The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-26

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ten cents for fact in agriculture chemistry or some
other branch of philosophical knowledge Is there any
justice in thisf Should not the nhabsnt of the region
the Rocky Mountains be able to procure scientific
knowledge at cheap rate at all events the
Of the day? Ought not the citizen to receive by the
government conveyances scientific intelligence at least
low rate Of postage that which be Of service
to him, and only ministers to a morbid curiosy-a de-
PRAYED tastel As the clause relative the penal
actments, have not much to say They command at
tenton-nobody cares for hem-they are utterly absurd
and should be at once abolished Mr. Benjamin: then
briefly alluded in terms OF appreciation to the system adj
vocated in this oua-the prepayment OF all letters and
newspapers.
The resolutions having been seconded,
PHILo II. MILLS Esq. rose and said-The resolutions
having been seconded take the liberty to pri
vege which but for the absence of Others would not
have DONE The only wonder that the people of this
country have submitted the postSoce system long
indeed sir matter Of establishment that they have
done So Nothing is wanted but for the people to show
the that they ready to sustain their rights
If they had done Soft they had protested against the
post Office system have done for the last 20 years.
would not have required to wait long for redress II is
only from want Of cooperation among the people, 10
other that this has not been agitated and
Post Office Department would consent that tax should
be imposed for that purpose There abundant objects
for which taxes raised and there objects for
which taxes may be raised; but to tax knowledge in
America thing utterly antagonist to the genius of
Institutions, that cannot refrain from expressing my
establishment that the present oppressive and unequal
measure which affects the people, either partially or To-
cally 1t is mixed up with business, and penerates
through every relation of life from end of the
try to the other am happy to find that we are now
waking up to a of its oppressive character and
such terms as to ensure the speedy attention of
that body to demands. II matters not and 10 not
think necessary that this meeting should 60 into de-
tails as to how much postage ought to be charged how
distances ought to be rated The postage will be very
cheap indeed when it becomes too low Let it be brought
down low Congress may please to fix it, and will
still be high enough for the peope.-(Cheers) II
disgrace that the people should be compelled to meet for
the resistance of such an imposition as this To see
tnur OOm ROstOD
another from Albany another from Philadelphia, and
other from Baltimore, all ofthem containing or less
and nothing else than what Mr. Wicklie is pleased
to term 'maabe matter is a sufficient commentary upon
the present post office system is to the Inconvenience
less; but all know that they are done, and what is the
consequence? Why, that whilst system is upheld by
Congress- calculated to drive citizens to this under
hand and might be called if you choose, illicit business,
the not only does not profit by its continuance
but is actually dead loser # hostages
able they ought to be- maabe matter would go ex.
ccpt through the mail II would then be for the interest
OF all to unite in encouraging the Post Oe Department
they would know that the continuance of the cheap
system would, to certain extent depend upon the in
creased amount OF correspondence &c. which would &C.
cason contend that these facts selfevident and is
bad that the people should be driven eXped
ens to avoid an odous imposition when enlarged policy
would not only render such but actually
the same time enrich the Members Of Congress-
generally have been too busy occupied for years
past with less important matters to attend to this but
how commercial representatives have allowed it to slum
Der so long am free to confess, is utterly beyond my
comprehension. trust sincerely that when the question
comes before Congress- all spirit of party will be dropped
that will be considered question of the people Be
assured that nothing is wanted ensure successful
to petitions but effort One united appeal
is sure to be followed by the desired change Let us go
the community of New York be heard on this important
question Ahoughit is subject in which all are nte
rested it must of necessity, bear hardest in community
such Let then, delegation Of the merchants Of
this city go to Washington lay their petition before Con-
gress, and its prayer will be granted without much
delay.
The question on the adoption of the petition
being then presented
JAMES LEE, Esq. and sad-Mr. Chairman, having
in at late period Of the meeting am not acquaint
ed with what has been done the subject but there
certain portions of that memorial which think cacu
lated to mar the object which we have view a1de to
ing privilege. Now, Mr. Chairman think it would be
hard matter to compel members of Congress to pay
the postage Of all letters semitic them by their constituents
and friends We cannot expect them to be disposed to
support measure which is likely to take money out of
their pockets. Now propose lift the approval of
tee, to be appointed by the chair to draw up memorial
to Congress- such as every man sign and which will
meet the general appreciation Of all classes and thinkers
the subject Of opinion that the language Of the pre-
sent memorial is too strong and if we hope to carry out
Dr. LEWIS Japan said-That he thought large and in
fuentia committee ought to be appointed to correspond
with committees in all parts ofthe country and to coate
and report facts upon this important subject The ques
ton here is not so much ,pha ought to be DONE how
we ought to do it and think that by the course pro-
pose much valuable information may be procured which
would forfy when the question under the consi
Iteration Of Congress. ! believe that if the commercial
and literary interests take the matter up and pub
sh their deliberations and views upon this subject
would have the effect of numerous meetings being called
all over the country pun agree with gentlemen; who have
circumstances in which country is placed
very different from what they when this privilege
however if had not been grossly abused although
its very existence was abuse. ! deny that it
ed under the ranking privilege and satisfied Of
this it enough Of itself to urge to have abolished
will aude to another abuse concerning this city pecu
iary mean the charge oftwo cents postage to the low
part Of the city This oppression for which
be offered and say that it ought to be
resisted. There ought to be meeting Of the merchants
here on that point alone concerns this lcy only
In regard TO the general object for which we are
now met ! would say, that many important facts
quenaes Ike beneficial Consequences which have
resulted to that country from its adoption, and keep in
view that when that system introduced there, the
franking privilege was wholly done away with. There
not of the realm who can send letter through
the post office without first placing the penny stamp or
what is there called the Queens head" upon it, He
has privilege in that respect than the poorest old
woman in the country heard a gentleman setting
say little while ago, that the franking privilege
arstocratc privilege, which ought to be abolished
say So too. Whilst then, coming before Congress
for change in the post office system let not that OBJ
noXous part OF the present system be forgotten As re-
marked before let have committee of literary and
commercial men, consisting of ten persons who will at
another meeting bring forward digest of facts the
subject. This think is our course.
HORACE was opposed 10 Mr.. Lees Suggestion
He wished prompt action, which would be defeated,
less the petition Immediately circulated for sigma
lures and besides he was opposed in toto to the frank
ing privilege Let members of Congress be paid enough
TO cover their expenses of postage but don't let any
poor widow in the country be taxed for that purpose
EDMUND CHARLES Esq, then rose and said MIR. Chair.
man, although am very humble laborer in this import
cause yet trust may be permitted to say without
mourning the risk of presumption that | come forward
with thorough knowledge of the subject. 1t is to
which have been heart and soul attached for years past
Ny friends indeed tell me that it is with me onomana
do not RISE however with the intention Of entering into
minute discussion of the subject presenting any a
Office Reform My object is to induce my friend, who
proposed the appointment of committee to draft
memorial to modify his notion agree with him that
should at present refrain from meddng with the frank
ing privilege. say let first reduce the postage and
diminish the value Of the ranking privilege Iear,
hear Once gain this great object the reduction OF
postage, and then take measures for gaining
dcaton of the frankng privilege its total abolition