The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-17
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. RAIL
ROADS -PROPOSED REDUCTION OF
LETTER POSTAGE RE. ORG ANIMATION
OF fHE SYSTEM OF NEW SP APER POST

ROADS -PROPOSED REDUCE ZION OF
LETTER POS rAGE-. RE. ORG ANIMATION
OF rHE SYSTEM OF NEW sPAPER POST
AGE.
We give below the bill from the Committee
on the Post Office and Post Roads, which was
reported in the House on the 9Th inst-read
first and second time, and lies on the Speakers
table. The letter of the Postmaster General TO
the Chairman Of the Committee and the draft
Of two bills (not yet reportcd) on the subject of
letter and newspaper postage, have also been
kindly furnished US, and will doubtless attract
the attention Of the press and che country
The recommendations Of the Postmaster
General we conceive to be just and salutary.
The great mass of the People Especially the
poor will realize singular benefit and conve-
nience growing out of the reduction Of letter
postage, while, at the same time, (if the expe
riense of other countries may be taken as
test, the amount of revenue flowing into the
Treasury from this source will be Increased
AS TO the enormous burden imposed on the
Department, by the transmission of 'quadrupe
mammoth sheets weighing each pound, and
collectively numbering the mails with uncounted
tons, for purposes oil sale by booksellers and
other agents, there can be no hesitation in any
disinterested mind as to the necessity Of the re-
medy. The proprietors of these sheets may
and wW object to the proposed measure: but The
Postmaster General merely discharges high
and solemn duty TO his country by vindcating
the true interests Of the many
= A BILL
To authorize the Postmaster General to make
tracts with railroad companies for transporting the
mail of the United States subject to the approval IF
Congress.
Bel enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatipeS of the United States of America in Con-
gress assembled That the Posn GeneI al is here
by authorized to contract in the United States
W tn any railroad company now in operation, and with
may om time to time be put in operation
hereafter within the United States the Territories
thereof for the transport alton of the mail of the Unit
ed States during the continuance of the charters of
the respective companies !; and the said Postmaster
General may stipua,e in said contracts, for the pay
ment OF sum of money, In gross, by the United
5 ates to said companies, either in money or in the
bonds of the United States bearing five pei cent. in
crest reteemabe at any lime after thirty years from
their date, at the pleasure the Government.
| SEC 2. And be IL further enacted, That any CON
tract which said Postn aster General may make under
this act shall be in writing and the same, after being
executed by the arties shall he reported Congress
by said Postmaster General, with such evidence of
guaranty and security may be given by the Com
panies contracted with, to be approved OF Ivy Con
gress and such contract, made as aforesaid, shall
be Of any force effect, be binding upon either Of
the parties who may execute the same until 1t shall
have been exanlned approved, and accepted by JOINT
resolution or by laws OF Congress, nor shall the same
20 into operation until Congress shall have provided
the for fulfilling the stipulations on the part of
the United STATES.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,