Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-11-29
THE p. NJ. GENERAL AND THE EXPIRES


THE p. M. GENERAL AND THE EXPIRES
SEES AS piece Of sess Of the day. we puhlish
the foIlowi defence ofihe Pet Mesier General in
his course relative to expresses he may be doing
hi. duty under The law; bu, ifhe is ,hnlsw making
], hp duty might he amended or repealed. We take
This view Of the subject All laws were intended
promote the hspi and hs-i interests Of the
people. When they fail 10 do that they are oppressive
Under exsung laws, if The Post Master General 40
crect IN hw construction of them. The post Office
in the segrey gate mpre unerons than benef
md would he better abolished Than susia in~d.-
More could be done b, private enterprise. and .,
outlay 10 the people. more speed could be
oboined. and better system secured.
Pvsr OFEIcK DSPARrMExr,
Nov. Is. lS43.
john LoRrNER GRAHAM ESQ.
Postmaster At New Yvrk.
Sir-Yonr several communication enclosing
to me ir'a time To time. ma; Of the articles in the
newspapers Of your etiy and other places tonrhins
The circular which fell ), my ocial duty lo address
"a conirae ors Tor transporting the public mails, in
'eereLce To private expresses charged in Transport
ing letiers. &c IN vinlahn Of the laws Of Congress.
over mail rOuies and also in reference Co the Ira,s-
poriaiion out 81 the mail. by cusrractors, were
received by me in Kentucky A conine mcnt 10
my bed for several weeks prevented me at the time
ir'm replying TO you. or in any manner noticing
The violent assaults upon my motives contained IN
nany of the articles forw arded me.
have too Fruiound respect for the just influence
which we'll regulated press exerls npon the COM
m"niiy. 10 be inscDsible % its censUres upon my
pabl'c &c private art and have heeu educaied an
that schoo Of poluics which taught me to regard
the liberty OF the press essential 20 the mamie
nance Of popular rights Consequently. I have been
ever ready as public or private ezen. Co sustain
my due Tnporiion Of lis eenIiousn.s -, unmovec n,
lis abuse aud nndaunled IN the pursuit OF what
believe 10 be right.
The senseless einmor that my courre has been
dictated by desire suppress The circulannn Of
newspapers-io dam up the channels of IIigcuce
smoag the peoples worthy only the authors of
such illusions. and receive from me no other
notice.
have been charged with the administration of
the Pos Office Department src..rding To the laws
which the Congress of the United Saies have passed
and IL these laws iniracied and I:.vaded, and
the iacis official ". in this case brought 90 nv
notice. am not per lifted 10 omit the dIsrharee of
my "ffrisl duty fer fear thai sn0uld personally
incur the censure Of those who have for cal or for
wo. at this lime the conduct OF particular journals
Neither could save myselffrnm just abic cehsure
bv the plea 10 true in larI that other postmaster
generals had not. in this particular case performed
their duty. The law. To my mind. Was plaIn and us
constant violation. % the injury Of revenue Of The
Departments. was brought tony nsiee by oiiirlal
reporis OF pnsimasiers, agents and contractors.
The qnes'isn raised ia my circular letter 10 con-
tractors. and letters ITSELF am happy ffd. were.
IN my ahsen6e. very properly referred by Presi-
dent 10 the Attorney General for hs opinon. Thai
officer and able jdr'sr fully snsaHs The Department
in the cuuIse adopted. copy of his oplninn send
you, and express a hope thai tlsse who have from
n aff.s .4..tss
other motive. undertaken TO quesli"n the legality Of
The course whirh have pursued, will publish this
opinion ~ the Attorney General.
In ile circular letter, Go which exceptions have
been inken by portion OF The PressI have proposed
To do Tor the circulation Of newspapers. all which
the law pernns me 10 do. II any editor contract
os wishes 10 send newspapers out OF lie mail, and
will apply ios this privilege. ~ will be granted, as
contemplated by The act o 1892 { pleased 10
say 10 yon that persons ore eonsiderafe, IL moi more
regardiu Uf1he laws ofihe land % snme " hsvs
reeklessly assalled my motives.have aireasy applied
LOT suef privilege. aud AZ has been gsaIsIed 0fon
terms just. lair aud satisfactory.
So lDng Il shall please Congress 10 continue ia
force the laws in existence for the government
OF this department. shall endeavOr 10 eblOrce them
The department Is required by these laws 10 snslau
itself by Ills own incUme. Ill were TO fold my arm.
and close my eyes. and permit these inroads upon
us legitimate revenuei (every cent OF which. If col
ecisd, Is MOI more Than eqsai It's expenditures
would fail IN my duty. and subject myself the ius
censure of The public. for whose benefit desire %
administer the laws made by The Representatives o
The people. for the government OF The department
Should IL please future Congress 10 regulate Thin
suhJeci. 50 as TO permit all newspapers Ia pass free
postage, nr 10 reduce The rates Of postage the same
vigilance and mparlaliy in the execution Of the Ia ",
50 far and 50 long as they may be entrusted To- m,
hands, will: be observed.
am W iIh respect. your ob't servant.
(Signed) CHARLES A. WICKLIFFE.