TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
A missing word is denoted by the caret ^ .
There is only one footnote in the book, referenced eight times fromthe list of Carrier Stations on page 193, and it has been placed atthe end of that list.
Fractions are shown in the format a-b/c,for example 7-2/25 or 1/4;the original book used the format a b-c.
Some other minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.
The Postal Service
(Fifth Edition)
By J. J. O’REILLY
EDITOR
THE GOVERNMENT WEEKLY
The Chief Publishing Company
5 BEEKMAN STREET
NEW YORK CITY
Copyrighted 1912
By The Chief Publishing Company
FOREWORD
No other branch of the Federal Government furnishesemployment to so many men as the postal service,particularly that branch of it in which lettercarriers and clerks are used. In every city vacanciesoccur frequently, by reason of death, resignation ortransfer, and the prospects of employment are alwaysgood for intelligent young men of studious habits. Tosecure an appointment in the postal service, as in otherfields of labor, one must prove his fitness for the jobdesired. Uncle Sam requires that this shall be donein an open competitive examination, and usually thereare hundreds, in the large cities thousands, competingin the same examinations. Taking New York Cityas an example, the annual appointments to each positionaverage between 200 to 300, while the eligible listsusually contain 1,000 to 1,500 each. From this it willbe seen that only a small percentage stand any show ofappointment. Those that do succeed are the menwho took pains to prepare themselves for the test by acareful study of the subjects required. The purpose ofthis book is to help the candidate to “brush up,” todirect him in self-improvement, and point the way bywhich any person of ordinary intelligence, willing todevote his leisure moments to study, can pass a goodexamination and get within striking distance on theeligible list.
CHAPTER I.
CRADLE DAYS OF THE POSTAL SERVICE.
No Branch of the federal government more strikinglyillustrates the wonderful growth and extensionof Uncle Sam’s business than the Postal Service. Itshistory is the history of the commercial and industrialdevelopment of the nation, for it has kept abreast, sofar as supplying the means of quic