REPORT OF THE CHIEF POST-OFFICE INSPECTOR. POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF CHIEF POST-OFFICE INSPECTOR, Washington, D. C., October 27, 1885. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report showing work performed by post-office inspectors and the office of mail depredations during the fiscal year 1885: ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS. The arrests caused by post-office inspectors during the year numbered 539, of which 487 were subject to the jurisdiction of United States courts; 52 to that of State courts. The classification and disposition of cases is more fully shown by the following table: DEPREDATIONS ON AND CASUALTIES TO THE MAILS AND POSTAL PROPERTY DURING The cases referred to this office are divided into four classes and designated as Class A, B, C, and F. Class A.-This class comprises all cases referring to domestic registered letters and packages, of which 4,912 cases were made up and referred to inspectors for investigation during the year, and 4,559 cases, including cases reported in previous years, were investigated and finally disposed of. Of the 4,912 cases referred during the year, investigation and reports show that actual loss occurred in 500. Assuming the percentage of loss to have been no greater in the 2,297 cases yet to be reported upon, we can safely estimate the total loss at 939 cases. A comparison of this number with 10,531,642, the total number of pieces registered during the year, will show the comparatively small percentage of loss. These figures only relate to the domestic mails. STATEMENT SHOWING AMOUNT OF MONEY COLLECTED BY INSPECTORS, AND DISPOSITION OF THE SAME. To total amount collected from all sources.. By amount paid to Third Assistant Postmaster-General for payment into United States Treasury, being money collected for this and previous years for which owners could not be found. $1,902 43 By amount paid direct to owners By amount paid to owners through the office of the Chief Inspector $15, 203 43 178 30 13, 122 70 15, 203 43 Class B.-Cases in this class refer to ordinary mail matter. Of this class, 36,410 cases were made up and referred to inspectors during the year, and 31,266 cases, including those referred in previous years, were investigated and finally disposed of. Class C, miscellaneous cases.-This includes all matter which does not relate to depredations on the mails, and is largely composed of inquiries and information called for by other branches of the Department. Of this class 6,604 cases were made up and referred to inspectors during the year, and 6,404 cases, including those referred in previous years, were investigated and finally disposed of. Inspectors recovered and turned in to the Treasury during the year, mostly from delinquent postmasters and ex-postmasters, the sum of $58,352.44, as against $26,927.11 last year. Class F.-All cases relating to or connected with mails to and from foreign countries are comprised in this class, of which 8,343 cases were reported to this office for action during the year; 3,294 related to ordinary mail matter; 5,049 related to registered mail matter; 1,500 complaints originated in England and Possessions; 1,238 in Germany; 1,200 in all other foreign countries; 4,405 in this country; 8,451 cases, including those referred in previous years, were investigated and finally disposed of during the year; 4,643 of the foreign cases closed during the year related to registered matter, of which only 92 proved a loss; 3,708 related to ordinary mail matter, of which 2,357 were closed without the loss being located. The number of communications sent to foreign countries in connection with foreign inquiry correspondence was 7,588. The number of cases on hand awaiting foreign replies is 1,000. CONDENSED STATEMENT SHOWING NUMBER AND CLASS OF CASES INVESTIGATED AND REPORTED UPON DURING THE YEAR. The foregoing statements only show the cases made up and sent to inspectors by the Department. In addition, each inspector has to conduct a large correspondence in the performance of his duties. Very respectfully, Hon. W. F. VILAS, WM. A. WEST, Chief Inspector. Postmaster-General. |
