Postal Riders and Raiders

by W. H. Gantz

Coming down twelve years to 1872 the total weight of second-class matter was that year less than 65,000,000 pounds.

Now it is 817,428,141 pounds, more than twelve times greater.

Then the postage rate was four times what it is now.

Then the gross revenue was $21,915,426; now it is $224,128,657, more than ten times as much.

Then there was no rural free delivery; now that system costs $36,923,737.

Then there were no registered letters; now there are 42,053,574 a year.

Then there were issued $48,515,532 of domestic money orders; now there are issued $547,993,641.

Then postmasters were paid $5,121,665; now they are paid $27,514,362, and their clerks are paid $38,035,456.62.

Then city delivery cost but little; now it costs $31,805,485.28.

In 1872 there were issued of stamps, stamped envelopes and wrappers less than $18,000,000 (there were no postal cards); now are issued, including postal cards, $202,064,887.96, more than ten times as much.