It was
demonstrated that, aside from the public convenience and the promotion
of harmony among citizens, invariably disturbed by change of leasings
and of site, it was a measure of the highest economy and of sound
business judgment. It was found that the Government was paying in rents
at the rate of from 7 to 10 per cent per annum on what the cost of such
public buildings would be. A very great advantage resulting from such a
law would be the prevention of a large number of bills constantly
introduced for the erection of public buildings at places, and involving
expenditures not justified by public necessity. I trust that this
measure will become a law at the present session of Congress.
Of the total number of postmasters 54,874 are of the fourth class.
These, of course, receive no allowances whatever for expenses in the
service, and their compensation is fixed by percentages on receipts at
their respective offices. This rate of compensation may have been, and
probably was, at some time just, but the standard has remained unchanged
through the several reductions in the rates of postage. Such reductions
have necessarily cut down the compensation of these officials, while it
undoubtedly increased the business performed by them. Simple justice
requires attention to this subject, to the end that fourth-class
postmasters may receive at least an equivalent to that which the law
itself, fixing the rate, intended for them.
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