The Sun.
London, England, 1839-07-09 00:00:00

LONDON. TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1839.

ROYAL ACADEMY, TRAFALGAR-SQUARE.
THE EXHIBITION of the ROYAL ACA-
DEMY IS NOW OPEN.
Admission (from Eight o'clock till Seven), One Shilling.
Catalogue, One Shilling.
HENRY HOWARD, R. A., Sec. .

ANDAU to be SOLD, good and clean as
A new, having been but little used. It has the improved
head, which opens so completely as to combine all the advan-
tages of a Britschka. Has patent axles, C springs, and all
the appendages usually attached to highly-finished carriages.
It is suitable for town or posting.
Nay be seen at 43, Crawford-street, Eryanston-square.

MEETING OF STATIONERS AND

PAPER MAKERS.

A very numerous and highly respectable meeting of
Stationers and Paper Makers, took place yesterday at
Stationers Hall, for the purpose of taking into con-
sideration the effect that would be produced upon their
trade by the plan proposed by the Government for a
penny post and to adopt such means as might be con-
sidered necessary for the protection of their in-
terests. Among the persons present connected
with the trade, we noticed Mr. Alderman Venables
of the firm of Venables, Wilson, and Co. ; Sir
James Williams, of the firm of Williams, Cooper,
Boyle, and Co. ; Mr. Gibbons of the firm of Gib-
bons and Roe ; Mr. Chater of the firm of Gros-
venor, Chater, and Co. ; and Mr. Wiggins, of the firm
Jones, Wiggins, Teape, and Co. ; and representatives
from all the respectable houses in the trade.
Sir JAMES WILLIAMS was unanimously called to the
Chair. The Honourable Baronet on taking his
seat stated that they had been convened to-
gether for the purpose of considering the plan
that had been proposed by her Majesty's Government,
for the introduction of a general penny post in the
kingdom, and the effect that it would produce upon
their trade, provided it was carried into effect in the
manner now proposed. They had met for that pur-
pose, having no hostility whatever to the Government,
or to the plan for a general reduction of postage, but
merely to discuss the grievance that it would cause to
the trade. There had, as he understood, been several
plans proposed for carrying so desirable an object as a
uniform penny post into effect, but with none of those
plans could they agree, because under them all the paper
maker and the stationer would be greatly injured.
This he believed was the general feeling in the
trade throughout the country ; he rejoiced as much as
any man, at the prospect of a penny post, but then it was
necessary that their rights should be protected. To
consider of the best means of protecting those rights
was the object of the present meeting, and he would
endeavour to obtain for all who addressed it a fair and
impartial hearing.
Mr. GIBBINS proposed the first resolution, to the 111
effect that the meeting were highly gratified by the reso-
lution of her Majesty's Ministers, communicated by the
Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the
House of Commons, for the reduction of the rate of post-
age. There could be no doubt that the proposition of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer would be of immense benefit
to the country at large, commerce would be increased
by it, the poor man would be encouraged to cultivate
his mind through it, and the best results might be ex-
pected. As the resolution was of so general a nature, it
could not be expected that he should enter into the
grievances it was calculated to throw upon the trade,
but lie would leave others, fur more able than himself,
to do so.

