Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-18
Correspondence OF the Baltimore Patriot.
WAsHTSGToN, June Il, Is



Mr. MERRICK, Of Maryland. Chairman Of the
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, has
ported bill which contemplates many reforms in
the Post Office Department in all OF It's branches.
The people materially interested IN one branch
of the subject, and l. therefore, condense ono two
sections OF il for the benefit OF the readers of the Pa
triot. Some of the provisions OF the bill seem to me
to bc wholly impracticabe, and particularly the Sc
cond section.
The first section declares that the rates Of postage
shall be as follows:
LETTERS.
That the following shall he the rates Of postage
charged in future upon all letters and packets lex
cept such may be exempted by law) conveyed
in the mail ofthe United States, viz: For every let
ter composed OF n single sheet Of paper, conveyed
not exceeding thirty miles, i've cents; over thirty,
and not exceeding one hundred and fifty miles, ten
cents over one hundred and fifty, and not exceed
ing four hundred miles, twenty cents; over four
hundred miles, twenty-five and for every double
letter, or letter composed of two pieces of paper,
double those rates; and for every triple letter, o.
letter composed OF three pieces OF paper, triple those
rates; and every packet composed OF four more
pieces OF paper, one or more other articles, and
weighing one ounce avoirdupols, quadruple those
rates; and in that proportion for all greater weights
and all way newspapers and pamphlets shall, in fu
ture he objected 10 the rates OF postage charged
upon other similar newspapers and pamphlets
NEWSPAPERS.
nc SfNn0u bCCkOO IL euall &c inc uukY
of the editors and publishers Of newspapers and
periodicals, TO keep register of all papers and
periodicals. sent Ivy mail, according 10 q form to be
furnished by the Department, noting the day when
sent, the Office where deposited, and the post Office
where sent, which they shall certify and return
quarterly TO the General Post Office Department
which statement and return shall be the authority
--h~s~h. 'IA DEPARTMENT shall charge the pOstmas
master General is hereby authorized in case of tho
neglect or refusal OF any editor or publisher Of a
~ fltrnl rs,,rs
make the quarterly return nbOve mentioned, TO pro
hi6lt the transmission, through the mail, OF any
newspaper or periodical for which such return sla H
not have been made, and TO continue such prohibi-
ton until such return shall lie duly made according
TO the requirements of this law.
The third section says that after the 30lh OF Sep
TENDER, 1912, there shall be PAID upOn newspapers
and periodicals. mailed and sent to subscribers i'm
lieu OF the postage now paid by law, the following
rates OF postage, viz; upon all newspapers contain.
ing not more than square inches, the same rate
Of postage fired by the thireth section of the net
approved Sd Of March, 1875, entitled An act to
reduce into the several acts for establishing and
regulating the Post Office Department." and upon
all newspapers Of greater size than square
inches, there shall be imposed additional postage
Of one cent for every FIVE square inches over and
above the said number OF inches.
The fourth section limits the Thanking privilege
to the President OF the United States tho Vice Pre-
sldent OF the u States, the Presidents OF the IT,
States, or the widow Of any eX President, and the
Secretaries OF State of the Treasury Of War. OF the
Navy, and the Postmaster General. All officers of
the Government heretofore having the frankins pri.
VEege are 10 keep an account Of all postage charged
and payable upon letters, packages or other matters
received through the mail by such officers, respec-
lively, touching the duties or business Of their re
spectve oihces, and these accounts Tor postage are 10
be allowed, and paid quarter yearly out Of the con.
ungent iund Oi the bureau or Department.
All public documents printed 10y order Of either
House o Congress, may be Transmitted through the
maj, ireo OF postage, to any par, Of the u States
IN the same manner as - provided for and autho.
Tlzed ny the now existing laws on that subject
The other sections limit the ranking privilege 10
members m a manner which shall require a more
exact use OF the same than is now tolerated and
praotiscd.
The ninth section prohibits tbs transmission Of
letters 10y stages, railroad cars, packet boats, or
oher vehicle or vessel, except those 10 the employ
Of the Government
the tenth section prohibits private expresses.
The eleventh section Is important, taken in con-
aociion win tho present arrangement OF the British
Government for the transmission OF letters on our
own coast, 10 ond from our cities. II provides that
no ioregn ship, steamship, vessel Of any kind or
description whatever, sailing navigating from one
port or place in the United States to any other mort
or place within said States nor any person attach
ed to or being part Of the crew Of uny such shin
or vessel shall receive on board 10 10 tfansoorted
or conveyed, nor transport or convey. from one
port or place within the United Suites 10 any other
port or place within the said States any letter or
Iotteis whatever, except only such letters ns may
relate 10 some part Of the cargo Of such shin or
other vessel; nor shall any such foreign shin n,
vessel receive on board passenger any psrsor
% persons employed a special agent, or express.
for transporting or conveying letters from one port
oil the United States TO another and every such shin
steamship, or other vessel, which shall DC guilty Of
any inirnctiOn Of this Inv, or on board OF which
any Of the aioregong provisions shall be violated,
with the knowledge or c0nnivsnce OF tho captain.
or other officer having charge Of such vessel, shall
forfeit and pay the sum Of five hundred dollars: Tor
the recovery OF which, such ship, steamship, or
other vessel, shall he liable 10 he proceeded agains,
in any court Of the United States, in the same
manner as such ship, steamship, or other vessel
might or would he proceeded against for a penalty
incurred by violation Of the maritime laws Of the
United States.
There are some other little matters connected
with the bin, but the important provisions are all
contained above. w
Ff1mtho Kanswis Republican
I.urf 81