The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-08

scnlatives OF the people settle are whether the
present amount Of mail service 10 greater than the
country requires' fnot greater, il be perform
ed al less expense Whether al the same or les,
pense, shall II be paid out Of tho Tessu, or by the
postage on mail Matterf
Congress shall enter upon the question Of re-
ducton Of postage upon the principle syowed by the
advocates Of the British reform viz OF preserving
NOV Improving inc amount oil revenue, aud shall
qure the Post Office Department 10 maintain itself
The Information which | hope to have ready by the
Isl January Of the number Of letters posted viii be
important.
ny comparison between the business and popula-
on a"d extent OF territory OF the two Governments
anu comparison between the number of letters post
CD III both countries, under the respective rates an
estimate OF The probable increase OF posted letters in
'his country upon pro rata reduction Of postage,
may Dc made, and that rate of postage may be ascer-
eu, "hi'h VIII give The amount required To de-
States
however, II shall be the pleasure of Congress to
io'o" Tue example Of The British Government, by
placing the expenditures of the Department as an an
nua. cnarse upon inc public Treasury, and by bring
ing 70 the AID OF That Treasury whatever of postage
may be collected the report Of the number Of letters
which now pass through the mail, can be of little
consequence.
This change OF system will simplify the operations
OF 'he service The amount required f,r the service
Of each current year. in the opinion of each Congress-
VIII be appropriated from the Treasury. The post
age collected will be paid into the Treasury The
department, thus protected aud sustained will con-
nue The sphere OF its operations, limited only BY the
amount appropriated.
have deemed il duty to present TO your view,
(entertalnlng hope that you will submit il 10 Con-
gress this synopsis of facts dgested from the best
sources within my possession, and leave the question
OF reduction OF postage, without any recommends
lion Of mine, to DO decided by that Department of
the Government 10 which the people have wisely
delegated the power.
II Congress should not determine TO make the re-
ducton of postage TO the extent indicated by the
views and published opinions Of those who have agi-
tated the subject, would respectfully recommend,
as have done on former occasions that the present
rates of postage be changed as to correspond with
the coins Of the United States.
There is large class Of printed matter, such as
hand-bills, the prospectus of newspaper, prices
current the drawings of lotteries, proof sheets &c.
now charged with letter postage, which ought not
pay higher rates than newspapers and pamphlets. A
just discrimination between new papers as to size
or weight, should be made in the imposition of post
age.
The irankng privilege il not abolished altogether,
should IN some way be restricted and It's abuse check
ed
There are other notifications of the existing laws
which will doubt present themselves TO the con-
sderalion Of Congress, whose enactments, whatever
they may be, will be administered, so far as that duty
shall be devolved on me, in the same spirit in which
they may be passed, with view sngiy to promote
the intentions OF Congress- and to advance and cx-
tend the usefulness of this Department to every sec
ton of the country.
am, sir, with great respect, yours,
c. A. WICKLIFFE.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.