Mr. CHATER seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr. Alderman VENABLES moved the second resolu-
tion, deprecating the system proposed to be adopted, as
it would tend greatly to injure the stationery and paper
trade. He trusted the meeting would receive this re-
solution as they had done the last, arid pass it unani-
mously. They were all unanimous in welcoming a
penny post ; the reduction of taxes was always popular,
and to persons interested in the paper trade it was
popular too. The objection they had was not to the plan
but to the mode in which it was proposed to carry it into
effect. Now, with respect to the proposition of collect-
ing the postage by envelopes of a particular description,
there could be no doubt if that plan was adopted that
it would throw the supply of that sort of paper into the
hands of one manufacturer alone, and would by that
means, therefore, take the benefit away from all other
manufacturers. If the plan was carried out by paper
stamped by the Government that would be most offen-
sive from the beginning to the end, as it would place
at once in the hands of the Government the trade in an
article of great use and extensive consumption. Ifthat
bad not been hinted at from higher quarters he Ibni one
could never have believed that such a propositiOn would
have been thought of. If such a plan was to be adopted,
it wouldgo to extinguish inventions, and the great source
from which trade was kept alive. In making that state-
ment he did not allude to letter-paper in particular, but
to all species of paper. Trade was cramped by any-
thing that prevented invention ; and he was quite sure
the plan proposed would have that effect, and it would
be the means of depriving the retail stationer of a great
portion of his profits. Mr. Hill had proposed that the
paper and the envelopes should be sold at the post-
offices and receiving-houses in various towns ; but in
making that proposition he seemed to have overlooked
the fact of depriving the trade of all benefit connected
with it. (Hear, hear.) The manufacture of en-
velopes, as was well known, gave employment
to a great number of ingenious persons, who exercised
their skill in producing them in great variety, but that
would be put an end to by the adoption of any one
particular envelope. With regard to the other plan of
allowing persons to send their own paper to he stamped,
that would be attended with much trouble and difficulty,
and its effect would be to oblige the retail stationer to
keep a reduced stock, and much fewer sorts of paper
than he did at present. A stationer whom he was ac-
quainted with at the present time, kept no less than
207 different sorts of letter paper, all of which, if
the plan he had just adverted to was put in
practice, he must keep stamped. The stationer
therefore would be reduced to this dilemma, that he
must either have an increased capital, or he must re-
duce the quantity of paper he kept, which would have
a most serious effect upon the quantity of paper sold.
He was a most strenuous advocate for a penny post,
but he was anxious, at the same time, that every person
should be allowed to write on any paper he might
choose. He thought, also, that parties should be allowed
to pay the postage of their letters, or that they should
be collected by the postman as was done at present.
Anything short of this would, in his opinion, materially
detract from the advantage proposed by the plan to the
public. He believed that the difficulties that at present
surrounded the plan might be easily removed by atten-
tion being paid to the subject : he should oppose any
plan that departed from the opinions he had ventured
to put forth. The Hon. Alderman concluded by
moving the second resolution.
Mr. Wiontazs, in seconding the resolution, addressed
the meeting as follows : I rise with pleasure to second
the resolution, as it gives me an opportunity of stating
a few plain reasons why we, as a body of persons engaged
as manufacturers and dealers in the article of paper,
dissent from the proposed penny postage. Not because
we don't like cheap postage. We have no objection
to that : but we do object to the proposed method of
carrying it into effect. There are two propositions-Ist,
the envelope. This we object to, because it would be
the greatest monopoly ever attempted in this country
at the expense of a large portion of industrious persons
who are employed in various ways in the trade, and
whose employment would immediately cease on the
adoption of -the envelope; and also because this enve-
lope may be made to answer the purpose of the letter
paper itself, thereby destroying one half of the trade of
the wholesale and retail stationer, so far as letter
paper is concerned ; and further, that by this operation
the Government will lose also the same proportion of
duty paid on letter paper. Now as regards the second
propositinn, namely, stamping every sheet of paper of
every size in use, this it surrounded with so many and
' so great difficulties that it would be impossible
to carry it into effect, except at the expense of the
sacrifice of a great part of the trade. There is a
most numerous class of useful, industrious per-
sons scattered all through the United Kingdom who
are now enabled by their business as stationers to
maintain themselves and families. If you take from
them that portion of their trade that consists in let-
ter-paper, you will then take from them just as much
as will prevent them from getting a living, they
having barely enough before. There is also anothe r
objection to this plan. The capital which it will be
found necessary for the carrying it out has been stated at
two millions, and this, Gentlemen, you will have to find,
Then there is the additional risk of bad debts and
shortened credit of the wholesale to the retail dealer,
which will operate much upon you. To carry one or
the other of these recommendations into operation would
cost the Government a very large sum, and for what ?
Why, the extinction of a very large portion of the trade
of the stationers. This would be one of the greatest
acts of injustice ever exercised by Any Government to-
wards any particular portion of its traders, and ought
not to be tolerated in a free country. Now, to obviate all
these objections and save the country from all additional
expense, you have your Post-office establishment i nfull
work and complete in all its departments, and if it should

be thought well to make this great experiment, let it be
done on the old principles of paying the pence on the
delivery of the letter, either at the time of putting it
into the office or on the delivery of the letter at its des-
tination, as may be thought most advisable ; and I am
quite sure the public will be satisfied with this plan as
the most simple and the less expensive that can be de-
vised, and it will not have the effect of deranging any
portion of public business or destroying private trade.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. ALLEN of Nottingham said he had been deputed
to attend the meeting by 16 or 17 stationers of that
town, and wished to address a few observations to the
meeting.

