New-York daily tribune., 1843-11-23
The Postmaster General and the Press.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
18Th lstS

NOVEMBER lSth 1913.
JONI LoRlMER GRAHAM, Esq, Postmaster at New OK,
Sir-Your several communications, enclosing 10 NE,
from le time many the articles III the newspapers 0i
your city and Of other places touching the circular which
elt it my official duty address TO contractors Tor trans
porting the public mails reference 10 pyae expresses
engaged In transporting letters &c violation Of the laws
Of Congress- mail and also IN references TO the
transportation of newspapers out Of the mall BY Contract
ors, received By in Kentucky A confinement 10
bsd for several weeks prevented az the time from
plying you any noticing the violent assaults
upon my contained IN many OF the articles Tor
warded me.
have TOO profound respect for the lust influence which
well regulated press upon the community 10 De
iuseusibe upon my public or private
and have been educated in toa school Of politics wnich
taught regard the liberty Of the press as essential 10
the main ainaGce Of popular rights Consequently nave
been ready public private citizen 10 sustain N
due proportion Of It's csntousness uEmo'ed oy us Io"
and uudua,ed in the pursuit of what believe TO be
The seueles clamor that course has been dictated D!
desire 10 suppress the circulation of newspaPersto dam
up the channels Of intelligence among the peoPe- worthy
only the authors Of such 1u.on', and can receive from w
no other notice.
have been charged with the administration OF the fosi
Office Department according tina laws which hs Congress
of the United States have passed and II these laws are
fraced and vaded and the facts are ohciay, ~ ms
case brought TO notice not permitted 70 oh1 Ii's
discharge Of official duty for fear that should
incur the of those who have for veal or of wo 81
this the conduct Of particular journals Neither eouu
save myself from public censuTe oy the plea, uu'
in fact that other Postmaster Generals had not IN hs pa
cua. performed their duty The law, 10 my H,inc
was plain and violation 10 the INJURY ol the
revenue Of the Department, was oTo"gh 20 II! notice oS
OFFICIAL reports of Postu,asters Agents and Contractors
The question raised my circular letter TO contractors
and the letter itself, happy TO hnd were IN m! 30
sence properly referred BY the fresident 10 me to
new General for his opinion That ofcer and aoe uts
fuv sustained the Department IN the course adopted
copy of his opinion send and express hope that those
who have from Of public duty or from the hlueh'1
Of any other motive undertaken 20 question the Legality o
the course which have pursued will publish this opinot
of the Attorney General.
In the circular which EXCEPTIONS have been se
by portion Of the press have proposed TO DO toF the Cur
culation Of newspapers all which the Law permits me 20 DO
any editor contractor wishes to send OUT
the mail and will apply for this privilege be granted
as contemplated bv the Of 1885 am pleased TO say "
Won that persons considerae if not more Teadiui
the laws of the land than who have recEessy assae'
nv motives already applied for such privilege an"
has been granted upon ust far aud
SO long shall please Congress TO continue IN oree W
laws now existence for the government oil tis department
shall erdearor TO enforce them The department is required
to fold nv arms and close my eyes and permit these nroad
urou its legitimate revenue very of which, collect
ed is not moe than equal its e1pend.tnre) would fail II
nv DUTY and subject myself to the Just censure OF the pub
lie for whose benefit desire administer the laws made b.
the representatives OF the people for the government OF tn
department.
Should it please future Congress TO regulate this sub
ect 50 as permit all newspapers to pass Tree OF postage
or TO reduce the postage the vigilance and I'm
partiav in the of the laws so lar and so long
they NAV be entrusted my hands, will be observed
| am with respect your ob't servant,
(Sicnsd CHARLES A. WICkLIFFE.