The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-22

enabled 10 decide whether the letter is legally and
properly entitled to go free The postage on letters
received by members of Congress might be paid IRON
the contingent fund of the two Houses and on those
sent by them during the session, limited to CERTAIN ~
number daily; such limited number per Gay, SUM
cient for their official correspondence mgh' DC Pel
mitted to 60 free of postage and Pupic uoeune",
uinted by the order Of either House Of Congress- 70
nossess the privilege they do, when sent by
member with his certificate that they were puohc 10
cumetns. -,
Such modification Of their privileges would re-
lieve members of Congress from much correspondence
yery burdensome to Them and, in general, OF very
little public utility II would tend TO arrest The con-
centration at the seat of Government OF those innu
ences which, for some time past, appears 10 nave u
rected and controlled the politics OF the country anu
10 add to that stimulus which aggravates political eA
elements The unlimited extent of the iranking
privilege is among the which have produced the
Capitalization of political influence by enabling 10
exert its power, with view to a definite purpose, over
the country.
the expense of transportation and on many routes 70
substitute lower and cheaper grade OF service, as
wagon, sulkey, or horse, In the place oil Stage OF
coach service.
The effect of equalizng and raising the postage on
newspapers and other printed matter, would DC 70 VI
minish the bulk and weight of the mails, and increase
that branch of the revenue about one hundred per
cent. I,
The revision of the tariff of letter postage on the
basis Of reduction of twenty-five per cent, would
increase correspondence yet add little to the bulk OF
weight OF the mails and the postage on the additional
letters conveyed would supply, in part the loss OF the
revenue from the reduction on the rates.
The effect of the whole would be to tighten the
mails and render their bulk and weight more UNI
form; cheaper the transportation and secure more
regularity in the service; and, by reducing the tax on
correspondence, relieve the commercial interest," anu
benefit the whole community
The tariff Of postage on newspapers, periodicals,
and pamphlets is almost unequal and UNJUST as tne
comparative rates of postage upon letters and printed
matter This inequality and injustice have arisen
from the great changes which have taken place in the
manufacture of paper whereby the former distinction
as to dimensions have been lost and corresponding
change in the forms of publications introduced
All newspapers now pay the same postage, although
some are ten times the dimensions and weight OF
others This is not only unjust to those who pay the
tax but equally to the publishers. Il gives an I'M
due advantage TO the large establishments IN the
commercial cities over the penny papers when are
more removed from sinister Influences and, IN general
are the most independent channels OF sound puolic
opinion There seems no good reason for the dlhe-
in postage between periodical and non-perodcai
pamphlets, and the Distinction IN fact, Is often dih
cult TO determine. By the present law all printed
matter except newspapers is taxed by the sheet ana
from the change in the forms of publications, the pos
tage is not and cannot be collected with any unior-
nifty from the difficulty experienced by posmasters IN
chasing the various publications. Sixteen pages OF
octave constitute sheet and twenty four duodeci-
mo- although it is often impracucable to distinguish
between them.
To remove all these difficulties and establish uni
form rate of postage printed matter the best rule
would be to tax it by weight But ifthere should be
objections to great change newspapers could be
divided into three classes according TO their dimen-
sons the plan recommended by the late Postmaster
General in his annual report in 1886 To tax other
printed by weight, it is believed, there can be
objection Whether the other more important re-
forms which have been recommended be effected or
not, the tariff postage on newspapers and printed
matter urgently demands a radical revision The ad-
the postage Of newspapers and other printed
matter, although regarded eminentiy just, is not
deemed indispensable to the object in view; revi-
sion and equalization of the tariff, taking common
sized newspaper Of $50 square inches the basis,
would make large addition TO this branch Of the re-
venue ofthe Department.
The tariff of letter postage proposed in the resolu-
ton OF the House of Representatives would occasion
reduction in that branch of the revenue without ree
TO the increase Of letters of from twenty TWEEN
ty-fye per cent. This reduction therefore, would
amount to about 5000 900 The increase of revenue,
from the modification and restriction of the ranking
privilege, may be estimated at $3.50 600; and that
from increase of correspondence an equal sum The
saving In the transportation cannot well be estimated
but it would no doubt amount to several hundred
thousand dollars The increase of gross revenue from
hostages on newspapers and other printed matter with
the advance the postage proposed would probably
amount TO 100000. Without the advance the revi-
sion and equalization might be estimated to produce
halfthat sum
These changes in the establishment could therefore
be made not only with safety to its finances, but they
could hardly fail in placing them in hourishing
condition,
The full benefits of these improvements could not
be realized under four years that period being requ
site to enable all the contracts to be made with refer
ence to them
1t may be deemed an inausplcous time when the
finances of the Departments low revise the ia
riff Of hostages the basis of reduction Ii is be-
lieved however that it can be most safely and judi
cously done at such period If attempted when the
revenue is rapidly increasing, the tariff would I'M
avoidably be in some degree based state of
which would be found to be only temporary. But
from the present condition of the finances it would be
necessary to postpone the reduced tariff of letter
until the LIST of July, 1912 And by other changes
taking effect Immediately, less retrenchments would
be required and the finances Of the Department placed
IN prosperous condition at the period the new tariff
was to 90 into operation.
The changes in the system, when their benefits
shall have been fully realized with such improvements
would naturally suggest themselves it is confident
ly believed, will admit of still further reduction OF
he rates OF letter postage and ultimately bring them
down to fifty per cent.
The great inconvenience in the transaction of its
business to which, for several years this Department
has been subjected for the want of public building
adapted to its uses and the constant exposure OF ITS
books and papers will soon be removed by the com
plenon of the building now erecting for it. have
adopted such measures within my control TO
protect the present building and public property from
fire The building erecting for the Post Office
Department the contractors do not obtain from Con
gress further extension of the time for the perform
of their contracts will be fit for occupation in the
of the ensuing autumn.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JOHN NJ. NILES.