TheCHAIRNIAN said, as the resolution had been
passed he had better reserve himself till the next reso-
lution'catne under discussion.

Mr. PEWTRESS moved the next resolution. He was
sure he was merely repeating the sentiments of every
gentleman in the room when he said that, while pointing
out the defects in the proposed plan of penny postage,
they
itself.—(
not offering the slightest opposition to the
principle Hear, hear.) They were not attempt-
ing, either directly or indirectly, to throw any obstacles
in the way of what they felt to be a most useful and
important measure.—(Cheers.) It would be beneficial,
not only to the public but to their trade if carried into
operation upon sound and judicious principles. It
should not be forgotten that the paper-makers and sta-
tioners were better acquainted with the practical work-
ing of the details of the proposed measure than any
other body ; and it was but fair that their sentiments
should be placed before the public.—(Hear, hear.) Mr.'
P. then read the resolution which was to the effect that
the system of stamped envelopes would be highly prejudi-
cial to the paper makers and stationers, r•nd materially in-
jure their trade. There was a great variety in the
manyfacyre of letter papers, as had been already
stated to the meeting, and it would be necessary to
keep a supply of all these descriptions (amounting to
upwards of 200), stamped, in order to please the taste
of the public. They might infer from that what a vast
amount of capital it would- require to have a proper as-
sortment on hand. The stamp being three or four
times the value of the envelope there was very little
probability that the Government would give the sta-
tioners a proportionate profit upon it, and thus, while
they would be compelled to resort to a very heavy out-
lay of capital, they would be mere instruments to col-
lect the duty for the Government.—( Hear, hear.)
Again, there were a voet number of letters which would
be written upon the envelope itself, by which means a
great portion of the trade in letter paper would be en-
tirely put an end to. It appeared to him that all the
expensive additional machinery which 'the stamped
covers would require was totally unnecessary. A great
deal of stress had been laid upon the additional ex-
pense which that would entail, but if the mere
cost of conveyance only was taken into account, the
expense would be found very trifling. It was the ma-
chinery for the stamped envelopes (which he believed
would amount to 25 per cent. of the cost of convey-
ance) that was the just ground of objection to the plan
in some quarters, and one gentleman told him that it
was contemplated to erect as much machinery as would
fill Woolwich Dockyard for that purpose.—(Hear,
hear.) If the Chancellor of the Exchequer, instead of
the present complicated and expensive plan, had merely
proposed a reduction of the postage to one penny, leav-
ing to the public the option of paying in advance or
not as at present, it would have been much more univer-
sally approved of.—(Hear, and cheers.) It did not ap-
pear to be taken into account that great inconvenience
would result from these stamped covers when persons
were writing in a hurry and had them not at hand, or
when they lived in a remote part of the country where
a stationer's shop was not always at hand.—(Hear,
hear.) The worst possible step which any Government
could take was to interfere with the trade of any body
of men, or attempt to take it into their own hands.—
(Cheers.) He was satisfied that when these objec-
tions were made known to the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer he would at once abandon the plan of stamped
envelopes. Mr. P. concluded by moving the resolu-
tion.

