The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-04

OF staTlstlc, economic and social science,
The Postal Service.
The remarkable growth Of the postal
service is shown in the fact that its rev.
enues have doubled and its expenditures
have nearly doubled within twelve years.
Its progressive development compels con-
stantly increasing outlay, but in this ne
riod of business energy and prosperity it's
receipts grow so much faster than its ex-
penses that the annual deficit has been
steadily reduced from ,779 in 1897 to
$3,923 ~ in 1901. Among recent, postal adj
vances the success of rural free delivery
wherever established has been so marked
and actual experience has made its bene-
fits so plain that the demand for its ex-
tension is general and urgent.
1t is just that the great agricultural
population should share in the improve
ment of the service. The number of rural
routes now in operation is 5000, practical
ly all established within three years, and |
there are 5000 applications awaiting ac-
ton. 1t is expected that the number in |
operation at the close of the current fiscal |
year will reach 5000 The mail will then |
be daily carried to the doors of 100000 Of |
our people who have heretofore been de- |
pendent upon distant offices, and one third |
of all that portion of the country which is
adapted to it will be covered by this kind
of service.
The full Measure of postal progress
which might be realized has long been
hampered and INSTRUCTED by the heavy |
burden imposed on the government
through the intrenched and well under
stood abuses which have grown up in con-
nection with second class mail matter.
The extent of this burden appears when it
is stated that, while the second class mat
ter makes nearly three-fifths of the weight
of all the mail, it paid for the last fiscal
year only "a, 294, AS of the aggregate postal
revenue of Sill, 6S1. 1893. If the pound rate
of postage which produces the large loss
thus entailed and which was fixed by the
congress with the purpose of encouraging
the dissemination of public information.
were limited to the legitimate newspapers
and periodicals. actually contemplated by
the law, no Just exception could be taken.
That expense would be the recognized and
accepted cost of a liberal public policy de-
nberately adopted for a justif1able end.
But much of the matter which enjoys the
privileged rate is wholly outside of the
intent of the law and has secured admis-
sion only through an evasion of its re-
ouirements or through lax construction.
The proportion of such wrongly included
matter is estimated by postal experts to
be one-half of the whole volume of second
class mail. If 1t be only one-third or one
quarter the magnitude of the burden Is
now undertaken to remove the abuses so |
far as is possible by stricter application |
of the law, and it should be sustained in
its effort
The Chinese situation.
Owing to the rapid growth of our power |
and our interests on the Pacific whatever |
happens in China must be of the keenest |
national concern to us.
The general terms of the settlement Of
the questions growing out of the antifor- |
eign uprisings in China Of 1900 having |
been formulated in joint note addressed |
to China by the representatives of the in |
jured powers in December last, were
promptly accepted by the Chinese govern |
ment After protracted conferences the !
plenipotentiaries of the several powers
were able to sign final protocol with the |
Chinese plenipotentiaries on the lth or
last September, setting forth the meas |
ures taken by China in compliance with |
the demands of the joint note and ex-
pressing their satisfaction Herewith. 1t
will be laid before the congress-, with a re-
port of the plenipotentiary on behalf OF
the United States Mr.. William Woodville
Rockhill, to whom high praise is due for
The tact, good judgment and energy he
has displayed in performing an exception
ally difficult and delicate task.
The agreement reached disposes in
manner satisfactory to the powers of the |
various grounds of complaint and will
contribute materir lily to better future re- |
lations between china and the powers. |
Reparation has been made by China for |
the murder of foreigners during the up |
rising, and punishment has been inflicted !
on the officials, however high In rank, |
recognized as responsible for or having |
participated in the outbreak. Official ex-
'aminations have been forbidden for pc |
Rod of five years in all cities in which |
foreigners have been murdered or cruelty |
treated and edicts have been issued max |
ing all officials directly responsible for the
future safety of foreigners and for the
suppression of violence against them.
Provisions have been made for insuring |
The future safety of the foreign repre- |
sentatives in Picking by setting aside for |
their exclusive use quarter OF the CITY |
which the powers can make detenslole
and in which they can If necessary mann |
tain permanent military guards, by DIS
rnantling the military works between the
capital and the sea and by allowing the
temporary maintenance of foreign mill
tary posts along this line. An edict has
been issued by the emperor of China pro-
hibiting for two years the importation OF
arms and ammunition into China China
has agreed to pay adequate indemnities
to the states, societies and individuals
for the losses sustained by them and for !
the expenses of the military expeditions |
sent by the various powers to protect life |
and restore order.
what China Has Promised.
Under the provisions of the joint note |
of December, 1900 China has agreed to re- |
wise the treaties OF commerce and naviga-
ton and to take such other steps Tor the |
purpose of facilitating foreign trade as
the foreign powers may decide TO De
needed.
The Chinese government has agreed to
participate financially in the work of bet
teriug the water approaches TO Shanghai |
and to Tientsin, the centers OF foreign |
trade in central and northern China ana
an international conservancy board IN |
which the Chinese government is largely |
rsnresented. has been provided for the
Improvement of the Shanghai river and
the control Of its navigation. In the same
line of commercial advantages revision
of the present tariff on imports has been
sssented to for the purpose OF supstitut-
tna specifc for ad valorem duties. and an
expert has been sent ABROAD on tne par
of the United States to assist In this
work. a list of articles to remain free OF
d,,tv including flour, cereals and rice
gold and silver coin and bullion. has also
been agreed upon in the settlement
During these troubles our government
has .tluswervingly advocated moderation
and has materially aided IN bringing
60 ~, adjustment which tends to en-
nance the welfare Of China and to lead
m a more beneficial intercourse between
the empire ana the modern world; while
In the critical period Of revolt and mas
sacre we did our full share in safeguard
ing life and property. restoring order ana
indicating the national interest anu . iIoii.
or RI behooves us to continue in these
naths doing what lies in our power TO
foster Feelings of good win and leaving no
efr9rt untried to work out the great policy
of fnll and fair intercourse between China
and the nations on a footing OF equal