Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-02-07


Postage Reform, and The General Post
Office We almost despair OF seeing any re-
form, al present. in the rates of postage. The
people had so unanimously favored the propos-
ed reduction, that we expected President Van
Buren,, would, in his message 10 Congress, re-
commend the proposed reform. Had the Pres
deni called the attention Of Congress to the
subject, II would have been referred TO the APP
propriate committee, and we might have had
some action upon it during The present session.
But the message is silent upon the subject
The Sub Treasury absorbs all the attention OF
Mr. Van Buren, and he could not even find
corner in his message TO recommend what the
people desire. The Post Master General,
whose especial duty it was TO propose the de-
sired reform, treats il very indiiIerenily. The
subject has been discussed so much that we
expected Mr. Kendall, in his report, would at
eas, give US his views upon il. But he gives
US only a closing paragraph, indifferent in
spirit-a mere go-by. The Post Master Gem
eral proposes noihing-suggesis nothing that
the people desire. He informs us that he has
sent a special Agent to Europe to see some.
thing about post Office matters. We can see
ne need OF going to this expense, unless IL is to
make fat job for some political favori,e, TO
reward him for fighting Sub Treasury battles.
Could not all necessary information been OBJ
iained without this expense We should
think the books and documents of the English
Post Office would furnish every needed infor-
alton. Our ambassador at the court of ST.
James, could easily furnish the Post Mas
ter General with all neededcx,rac,s from them,
and the reports Of the Department Does Mr.
Kendall wish TO ascertain whether the reduc-
lion adopted in England, increases or dimin-
shes the revenue. Al present nothing definite
can be ascertained on this point. We must
wait years before we can ascertain any thing
upon this point, that will be Of use TO this
country.
We need a reform in the abuses OF the frank
ing pr-iriiege. We can see no good reason
why those who are abundaBtly able 10 pay
their postage bills should be exempted, and the
burden fall upon those who are least able TO
bear il. A poor man must pay heavy post
age, while thousands Of the wealthy are ex-
empied because they hold certain offices. Our
opinion is, that these things ought not SO to
be. And the party that now has majority in
our national councils, il they would act up
TO their professions would abolish this 'excIu-
siye privilege
The Post Master General has a good deal
Of difficulty with the Steamboat and Railroad
companies. They often demand exorbiIant
prices. But in such cases let the mail be car
ried in the old way, until they will come 10
terms. Mr. Kendall thinks the department
ought TO be authorized 10 establish lines Of
steamboats,, in cases where The existing lines
will not transpor, The mail for a reasonable
compensation. But we differ from him al
together. We think that Congress ought not
10 furnish the Post Office Department with
money to establish lines Of passenger and
general freight boats, 10 run down other lines
This would be establishing real government
monopoly We wonder that men who quake
and tremble at the very name of monopoly,
and endeavor 10 fix a stigma upoo every asso-
icalion Of men, who, under corporate powers
unite for the transaction of business, should in
all their recommendations in relation TO gov
ernment affairs, be endeavoring to consolidate
power in the hands OF the general government
The proposed plan Of establishing steamboat
lines would be productive Of much more evil
than good. As much as we rejoice al the speed
with which UncleSam carries the mail in
the velocity which steam has added to the
mail bag,-we infinitely prefer that il should
be transported in the old way, than that our
government should pursue the plan proposed
We think if the department should offer fair
compensation for carrying the mail, aud il no
one saw iii to accept Of the offer, transport it in
coaches until some boat will undertake il upon
reasonable terms. The natural competition be-
tween different lines, would in most cases in
duce the proprietors Of boats 10 contract upon
as low terms as could be afforded. AT any
rate we have no wish 10 see our lakes and rv-
ers filled with government boais--for the mere
purpose of transporting the mail
Nor TO BE ENvIED.-We frequently hear
plain republicans complaining Of their hard lot,
and wishing they might enjoy the riches Of
some of the eastern princes. Republicans
II