Mr. GAUSSEN in seconding the resolution, said—
Gentlemen, we have met to-day to pass certain resolu-
tions upon a very important subject, it is threatened,
first, that the sale of all letter-paper shall pass into the
hands of the Government---(Hear, hear)—that is the
first threat which is held out, and I shall tell you the
evidence upon which it stands. But first of all, I would
remark, that it is so important as to bid fair to consign
the greater proportion of our trade, whether manufac-
turers, stationers, or even the more humble dealers in
paper, to inevitable bankruptcy. It is like the diversion
of a river from a man's estate who has a valuable fishery.
A storm comes one night, and away goes all the ordi-
nary limits to the element, the stream finds it way, and
forces itself an entirely new channel, as recently occurred
in Scotland ; and the patrician family. which resided
upon it soon, merged. But the case is far more im-
portant 'to- oqielves—this family merged as senators,
perhaps as men of fortune, into humble life, but are we
sure that all of our trade have prospered enough to live,
when the source of their precious existence is cut
cff. Gentlemen, you must see the case plainly
enough I trust. If the Government do sell the
paper used for letters at a penny per sheet,
for letters to pass then without paying postage, and if
they further refuse to let any letters whatever pass
through the Post-office, unless written upon their
stamped sheets, you must admit that you can have no
claim whatever of living by the sale of any paper sent
heretofore by the Post-office ; for it will be clear, first,
you cannot live if you sell sheets for a penny, having
bought them for a penny of the Goverment, and it is
clear you can buy no stamped sheets but of the Govern-
ment, as they will be the only persons who can stamp
the papers. It is equally clear then that you cannot
sell sheets unstamped, except as far as enclosures may
be required. That they would be required to some
extent I admit ; but then I am sure there is much de-
lusion on this subject. The promoters of the measure
tell you that the:covers will not be used, but then let us
ask ourselves what is the fact. How may letters are
written on the second side of a sheet ? Now, Gen-
tlemen, I ask this question, begging you to remember
that we know very well the letters of ladies, of society,
and of friendship, are of no consequence hardly in the
quantity of paper which is consumed. I speak of pro-
portion, and I say distinctly, that commerce, law, and
professional pursuits, consume the bulk of paper used—
and we know what such letters are, their brevity, that
they never turn the leaf scarcely, and that if they did
in the present case it would do little service, for I am now
going to introduce a most important matterto your notice,
You will remember, that commercial letters arc copied,
that they are all legal evidence, that they are written in
millions, copied and sent, and by law serve every pur-
pose for proof of facts when put into the post. Now re-
mark how this bears upon the subject—a letter written
now is folded and sent per post, and is conclusive, but an
envelope sold by the Government, if it is not actually
written upon, though put into the poet can prove
nothing.—(Cries of " Hear, hear," and loud cheers.)
When the case is considered, nothing can be more un-
reasonable than not to admit that the covers or enve-
lopes must be written upon, and if necessary, perhaps,
a little enclosure may be ventured of matter, as a mere
continuation of the subject of the letter ; no evidence
of a letter being sent is afforded, without it is in the
envelope. Ido say, then, it is clear that all letters sent
by post will be written on half sheets of envelopes. I
maintain that other letters, having enclosures, must be
the exception, very small in amount ; and that the con-
sumption of paper, for writing letters will manifestly be
much less than at present, even though the splendid
dreams of projectors be realized, and the numbers of
letters passing through the Post-office be rendered 500
million in lieu of 80 million, The arithmetic to show
the extent of this loss of trade is very easy—nine-tenths
of the letters must be written upon the stamped sheets,
and they will be sold by Government, not by the station-
ers. That, secondly, if the sheets were sold as proposed in
the first instance by the
Government to the stationers for
distribution to the public, it is clear no profit would re-
sult from it ; the stationers must sell these penny sheets
like bills or receipt stamps, and pretty nearly live, as
men say, by the loss. lam not speaking extravagantly,
but to men who know as well or better than I do,
stamps for bills are frequently sold without an iota of
profit. Is not that the fact, and if it is the fact is it not
conclusive to prove ruin?—(Hear, hear.) Now, then,
for the evidence that Government purpose to sell the
stamped paper, for I would show you will not even
have the option to sell these sheets without you ad.
vance a five-fold capital without profit to remunerate.
The Chancellor now states to the trade that they must
sendsaps
own paper to be stamped, but then what
Report
of
the Parliamentary Committee ?
They advise the Government to purchase a peculiar
paper, and to sell it by means of post offices, and all
distributors of stamps. Cruel as this process is, because
it is ruinous to an established trade, I must admit,
however, that the Parliamentary Committee recommend
only what is evidently the natural consequence, which
must flow from the wonderfully mystifying plan which
is said to afford economy and convenience, for it is at-
tempted to introduce another
follow that perplexity
necessary of life. Gen-
tlemen, if another necessary of lifewill
be introduced,
must it not immediatelyarise from it. Then clearly it'
these
all fcilure in this notable scheme,
about which I shall say much more presently, will not
suetappose thatted sheets are introduced, can you
be ascribed to want of publicity and distsihntien pf
stamped sheets—to want of encouragement to write
di-
rect and tilt forged—l ssy forced, distribution, advised
letters and of free supplies of paper. Then the

