The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-20
From The .Ntw York Erenir. Post.
THE POST OFFICE, AND THE POST
OFFICE REpORw
r. c. CAMPBELL

The report e the Postmaster General which We
published yesterday, should be read by all who desire
10 make ~ an opinion for themselves the question,
whs, changes shall be made in our Post Office regu.
lations for that change must be made all agree
MI Wicklihc, whatever we may think of some OF
conclusions, has tnken the fair and proper course
OF furnishing Congress with Information rather than
plying them with argument
The report lays II down as rule that the Pos,
Office DEPARTMENT should he supported 10y ns own
income. This Is right, and II is not right; in one
point Of view u is usi position in another u Is not.
II be meant that they who receive letters and ness-
pipss should lay the fair expense Of their transpor-
tauon by mail, We agree 10 II. There - no reason
Why the Government should establish line OF NEE
sengos 10 convey for nothing Cor less than s pru-
yer cost the le tors which Pass between New York
IN reliant and bis correspondent at New OrleAns-
We rather think thai IN sl u not all Of those who De.
sIre reduction Of the rates II postage, or bt leas
liberalization Of our Poet Office system would. on
reflection, ascot to this view Of tie subject There
l., as II seems To us, no more reason Why the Gov
eminent should ry letters and newspapers for less
than II Is worth, than there Is why should sttempt
10 underbd the MANIPULATION Companies in carrying
flour oher 10 tran port bibles and school books on
lower terms than any bvdy else.
But fit Is meant that They who send receive let
tsrs and papers should also lay the expense Of con.
vcyng that huge mass OF corresponds and pampl-
es. which Is now covered by the thanking privilege,
we can by no means assem- 10 II. Those who isk q
this ground. are ia favor OF compelling persons no, IN
ote, who receive lcltos and pintci papers by mail
& pay more th'n II actually costs Tins plan loads
ID not only vi h the expense Of their own postage
but also with hat Of thousands who hold ce under
the UDTed States Government, and who exercise
their privilege most latishy. bet what Justice b.
there IN this BY " al rule Of equity D. the poor
nan in the Atlantic Stabs who receives letter from
hs son in Iowa made 10 fsy the expense Of taking
Washii gion heavy packet Of prtItops and recon-
mendatons sddfe -sed TO the President by who Is
ambitious 10 serve his country in pubic ofh,e
Why should subscriber TO q monthly magaz ne b
madr 10 Jay the expense Of crcuaii Oges spcsohe,
ur any other mans sp oches
In ihIs point Of view, u Is not Just that the % s Of
fee should be made TO support itself Let the Gov
ernment pay its own postage individuals ore obi O.
ed 10 DO. W y he Necessary that members Of Con.
grefs should lossess the Thanking privilege let ih.,
postage I've betrayed out Of the Treasury Of the Un
I'd ates II IL 10 charged ugon the CORES oodencs
Of individuals becomes tar upon the written CON.
munWaton between man and man, a restraint upor
| he fee expression and exchange Of thought which
= Gov Tnment has no right to impose Men are frs,
comp ed, Ivy restrictions and penalties, to copduc,
tbc couesI ondence through the post Office and lher
tared IN such a manner 10 make their corfe.pon cd
enco inf oqu,nt. What shall eo have nert1 IA,
upon oral communication probably, tar upon con.
versatiou.
Tnis frank ing privilege Is great obstacle in the
way Of pot office reform. We fear the members of
Congress II mover consent either 10 abolish Il or "a
put il upon juster footing IL ~ claimed. IL ops
rates with them sort Of bride retain the present
system with all it's abuses.
The report contains brief and clear statement, OF
the results Of the post office reform in England. !,