Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-03
RIcHMoMn, JUNE 3, 1925.
POST CFFfCN EXpERIMENT

.
We have net the slightest disposition to carp or
.cavil at the arrangements of the present Post
Master General We have experienced from him
certain courtesies IA the line of mis- official duties
which we have.lo desire to acknowledge by re
criminaicE or Opposition. But as il is our rule
10 treat all Officers without fear, favor or affec-
vtonS'' We have thrown open columns to stri =
torres on hi. DepartIncnt-and shall take the liber-
" 81 making such we deem necessary, oursev es
an q Gecest and respectful manner.
We submit the new experiment which Mr. Nc
Lean is about to make, according to the versions of
the two newspapers from which we extract the
following paragraphs:
Mr. Mclean the Postmaster General ha, just added snoth-
discharge ofthe dwes of hi, Department We are informed
that be has gsen notice to the mail place
,hat he will shortly make their Duty occasions of great
Importance 10 the commercial Community, send express
mails their lines at the of miles hour and thus by
adordinS TO all the important changes IN the markets. put
stop the system Of speculation which has lately been so x
tenly Praeueedb by individuals Of commercial town.
to'e OF anUthsf, vino were not possessed of the
The above the FIRST public have seen Of an exper
iment wichwe knew To- agitation the Ge"era Post Of
fee the whole credit of the which, whether
rted not justly due to the Pos; Master General WISH
ing for all possible success and giving its author the cred
justly due to his motivr we have doubt whether
Post Office ysien We have made greater innovations than
may be added t. the number which are, COVE,
already in successful experiment Nat. Int.
The first impulse which sezes every liberal man
on learning this new enterprise, is respect for the
motives which dictated il. Mr.. Mclean wishes
20 arrest that rage for speculation which prevails
among our countrymen-to place the large mass of
dealers and producers the same footing with the
better informed merchants--and to distribute more
equally through society the advantages of rise in
the markets.
But, if in any one case, it should be productive
ofths ad, anlaee, will it not lie ceunerbalan ed
by very serious objections: Would it not for in
stance, be calculated to damp in degree the ar
dour of mercantile enterprize, by placing all upon
the same footing; those, who disposed to make
the most judicious arrangements and to incur the
heaviest in receiving the earliest and most
correct intelligence, and those who are less vigil
liant in their calling, and more economical in their
arrangements? Is this minute interference with the
private relations of men compatible with the gene
raj duties OF government; more especially of gov
eminent limited in its jurisdiction that of the
u. s.? If the p. VI. General attempts to play the
part OF guardian over the purses oil the distant
merchant, or the distant producer, where will the
government stop lis surveillance? Will il guard
also our habits and diet !-This is on the sup
position, too, that the Postmaster General can do
what he Processes TO undertake-But can he do il ,
How are his Deputies to acquire this favored
secret information, which he wishes to circulate ;
WIN he go still farther; open extensive cores
pondence with distant Countries establish agents 10
collect information, express packets TO transmit TO
our ports, and then send off his expresses thro' the
Union! Otherwise, how are his deputies TO OBJ
tain 1t! For surely the favored merchant at New
York, who receives it from his agent abroad will
not go directly to the p. Master with his budget and
enablehim TO battle his speculations Again:
1t the New York Merchant sends off his xpress
he will prey with greater facility upon the people !;
for, the good people, reposing their confidence in
the vigilance OF the Postmaster General, will fold
their arms In greater security, and will say TO
themselves w mi Sate w sell To bi 10
he Is no wiser than are for if there be any thing
stirring, we too should have had it by our public
express.' But again:
If this scheme shall protect the mass of the
merchants and traders in great cities, from the
speculations of the more knowing ones and Sx-
tend its advantages TO the inhabitants who reside
on the post roads along which these are 10
travel, what, we ask, TO protect the inhabitants
IN the interior OF the country, and on the small cross
mail routes! Is 1t contemplated that all the mails
throughout the Union, are TO move at the rate of
ii miles per hour on the receipt of important in
elligence! If not, will the operation of the scheme
be equal? What benefit will the planters and
farmers in the country derive from iii For example
suppose an arrival at New York furnishes intelli-
gcnce OF great rise of bread sluffs in Europe from
the failure OF crops, from war or any othercause:
this information is brought to Richmond at the rate
OF miles per hour; the consequence will be that
the people throughout the interior counties will
as many merchants here as can start their own
expresses. AT present they are exposed to an
evil less general in its operation Mr. Nc
Leans plan viii possess the editors of news
papers with the information early enough to pre-
vent any mischief by its circulation ii our papers
could go OIL Immediately, and travel rs fast as an
express from a merchant But the country mails
are weekly, and it would be sheer accident if The
news arrived just in time to be sent off with them
II not, the papers containing them would remain
In the Printers Office, and not get to hand until
some enterprIsing merchant had bought up all the
farmers wheat.
But again, take this other Suppose the p
Master at N. York, any other seaport town
should enormously think he had got scent Of some
great newsstand not being accustomed TO weigh The
force ofevidence to the turns of the markets should
start of his expresses. and raise the price of the
markets: what then? Who is 20 indemnify the sul-
erng purchasers for the losses they have sstained
Shall they put in force against the p NJ our
statute against the diuuigers of false news, s. &c
View this subject in what light you please, il
presents serious objections along with any casual
advantages it may produce RI the rapdity of oil
the mails is to be increased the expense will be great
And unless the Posmasters and contractors be in
Iructed to all the classes Of intelligence to be
thus rapidly disseminated we shall see these move
NESTS commencing first at one sea seport and then
at another, and according to the estimation which
&his or that agent may place on the intelligence
received.
No one would be more grateful to the Post Mas
Ter General than ourselves, foE any new facility in
the diffusion of intelligence. Let him accelerate
the mail as3sst as he cau--that is a legitimate OBJ
Ject--t extends 70 all classes OF the people-it
helps all; 1t processes to guard no one against the
other--let him mount the mail on Steam Carriages
or in balloons But we should wish every plan to