by this Committe, must take place. What can resist it ?
The recommendation is unqualified to force the use of
stamped sheets by every means. What can a humane
Chancellor of the Exchequer do ? Do not trust to
him. He cannot oppose the popular idea that stamped
sheets will aid the reduction of postage, and he cannot,
he dare not, oppose any thing which is stated, however
untruly, to give it entire success. I say, then, you must
consider, see, and state, that your trade will be lost.
It is plain you can do that. You come here to-day to
pass resolutions--to act and not to sleep—to commu-
nicate what you hear now upon the best information of
facts and consequences, and you are bound for your-
selves, your families, for truth's sake, and your country,
to state to every person you meet, that your stream of
support in life is gone if you do not support the em-
bankments. If you were to sell ali the stamped sheets,
you would speedily fail by the loss, for the profit, as the
resolution states, would never be adequate ; while the
capital required would be enormous as we state from
14 to 60 per cent. in advance. Newspaper stamps, and
bill stamps surely speak enough to those who have been
engaged in them, and then let others who are. more
fortunate use the means they have to stand agentst an
universal ruin.—( Hear, hear.) The two great points,
loss of trade, and the lesser, perhaps I should say, of
loss of profit upon any stamps you may be liable to sell,
I presume are fully established ; and I trust you arc
fully determined to stand together, to uphold one ano-
ther, and to speak to every man and every member
in particular, to disabuse his ear, and show him what I
do believe he is entirely uninformed on. I say this
with the utmost respect, and without surprise—
for the trade themselves have been backward, and I had
no idea of the facts or consequences until I had the
pleasure to come here, and the honour to be appointed
a Member of this Committee, and was then informed
upon the subject. Now, Gentlemen, if information has
grown so much in two days, during which we have met
together, it is quite clear you can communicate it
equally to others—you can hear from your neighbours,
and from little parties, to procure interviews and
afford explanations of the evils besetting the trade.
But, Gentlemen, I have not yet commenced the state-
ment of our case. I have not said a word how the
matter stands upon which we have met to-day. I have
very faintly, and very cautiously touched upon the im-
portance of the subject only, but then remember I
have not by any means expressed the extent, and the
certainty of the evil, as I ought and would have
done if I dared to go more freely into it.
You must go more largely into the subject, and con-
sider the matter well, but remember the Parliamentary
Committee decidedly point out different plans to force
a supply of the stamped sheets on the lowest terms,
as nearly approaching to a penny as possible, and
oftentimes at a penny. Yes, I say at a penny univer-
sally. The case stands, I must say, most dangerously
for all—it is a case of ruin to many ; but then I must
say, too, it is our faults only, if the danger is not com-
pletely turned aside. Upon looking at it a little more
closely than I' could do at the first moment, I do
certainly perceive that mystery gives the whole of the
strength to the plan for which our opponents contend
—unravel the mystery, and the plan is lost.
—(Hear, hear, hear.) The Parliamentary Committee
recommend the adoption of a paper for envelope,
consisting of a quarter of a folio sheet of paper,
but perhaps I should receive correction on this point.
They recommend that the question of what stamp
should be used, be referred to Mr. Wood, the Inspector
of the Stamp-office, and they state that his opinion
should be final. They laud him, as 1 have no doubt
he deserves, and they examine his opinion, and they
approve it. They then publish the testimony of this
gentleman, Mr. Wood, and of his Secretary, support-
ing and praising the paper alluded to, " as the only
paper which could prevent forgery." This must
serve to show what was desired, and peculiar
skill, I may add, in recommending covertly for
effect; and we cannot doubt that the Right Hon.
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, fully comprehended
the desire, because he did at once denounce with his
well known reputation for humanity, the cruel recom-
mendation, and the monopoly which would have been
established. However, I must admit that, speaking
in a financial view, another more powerful reason must
exist. The cost of this paper would have formed a charge
of 83- percent. or one-twelfth of the gross receipts of the
revenue of the post-office, say 240,0001. to 360,0001.
per annum. Now, certainly, before a red coat was
mounted, or one mail horsed, a Chancellor might well
doubt the future savings or economy of a new plan
when he must begin by paying 240,0001. to 360,0001.
before any saving or any revenue at all could begin to
be received, but on loan from his victims the poor
traders in paper. This might be reason enough, and
surely it ought to be, but we have still a better reason,
Gentlemen—a moral reason—one founded on truth
and judgment, and it is pronounced by a person of
