten
ure of a position, and the blasting or
the vindication of character have all
depended upon the legibility of a postal
mark on a letter. Such cases are not
infrequent. 1t is only necessary to ask
any business man his opinion upon the
subject to receive very emphatic YER
dict in the line we have indicated.
If 1t is not important TO know whence
q letter comes. why use the stamp
at all? If It is not often very i'm
portant TO know the hour of receipt as
well as the date, why stamp the letter
ct the Office of receipt? Either give
us clear, legible, indisputable postal
marks or abandon them altogether.
We undertake TO say that total aban-
donment is greatly preferable to slovli-
ness and eligibility. In the latter case
vexation, doubt, questioned veracity,
woman's virtue and mans honor often
depend. In the former case all evil
dences relating to any Of these would
have TO be extrinsic, and the testimony
OF the Postoffice stamp not being in
volved. there would be infinitely less
Inconvenience and trouble.
No good business house would permit
its documents to be stamped as care
aessly and slovenly as a large portion
OF mail matter. The Government of
the United States loses a vast sum each
year in the conduct of the mail service
and postal maintenance But the peo-
pie do not regret a single cent Of this
expenditure. The public convenience
amply compensates for the great out
20 in excess of the income. It viii cost
very little more to have the post mark
TTorkin all this service better done. There
ought to go up from all over the land a
demand for such betterment. even If II
neeessitates the introduction OF ma
chine stamping in every Postoffice.
However that is not necessary. Let
post mark clerk be instructed TO ink
more. strike square. and make less
haste, and we win have results graft
tying to the entire business world OF
America