Year: 1873

regulating an exchange of correspondence
| between the Cuited States aud Japan by
| means of direct lines of steamers plying
between the seapOrts of the two countries,


has been formally agreed upon and ex-


ecuted with the charge d'affsires of Japan
| at W ashlngtol, and is to be carried into eft
| iect SIX months after its ratification bv the
| government of Japau


The Postmaster General in spe aking of
| the negotiation between the United States
| and France tor a postal convention, SAYS
| that the department yielded to France an
increase of the rate Of letter postage and


the advantage Of rating and collecting for
postage by the smaller standard Of weight,
and nothing can be urged against its adop-
ton except the demand that this country
shall use the exceptional French standard
for rating letters. 1t has been submitted
by the French minister to his govern
ment for instruction, and the Postmaster
General trusts thAt it will be accept
ed, as it coaceHes all that, in his


Judgment, the department can cOncede to
effect a settlement of the vexed questions
IN the controversy, due regard beng
had to the interests and convenience of the
American people. The Postmaster General
repeats his recommendation for the prepay
ment of postage on newspapers and other
matter of the second class by weight OF
packages rather than by the present sys-
TEN. SO marked would be the improvement
in collections under this plan that he be-
lleves the department could safely consent,
in case OF its adoption, to a reduction
IN newspaper rates of forty per cent on
present prices. He further recommends
that on all matter Of the third class, the
postage be made uniform at one cent for
each two ounces or fraction thereof, and
the maximum weight of packages increased
to four pounds; also than any person be
permitted. without additional charge, to
write form of presentation in any book
pamphlet. magazine. periodical or other
matters Of the third class, and also that
the sender of any package be permit
ted. without additional charge, to write
his or her name and address on
the outside thereof with the word
from above or preceding the same, so as
to inform the person addressed of the name
OF the sender. and to write briefly on any
package tie number and name of TIE arti-
cles inclOsed.


The Postmaster General. at some length
recommends postal savings repositories.
Throughout the plan for their organization
and work. two ideas predOminate: first,
the United States is to insure the safe
return of principal and interest whenever
demanded, and secondly, the extensive ma
chinerv of the postotice is to be used to
bring It's advantages home to the great mass
OF the people. The system organized, con-
Quoted ON the basis presented, would
not only encourage economy and lab-
its Of saving on the part of ALL
who might be in the way of earning small
sums of money, but would tend largely to
utilize and keep in circulation the immense
amounts which are paid out for wages and
IN business. and give every depositOr
direct interest in the stability of the gov
eminent.


The Postmaster General again urges the
assumption by the government OF the con-
troi OF the telegraph. Agovernment postal
telegraph is the only means by which the
full eeneft OF this great invention can be
secuTefe I"r wherever the telegraph is
under government management it is ope-
rate1 at It's minimum cost, and the people
receive the benefit in low rates of trans
mission aud III greatly entended facilities


she telegraph should be made part of
the postal system, without further delay,
as Congress does not seem inclined 10 exer-
else the discretion given in the third see
tlon of Che ace of July 2i 1856. to appoint
appraisers to- value tue lines. property and
eHtcls Hf the companies now in operations
and as the Western Union company appear
to bae unwilling fo make voluntary sale, ut
= falc price, the Postmaster General recon.
E.eDd, tlas provision be made by law for
the immediate establishment of the postal
telegraph aud for the construction of all such
wiv.. may be needed under the direc ton
q: competent officers OF the engineer corps
o. ehe arInyo The experience they acquired
Guriug the war of Che rebellion would epa-
BILE them ;" do the work in the most eco
Ss,g -! and satisfactory qnanneSa