no less distinction than , the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer. He says distinctly he never will give such an
extensive order to any individual. .Surely, therefore,
we may be well assured that the manufacture of
stamped covers, so cruelly recommended to be made by
one individual, can never be thought of while the world
stands. Moral views do not vary, and I presume in
any thing we are safe, our reason for safety need only
to be made known to be perfect, as far as this scheme
recommended was concerned. I trust it then in your
hands that one-twelfth of the gross revenues are demanded
to produce economy before a red coat is mounted.
A gross monopoly is refused, which is a moral reason, and
that can never be changed as regards this plan.—( Hear.)
Feeling safe thus far, I must say, that if our case is made
known, it will be clear that we ought not to be in much
danger about the next plan, that actually adopted I may
say, and for which the Right Hon. Chancellor of the
Exchequer will certainly have an Act, with full powers
to enforce, in a few days. I refer to the stamping
of sheets, paper being sent by the stationers to
the Stamp-office, and I urge that the Parliamentary
Committee, of which I have said so much, re-
specting the first plan, which they did really most
wilfully recommend, were forced into the dilemma
of so recommending, by the evidence offered respecting
fraud and other difficulties. If that had not been the
fact, you can hardly suppose, nor would any man sup-
pose, that they would prefer a scheme costing one-
twelfth part of the gross receipt of the Post-
office, while the scheme now adopted of making
the traders in paper a species of cat's paw, if I may use
the expression, to pay the expenses, and supply the
paper stamped, which they are also to distribute, to save
the Post-office some expenses of detail, would have been
preferred. What plan the Right Hon. the Chancellor
of the Exchequer may have to meet this fraud which
must occur, I know not ; but this I know, he is very
wise if he has a plan, not to waste 240,0001. to 360,0001.,
and he is very shrewd to see the penny postage, for
which he obtains credit, will throw an advance of reve-
nue into his hands, amounting to a million at least out
of the trader's pocket and those of the public. He is
wise to perceive that the stationers will be burdened
to distribute about the country this paper—that
much must be wasted—and other expenses will
be foisted upon the trade and the public, which can
create no economy and no inconvenience, though it may
save a miserable pittance perhaps from the expenses of
the Post-office for details.—(Hear.) I argue, I think
not unfairly, that there is vast injustice in thus foisting
expenses, &c., upon a trader, and that the Parliamentary
Committee, if they are at all consistent, are pledged
by the recommendation they have given, not to allow
paper to be stamped in the manner now proposed. How
can they excuse themselves for not having preferred the
plan of the Chancellor, instead of one so much more ex-
pensive, while it was so oppressive, if the plan now pro-
posed could be effectual or reasonable. But the case by
no means rests here—the Parliamentary Committee
conclude their Report by stating that they have desired
" economy and the convenience" of the public. Now upon
their own grounds lam ready to meet them. I would
rest your case, through the consideration, information,
and which my excellent colleagues afforded me upon
this fact of" convenience and economy." Let the ques-
tion stand upon its merits ; I urge, as an abstract truth,
which is undeniable, that the introduction of anything
to procure payment for an article at another
place, must increase expense and prevent convenience.
Let the thing intermediate be ever so small to be done,
can it be maintained that it must conduce to economy
and convenience ? Suppose Mr. Lemann said, " I never
will receive any money—my banker shall do it. My
customers shall pay their money to him, they shall take
slips of paper to my banker, who shall mark them,
according to the money he receives, and the customer
must then produce the paper or stamp at my shops, and
he shall have his biscuits." The cases are precisely
analogous. It i 3 quite true that Mr. Lemann would
save expenses, but could it be true that the banker and
the customer together did not bear much more expense
and inconvenience than Mr. Lemann would have saved,
and more than he could have been called upon
to defray had he received the money without
introducing anything intermediate—to promote conve-
nience and economy ? I say to himself, and not for the
public, but the very reverse. The Post-office stamps
can only make a cat's-paw of the trade to save itself.
Again, can it be doubted that 1,000 letters and the
1,000 pence might be received at an expence of is., and
if that be the case, Is. is the precise charge merely for
stamping 1,000 pieces of paper. and the whole statement
of previous payment in money being an expense, fails at
once. All recommend previous payment ; that case Is
made out, though it presents objections, but the use of
stamps'-intervention to produce economy and corconveni-
ence is a mere mystification you must be convinced.
This miserable pittance of Is. per 1,000 for stamping, the
Government purpose topay, and what can be gained then