The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-15


ment Is the one with which the people
are the most familiar. In addition to
collecting and transporting the mail
matter Of the country, 1t is the great
est express company in the world, since
1t has an office at every cross road,
carrying merchandise cheaper than the
riders. The registry system provides
a cheap service and 1t is a great bank
ing system of the country. Its drafts
are the best and cheapest and they
are the best commercial paper. Its
notes are gilt edged, and have never
gone to protest. The post Is an old in
stitution of the world. 1t runs back
beyond the memory of man, and be-
yond the record of human history. Its
antiquity is shown by the reference
to 1t in the scriptures, particularly in
Chronicles. 1t is recorded that the
letters were sealed with clay, in the
book of Job. Messengers were known
in the first century. They were sent
from Palestine to the seats of learning
in Babylon.
The office of master of the post was
instituted by Henry the Eighth Of
England, and this gives date to the
origin of postmaster. The Roman en-
pire was probably the first to organize
a postal service. The post originated
from the custom of Roman couriers,
when they waited for the dispatches.
Coming closer home, when the Spanish
conquercrs invaded Peru they found
the people had a system to forward
dispatches. Buildings were erected
less than five miles apart, at which
couriers were stationed. They were
d1Nac tn nd
lected especially for their fidelity,
courage and endurance. The distance
to be covered was small, and they
were given ample time to rest. They
went over the ground very swiftly,
and messages were carried at the rate
of 150 miles a day. What a vast diff
ference between that age and the
present. Then the government only
had the right to use the service. Now
the mail of the government is lost sight
of in the vast amount of correspond
ence of the common people.
THE PRINTERS ART.
Printing is known as the art preser-
vative of all arts. Another greater art
preservative is that of the postoffice
department. The letters of great men
and women are forming a special type
of literature. Were it not for print
ing those wise and witty letters would
not endure for all time. 1t is also true
of the postoffice that carries them
safely. The letters of James Russell
Lowell form one Of the greatest publi-
cations of the century, and they are
hardly to be surpassed. This is due
in no small measure to the fidelity
and efficiency of the American post
office. Only think of the letters of
Lamb, Sidney Smith, Walter Scott,
Dickens, Thackeray and the great re-
ligious leader. Philips Brooks, and
realize how much worse off the people
would have been If those letters had
gone to the dead letter office.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM.
Mr.. James then spoke of the develop
ment of the present postal system, say
ing it began with the proclamation of
Charles in 1886. There was literally
no postoffice in Great Britain them"
he said. Merchants had their letters
left at central office or tavern and
then they were conveyed by messen-
gers. In 1892 Thomas Neal received
letters patent to take charge Of all the
postofices in the colonies and in 1712
his charge terminated.
"The first postoffice in America was
established in New York 225 years ago.
In 1710 the postmaster general of Great
Britain designated New York as the
chief letter office in this country. But
the postoffice service in those days did
not begin to meet the demands Of the
people until that able and many-sided
man, Franklin, was made postmaster
ut 1AI,N lot @ft,Nn TOW,
general for the colonies. He held the
position for several years. He crushed
in the newspaper monopolies and COM
menced to advertise letters remaining
in the postofice and introduced the
fast mails. Instead of mail between
New York and Philadelphia once a
week in summer and twice a month in
winter, he improved the roads and the
business principles of the postoffice
department until a commission was
sent over from England to inquire into
Franklins doings and audit his ac-
counts. During the first four years
the office became upwards of f100 in
debt, but afterwards the service be-
gan to be profitable. At the time of
the commissioners visit the revenue
yielding three times as much as was
received by the crown from the SER
vice in Ireland.
IN THE EARLY DAYS.
"On the commissioners report to
England Franklin was removed from
Office. One of the first acts of the
continental congress was to appoint a
postmaster general at salary of 1000
year and he was allowed to appoint
a clerk at salary of $340 a year.
During the revolution postal matters
We're lost sight of. The earnings of
the New York Office from 1775 to 1916
were only $3.50. The entire revenue of
the department was something less
than $1,000. Mr.. Hazard stated to con-
gress that he was obliged to leave
the service in New York on account
of the frequent removals of the army,
which subjected him to great expense
and fatigue. This is the first instance
of travelling postoffice in the United
States, and this man became post
master general of the colonies.
after Washington's Inauguration
the organization OF the postoffice de-
partment followed, and Samuel Os-
good was appointed postmaster gener-
al, Mr.. Osgood had no clerk. There
were rs postoffices and 1,7S5 miles Of
post routes. The revenues were $37,-
9S5, and the expenses $S2,14O, leaving
a surplus of $5,937, At the close of
the year ending Dec. 1, 1892, there were
CT ,567 postoffices, with 1863 millions Of
miles traversed; the cost of service
was $42, 100000, the revenues $61. .OOO,-
900, and there was deficit Of over
81, 5,O00,O 900.
THE TWO PERIODS.