The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-11

concerned has resulted in loss of near wothirds
the revenue under the old system and increase of
cost OF management equal to 80 per cent.
These facts will that the tax in the shape
Of postage, upon the English correspondence has been
essenedtlat the postage upon apeTs paid in the
shape OF stamp duty, higher than the postage paid Oh
the United States that the
through the mail has been increased and that the rev
derived to the crown has been greatly essened. And
they further prove, that the income Of the British
Office is still greater than its cost of management Two
should not he overlooked in the Comparison
the oihe British Post Office under the old and
of postage The first is, tina not only all To-
reign and colonial letters which delivered in England
but those which pass through England in their transit
and from other countries are subjected 10 neaVy post
age. The second that by law the transportation oil let
tiers by private convey except where the carrier
shall himself deliver the letter to the person addressed
prohibited BY severe penalties.
If the British crown did not need the revenue, If
did and the subject willing to be taxed in the form OF
stamp duty excise equal to the reduction of the rate OF
postage equal and less burdensome ill
question this right, and the justice OF yielding to the de-
mand TO have the postage reduced.
If the Post Office Department of the United States yield
ed its expenses or II the charge of its
management was paid from the general treasury
would doubt the propriey and justice of reduction.
is question for Congress and the people to settle
whether they will far change the laws Of the United
States concerning the Post Office Department to direct
its expenses to be paid out OF the Treasury.
The number of chageable letters deliv cred which
nuay pass through the Post Office of the United States
has heretofore been estimated at 207 pa The number
similar letters annually posted in England under the
old rates OF postage was estimated d! the committee oil
Parliament at II 500 900.
The number under the penny rate of like Letters
be estimated AT 2Ol,33I,bio.
With view to put Congress in possession of correct
information upon this subject have directed accurate
account to be kept at each post office Of the United states
der each rate of postage the number OF free letters and
b, what official iranked the number OF newspapers PAM
phles SC. These returns are not quite complete hope
have them ready by the LIST January to be furnished to
Congress if required.
The questions connected with this subject it to
which will be the duty Of the representatives of the
people settle, whether the present amount OF mail
service is greater than the country requresl If not
perOrmed at less expensei Whether at
the or less EXPENSE shall be paid out oil the lrea
sury, or by the postage on mail matter!
II Congress shall enter upon the quesson OF reduction
of postage upon the principle avowed by the advocates
ofthe British reform, viz OF preserving not Improving
the of revenue and shall require the Post Once
Department to maintain itself the information which
hope have ready by the LIST OF January OF the number
OF letters posted Will be important
BY a comparison between the business and population
| and extent of territory OF the two Governments, and
comparison between the number OF letters posted in both
countries under the respective rates an estimate oil the
probable of posted letters in this country upon
pro rata reduction o. may De fnu sxa h
amount required to deay the expenses ofhe mail system
| of the United States.
IT, however shall be the pleasure OF CongraSs to fol
low the example of the British Government by placing
the expenditures of the Department an annual charge
upon the public Treasury and by bringing to the and oil
that Treasury whatever of postage be collected the
report number of letters which now pass through
the mail, can be OF little consequence.
This change of system will simplify the operations
of the service The amount required Tor the service OF
each current year. in the opinion of each Congress- will
be appropriated from the Treasury The postage collect
ed iii be paid into the Treasury The Department thus
protected and sustained will continue the sphere oil lis
operations, limited only by the amount appropriated,
have deemed duty to present to your view CENTER
tanning hope that you will submit 1t to Congress TINS
synopsis OF facts dgested from the best sources within
my possession and leave the question oil reduction oil
postage without any recommendation OF mine to be de-
cded that department OF the government to which the
people have wisely delegated the power
II Congress should not determine to make the reduction
postage the indicated by the views and pub
ished opinions of those who have agtated the subject
would respectfully recommend MS have done on former
occasions that the present rates OF postage be SO changed
correspond with the coins OF the United States
There large class OF printed matter such as hand.
bills the prospectus of newspaper prices current the
ings lotteries proof sheets &C. charged with
postage which ought to pay higher rates than
| newspapers and pamphiets. just discrimination be-
tween newspapers to size weight should be made
in the imposition Of postage.
The ranking privilege if not abolished altogether,
should in way be restricted, and its abuse checked
There other notifications OF the existing laws which
will doubt present themselves TO the consideration of
Congress- whose enactments, whatever they may be,
will be administered, far that duty shall be devoved
on me- in the spirit in which they may be passed,
with view sngly TO promote the intentions OF Congress,
advance and extend the usefulness of this Depart
ment to every section of the country
| am, sir with great respect yours
G. A. WICKLIFFE.
| To the President OF THE UNITED STATES