The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-10-05

smuggling. The smuggler receives no sympathy
when he IS detected because ne is engaged in cheat
ING the Government out OF lis just due, and deiraud
ing the honest importer.
1t has been the policy Of the United States TO place
| The Post Office Department upon its own resource
to require 1t TO raise by postage, the TO de ra,
its expenses. To do this rate OF postage upon let
ters and newspapers has been fixed by law, aud the
Postmaster General IS required TO this law exc.
euted. II violated like him at tie head of the Gus
TOMS he is bound TO have prosecuted its violators In
| what differs the turpitude Of the act (except in
amounO OF him who cheats by violating the revenue
law, the Government out Of lis just dues, by snug
| Cling, and of him who cheats The same Government
out Of its postage, by wilful violation of the Post
Oihce law In the one case the honest importer is
deirauded; IN the other he who faithfully paws his
| postage and obeys the law is injured, the Depart
meni deprived of its revenue, and unable TO extend
It's useful operations with the growing wants of the
| community.
In aid OF these general remarks and beside calling
to your notice the laws above referred to- bee leave
70 refer you TO The spnalions Of your bond this
Department, by which 1t will be seem that YOU have
coVenanted not TO transport any person persons en-
| gagged In carrying mail matter out of the mail
When complaints have been made to some CON
| tractors OF violation Of law in the above parcu
lars, but little heed has been given, and the answer
most generally returned is that thew do not kao,c of
such violation little attention and wholesome in
struction to your agents. would enable you to detect
| these vlolators
| That these agents expresses carry matter daily
which, by law, should so in the mail, | presume
| there exist no doubt Under what terms they
| pass and repass your road is unknown TO ne -
You have right to inquire. May not hope for
your united effort to project the revenue of the De-
! partment?
| practice has grown up of sending newspapers in
the cars and steamboats, employed 10 transport the
| mail. This is right claimed by editors 9TH
ers have addressed letters to their subscribers and
invited them TO receive their papers in this way in
| preference to the mail This is subject which has
given rise to no small portion Of abusive dcnuncia-
| zion OF the head of this Department.
This right is claimed Tor the cheap or penny pa
pers, as they called The laws of Congress have
made distinction between newspapers. The post
age is imposed upon all newspapers without regard to
their size price, and all alike must share the same
fate in the mail.
1t is true the act of 1925 has authorized the Post
master General, IN making contracts for the ranspora
ton Of the mail to authorize the contractor, under
certain conditions, to carry newspapers out of the
mail. Without such privilege, such right exists,
and the contractor who carries them violates his con-
tract with the Department.
This privilege, when granted, should constitute an
! Ingredient IN the contract.
That such privilege, upon many Of the railroad
and steamboat routes and indeed upon other routes,
would be advantageous alike the publisher and the
public is conceded; but it must be granted upon ap-
pcation aud specific terms. IT, therefore, any pub
Usher wishes to convey newspapers your line
out OF The mail, he should make application to you,
state the name and number Of papers, daily, or other
wise; and upon your report and application to this
Department. the terms upon which it can be done
Will be made known which terms will be equally
applicable TO all papers.
You are requested to report to this Department,
when known TO you or your agent, monthly the name
and number OF newspapers which daily Transport
ted over your line, by your agents, cut of the mail
and between what places.
am, respectfully, yours,
c. A. WiCKLIFFE,
Postmaster General.