The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-04-05


ed have been enclosed to individuals at distance,
who have openly boosted their correspondence was
free Of charge. The limitation as 10 weight is now
extended, we believe, 10 two ounces. But what
OF that, II a mnn may send under his frank thou
sand of these two ounce packages7 The limitation
should hc To The total weight included in any sin
pIe mail whether the packages be few or many.
The report ofthe Postmaster General, at a formeF
session states tho astounding fact that OF the whole
amount transported IN the mails nanty toe per cent.
goes free OF all duty, and letters OF business and
private correspondence have to deiray the cxpen
SEES oc the whole IL is monstrous. and calls loudly
for some vision to equalize the charge. The
present postage on letters is enormously highIp
proportion to tho other business OF the county,
If you will refuse 10 carry those packages, which
are now transmitted by mail, SIMPLY because, III
that mode, they can truve FREQ Of cost, you Will
greatly relieve the business interests Of the
try, which now bear nearly the whole burden for
all the This it Is your duty To Let JUS
throw, al least, fair portion Of the bsrden 90
those who receive, at present, nearly the whole
of the benefit. Again. The law is very loose 81
uncertain as TO the estimation OF distances. Since
tho introduction OF steam travel the distance travel
ed has in many been increased. while the
limo consumed has been shortened, Take, as au
illustration, a case al hand The nearest dis
lance from here Frederick City, in Mary land, Is
forty four miles; but f you go hence depot the
Baltimore road, and thence take the iraiD to Fred
erick you arrive sooner, but the distance increas
ed 10 one hundred miles. Now, as letters are
charged according to the miles Travelled, hold il
very wrong TO subject letter to this more than
double charge in consequence Of adopting longer
route in distance, though shorter IN time. Such
cases ought to prov ided against by specific rules
| come now to The last resolution offered; which
| is as follows af.ay
Resolved, That the Secretaries Of State, of tho
Treasury of War,and Of the Navy Departmental
tie Postmaster General, be severay directed az
soon as practcabe to report what offences can be
abolished, and what relrenchments of public ex
! pendure can be made without public deiriment,
in the respective branches Of the public service Yin
der their charge. .:seH
| We all know that, if the heads of Departments
will not GO to work with us honestly and faith
fully in truth and sincerely Congress thus unaided,
can effect comparatively but little hope they
will enter with us This good work of retrench
ment and reform | shall be the last TO express in
advance any dslrust OF their uprgt intentions in
this respect. The only thing that alarms is that
two OF these departments have come 10 us asking
for appropriations far hey ond any that have here
tofore been demanded in time of peace, and that
| with full knowledge of The fact OF an empty Trea
sury. But still hope, when they shall see Con.
gross heartily, in earnest engaged in retrenchng
useless expenditure, and reducing estimates that
cannot be complied with, that they will boldly
lot ing GU, to view all abuses which exist in their
several speIes Of aLiion, and let apply the pru-
ntng ki.i:e reduce the naiionai expenditure
within some proper aud reasonable amount AT
all events, fhev are, of COURSE most familiar with
the details of The subject as relates 10 their sever
al branches vi the Admin s.ration. Among other
items there several useless minis which only
operate 10 waste The public money. A friend occu
pied III investigating ms subject has told me mat
! the mint in New Orleans has already cost the
Try half q million of dollars for getting ready
coin bullion not We, dug out of the mine!
Mr. Berrien here spoke across something no:
heard 10y the Reporter in relation to tho mint NJ
Dahlonega (which excited much n,ir:h in the neigh
boring part Of the Chamber.
Willie every piece OF coin made by these useless
esabli sbments could just as well be coined by the
central mint at Philadelphia.
And now, having gone through with all the de
iaI's OF this series Of resolutions, which | thought
it my duty TO notice, allow me, in drawing to
conclusion Of these remarks to present some OF the
! advantages which it appears 10 me should urge 10
adopt the system OF financial arrangement con,cm
! plated in The resolutions.
| And, first. The Government WILL in this way,
secure TO itself an adequate amount of revenue,
without being obliged TO depend on temporary and
and disreputabe expedients and thus preserve the
public credit unsulied-which deem great ad.
vantage of the plan. Credit ia of incalcuable val
ue whether To nation or an individual. England,
proud England, country with which we may
Que day again como in confiict-though 1t gives
me pleasure 10 say that cannot perceive al pres
ent the least speck Of war in the political horizon
--owes her greatness, her vaslness Of power, per
vading the habable globe mainly TO her strict and
uniform attention 10 the preservation OF the Nation
al credit
! 9. The next thing recommended is retrenchment
| IN educational expenditure, and greater economy in
the Admin istration Of the Government. And do
not owe it 10 this bleeding conntIy,to ourselves
[ and tho unparalleled condition of the times, 30 ex
hibit to the world fixed. resoute, and patriotic
purpose TO reduce the public expenditure 10 an eco
nomica standard
3. But much more iinnortaut advantage than
either of those have yet adverled To is TO he found
in The check which the adoption of this plan will
impose on the cffux of the precious metals from
this Country to foreign countries. shall not now
20 into the causes by which this Country has been
brought down from the elevated condition fpros
pcrity il enjoyed TO is present state of gencr
al embarrassment and distress. think that those
| causes are MS distinctly in my understanding and
memory any subjects were ever mlressed there;
but have no desire TO go into discussion which
may revive The remembrance Of unpleasant topics.
NY purpose, my fixed purpose on this occasion has
been TO appeal TO air gentlemen ON nil political
sides of this Chamber 10 come out and make sac
rifice Of all lesser differences in patriotic, gener
Gus and general effort for the relief Of their Coun
| try. shall not open those bleeding wounds which
have, in many instances been inflicted by broth
ers hands especially will moi do at this lime
and on this occasion. shall look merely at facts
at facts they i shall rot ask what have
been the remote causes of tho depression and
Indebtedness of our once glorious md happy
county. | will turn my only causes
,yI,i ch ind nd innn