Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-05

cheaper and more satisfactory work in
the interest not only of our business, but
Of statistic, 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 Pc
riod Of business energy and prosperity its
receipts grow so much faster than it's ex-
penses that the annual deficit has been
steadily reduced from Sl1, 4l1.l79 in 1897 to
50. 9sS.727 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 6,009 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 $780, The mail will then
be daily carried to the doors Of s. 900 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 wen 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-ffths Of the weight
of all the mail, it paid for the last fiscal
year only 81, 294.445 of the aggregate postal
revenue of Sill, 631, 1873. If the pound rate
of postage which produces the large loss
thus entailed and which was fixed by the
congress with the purpose of encoura ging
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 liberal public policy de-
liberately adopted for a juStifiable 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-
quirements 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
apparent. The postofflce department has
now undertaken to remove the abuses SO
far as Is possible by strcter application
of the law, and 1t 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 Snff1anapt nj
the questions growing out of the antfor-
eign uprisings IN China of 1900 having
been formulated in joint note addressed
to China by the representatives of the ia
jured powers in December last were
promptly accepted by the Chinese govern
ment. After protracted conferences the
plenpotentiaries of the several powers
were able to sign final protocol with the
Chinese pleripotentiaries on the 18th OF
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 a
manner satisfactory to the powers of the
various grounds of complaint and will
contribute materially 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 dhe
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 defenSible
and in which they can If necessary main
tain permanent military guards. by dis
mantling 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 therS-&nd 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 for the
purpose Of facilitating foreign trade as
the foreign powers may decide to be
needed.
The Chinese government has agreed to
participate financially in the work of bet
terng the water approaches to Shanghai
and to Tientsin, the centers of foreign
trade in central and northern China, and
an international conservancy board, IL
which the Chinese government Is largely
represented, 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
assented to for the purpose of substtut-
Ing specific for ad valorem duties, and an
expert has been sent abroad on the part
of the United States to assist in this
work. A list of articles to remain free of
duty. including flour cereals and rice
gold and silver coin and bullion, has also
been agreed uDOn in the settlement